Andre Carter II, EDGE Army: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Carter was a two-star recruit from Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Conn. in the class of 2019 who didn’t receive a national ranking or grade

Army edge rusher Andre Carter II has come a long way from his days as a high school tight end. The fourth-year sensation could become the first player in program history to reach 30 career sacks if he matches the pace he set in 2021. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Carter has the potential to be Army’s highest-selected prospect since at least the 1970s.

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Andre Carter II, EDGE Army: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior outside linebacker from Missouri City, Texas

Background: Carter was a two-star recruit from Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Conn. in the class of 2019 who didn’t receive a national ranking or grade. He began his high school career at Temecula (Calif.) Vista Murietta before a stint at Ridge Point High in Missouri City, Texas. Carter suffered a season-ending back injury during his 2017 senior year, which cleared the path for him to attend the college preparatory school, Cheshire Academy. He played tight end for most of high school before playing both offense and defense at Cheshire Academy.

2021 Production: 13 games, 41 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 59 pressures, 14.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 2 passes defensed, 1 blocked field goal

2020 Production: 10 games, 14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 12 pressures, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed

2019 Production: 0 games

Injuries & Off-Field: Suffered a season-ending back injury in 2017, subject to Army eligibility rules

Awards: 2021 Third-Team All-American (Associated Press)

Pros: Explosive get-off, his frame can support more weight, surprising balance for a player his size, uses his footwork to setup an inside-outside move to soften the tackle’s outside shoulder, also works the reverse with an outside-inside step that helps win the tackle’s inside shoulder, always open to taking interior rush lanes, over 100 reps in coverage over the past two years, gains solid depth when asked to drop in coverage, moves well in space despite his tall build, long arms help as a rusher and to clog passing lanes, instances of using spin and swim moves, enough linear speed to make pursuit tackles on play-side WR screens, high volume of forced fumbles, long strides threaten tackles’ outside shoulders, beat Missouri’s Javon Foster on an inside swim move, flashes good bend for his size

Cons: Committed four penalties in 2021, only significant special teams experience is on the field goal block unit, has a lean lower half, naturally gives up leverage, took plenty of snaps from wide 9 and 7-tech alignments in a two-point stance that he might not see in the NFL, hand usage doesn’t take full advantage of his arm length, desire to produce sacks leads to him giving up rushing lanes, needs to successfully deploy spin and swim moves more often, finished to the ground more often than preferable, concerns about his anchor and ability to set the edge against the run, bend flashed but was inconsistent

Overview: Carter is unofficially listed at 6'7", 260 lbs. He unofficially weighed 230 lbs. as a college freshman but has added 30 lbs. since joining the Black Knights. Carter applied pressure on roughly 20.1% of his pass rush snaps in 2021. The former two-star recruit is credited with running a 4.2-second short shuttle, which would’ve ranked eighth out of more than 100 participants at the 2022 NFL Combine. For reference, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson ran a 4.15. One of the best plays on Carter’s tape came on a trick pass play against Air Force. He recognized the wide receiver on a jet sweep was looking to throw back to the quarterback, who leaked out of the backfield. Carter stayed home at the handoff, recognized the play, turned to follow the quarterback, and squared his shoulder to the ball, which he tipped into the hands of a defensive back. He moves surprisingly well in space, which helps in coverage and pursuit. Carter has an explosive first step and long strides, which set him up to win either of the tackle’s shoulders. He frequently works inside rush lanes and uses his long arms to force fumbles. That length also comes in handy in coverage and for getting into a tackle’s pads. Carter has the room on his frame to add weight, which he should because he’s a liability against the run right now. He lacks the lower body mass to hold his ground against the run and creates rushing lanes by pushing too far upfield as he searches for sacks. Fortunately, these concerns are fixable with proper coaching.

Overall, Carter is a very college-style pass rusher who needs NFL coaching in a pro-style role and work in the weight room to fulfill his potential. He’s a very good mover for his size and possesses exciting burst off the line. Carter is a one-dimensional defender who lacks impact against the run, but he should make strides once on an NFL roster.

Role & Scheme Fit: Large designated pass rusher as a 3-4 outside linebacker

Round Projection: Mid Third to Early Fourth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 08-24-22