The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2025 NFL Draft with clear wants and excessive expectations.
Whereas the contract state of affairs surrounding first-round choose Shemar Stewart has created an undesirable distraction, the group managed to execute a powerful technique that addressed a number of roster wants.
Amongst their picks, fourth-round choose Barrett Carter emerged as an early standout throughout offseason exercises.
The linebacker impressed coaches and scouts along with his protection abilities, producing important buzz inside the group.
Bengals scout Andrew Johnson has been significantly vocal about Carter’s potential and what he brings to the protection.
“He was in all probability one of the best cowl linebacker within the draft,” Johnson stated, through Dan Hoard. “He can run, change route, and flip his hips.”
The #Bengals open camp in 18 days. I’m counting down with a day by day remark:
Fourth-round choose Barrett Carter seems clean in move protection.
“He was in all probability one of the best cowl linebacker within the draft,” stated scout Andrew Johnson. “He can run, change route, and flip his hips.” pic.twitter.com/gndI9YPHy6— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 6, 2025
These attributes tackle a evident weak spot for Cincinnati’s protection.
The unit allowed 3,799 passing yards and 30 touchdowns final season whereas rating close to the underside of the league in protection effectivity.
Carter’s talent set ought to present assist in that space.
In 52 faculty video games at Clemson, he recorded 233 mixed tackles, 12.5 sacks, 21 passes defended and three interceptions.
Carter joins a Bengals linebacker corps present process important adjustments following the departures of Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither.
The revamped unit now contains Logan Wilson, veteran addition Oren Burks, and fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr.
Whereas Knight initiatives as a possible starter, Carter’s protection skills place him for significant snaps in third-down conditions.
His mid-round choice may show to be certainly one of Cincinnati’s smartest strikes.
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