FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DeWayne Carter
DeWayne Carter (DL – Duke)
6’3″ – 305 lbs.
Background:
Three-star recruit who redshirted his first year, then rotated into the defense with 11 tackles and a sack the following year. Since then, has been a starter on Duke’s defensive line, with 36-7.5-4.5 as a sophomore, 36-11.0-5.5 in his junior campaign and 41-3.5-1.0 this past year.
Positives:
Team captain and three-year starter. Has a solid build for a pro lineman, with good thickness. Often lined up as a one-technique during the games reviewed but gets moved around quite a bit; usually the right defensive tackle on even fronts and will move to a five-technique end on three-man lines. Shows good suddenness out of his stance, and fires out with a relatively low pad level. Generally does a good job of keeping his shoulders square and flowing toward the ball. Active with his hands to shed blocks in the run game, and has the power to discard opponents. Has above-average lower-body strength to anchor at the line, with good leverage. Lateral quickness to sift through traffic is above average. Shows a very good motor in pursuit, whether when defending outside rushing attempts or chasing down screens. As a pass-rusher, flashes the ability to grind down interior offensive linemen with his bull rush when he gets his feet churning. Draws some extra attention from blockers at times. Bends a pretty smooth arc when rushing off the edge. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes and has been able to bat down 11 over the past three years. Forced seven career fumbles.
Negatives:
Didn’t make quite the impact as a senior that he did in 2022. Sometimes his desire to get early penetration can undermine the team’s run fits; would like to see a bit more patience. May lack ideal length to make tackles when engaged. Has missed about a quarter of his career tackles, and that’s been a consistent issue throughout his career. Leg drive as a bull-rusher could be more consistent. Doesn’t seem to have many counters in his repertoire, and tends to idle around the line trying to bat passes when his initial move doesn’t work. May not have the ideal frame for some odd defensive fronts at the next level.
Summary:
An experienced defensive lineman with a well-developed frame, good functional strength and above-average athleticism, traits which could make him part of a pro defensive line rotation relatively early in his career. So far, it looks like his biggest priorities should be playing with more patience to better function as part of the team’s run fits and adding to his repertoire of rush moves and counters on passing downs. Sort of a jack-of-all-trades type with some schematic versatility, which could get him looks relatively early on the third day.
Projection: Round 3-4
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