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Scouting Report-If you came to this scouting report expecting a lot of flowery talk and technical breakdowns, walk away now. Carrington is a big strong football player. He's one of those players who, if you are an offensive lineman you tell them to pack a lunch because it's going to be a long day. Carrington has great size to make him a player at end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 base defense, and is strong enough to move inside next to a big NT and play the UT in the 4-3. He's got some technical flaws to his game, including his pass rush technique and ability to clear out blockers, but let's be honest. That's not what NFL teams are going to ask him to do. He's a space eater and his powerful push will make life easier for players behind him. His upper body strength allows him to get up under bigger offensive linemen and force them backwards, crumble the pocket. As I said, he's not an edge rush kind of guy, so you stick him on the strong side and let him play the run, where he can clog run lanes, and work to get after the ball carrier.
Draft Status-Carrington had a great week at the Senior Bowl, and showed that even though he played against lower level competition, that his physical tools translate and his production was no fluke. At this point, with the number of 3-4 teams in the NFL, he looks to be a solid 2nd round pick.
Final Analysis-I know that most have put Carrington down as a 3-4 DE and nothing more, and I get that. But I don't think that means only a 3-4 team would draft him. He's got that nice mix of size, speed, and strength that teams fall for. As I said, don't expect to be wowed with his wide variety of pass rush moves, or his production against top talent. But in a league that covets it's great athletes, Carrington is one of those guys. He's probably a year away from being a starter in the league, because he's got to work in some technique with those tremendous physical gifts, but I have no doubt he has potential to start in the league. I think it would be very interesting to see how he could do in the right 4-3 system as an end, playing the run more than the pass.
Reminds me of: Brett Keisel, DE Pittsburgh Steelers-Similar size, solid run defender, and spotty as a pass rusher in the 3-4 but makes things happen behind him with his power and intensity.
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Scouting Report written by Curt Popejoy |
