FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Caelen Carson
Caelen Carson (CB – Wake Forest)
6’0″ – 195 lbs.
Background:
Caelen Carson stepped into a starting role in the second game of the shortened 2020 season, allowing just 16/36 passing (44.4%) for 107 yards, one touchdown, one interception and two passes defended. His 2021 season ended in Week 10, having allowed 19/39 (48.7%) for 240 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and five breakups. Missed several games in the middle of the 2022 season (eight games played on the year), finishing having allowed 20/32 passing (62.5%) for 218 yards, one touchdown and seven breakups. Wasn’t quite as effective this year, allowing 36/64 (56.3%) for 436 yards, four touchdowns and four breakups.
Positives:
Was a four-year starter who’s provided consistent play since arriving at school. Plays a lot of traditional man coverage, usually from a backpedal, where he shows clean footwork. The team trusted him to shadow some of the high-level receivers they played this year. Overall speed and agility appear to be solid. Has solid route recognition skills and some twitchy elements. Sniffs out screens and shorter breaking routes quickly with clean transitions out of his backpedal to limit yards after the catch. Shows the ability to get physical with opposing receivers and disrupt their timing. Good hand placement allows him to stay connected when covering routes down the field. A willing run supporter who reacts quickly and brings some physicality. Attacks blocks with aggression in the run/screen games and also has good short-area quickness to slip past some opponents. Has typically been a solid tackler.
Negatives:
His frame appears to be a little bit on the thinner side. Functional strength is closer to average. Can get overly physical down the field, which could lead to penalties. Sits on some shorter routes and doesn’t have the most explosive recovery speed if the route ends up going down the field. Could be more consistent about getting his head around to locate, which can impact his ability to make plays on the ball at times. On-ball production was just okay for a corner who played a lot of man coverage. Doesn’t always effectively square up opponents as a tackler. Has missed some time due to injury, so durability could be a minor question.
Summary:
A four-year starter who plays with a physical, competitive temperament and was asked to execute some harder assignments than usual for a college cornerback, including shadowing high-end receivers in man coverage. His route recognition skills are solid. His willingness and instincts in run support will be pluses for teams as well. Has gotten some second-day hype. In a deep cornerback class, though, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up slipping more into the early part of day three. Played mostly man in college, but tackling/run support could work in a cover-2-based defense as well.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
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