2018 NFL Draft: Lorenzo Carter Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Georgia’s Lorenzo Carter is a 2018 NFL Draft edge prospect who played multiple roles during college career.
Lorenzo Carter is a hybrid prospect who has experience rushing the passer, dropping into coverage and setting the edge against the run. He is one of the more unique 2018 NFL Draft prospects and comes with a ton of upside.
Carter features excellent length and overall size. He could potentially add a little more bulk to his frame and fit as a traditional defensive end. However, he also has the athleticism to find a home as an outside linebacker.
Georgia used Carter a lot like they did Leonard Floyd a few years ago. Basically, Carter moved all over the field and was used to attack in different ways.
Carter showed to be a solid point of attack player who is committed to gain inside hands. He gets a good jump off the snap and delivering a solid punch. His good pad level and wide base helps anchor after contact.
More from With the First Pick
- 2024 NFL Draft: Prospect Viewing Guide for Week 0
- 2024 NFL Draft: All Eyes On NFL Draft Defensive Prospects
- Player Spotlight: USC Safety Calen Bullock
- 2024 Senior Bowl Watchlist Announced
- 2024 NFL Draft: Florida State is Loaded with Prospect in 2023
He has enough upper body strength to disengage and pursue the ball carrier. However, Carter could stand to add some more bulk if he is expected to play in the trenches on a more permanent basis.
Georgia asked Carter to drop into coverage a fair amount. In this role, he showed a feel for developing routes and good balance. Carter has enough movement skills and quickness to hold up in the flat, but shouldn’t be asked to play too much man coverage.
Most of Carter’s upside as a prospect comes from his ability to rush the passer. His combination of length, effort and burst give him the potential to be a strong pass rusher. The problem is that he is still very raw in this area of his game.
Carter will benefit from landing with a team that is committed to developing him as a pass rusher. This will allow him to focus on one aspect of his game and unlock his potential. However, going in this direction would take away some of his versatility.
Overall, this is a high-upside prospect who could greatly outperform his draft position. The key for him will be landing with a coach who has a plan to put him in a position to succeed.