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DeWayne Carter NFL Draft Scouting ReportGeoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Scouting Reports

DeWayne Carter NFL Draft Scouting Report

DeWayne Carter, IDL, Duke

Size:

Height: 6’2.5”

Weight: 302 pounds

Arm Length: 33”

Hand Size: 10 1/4”

Accomplishments:

Team Captain (2023, 2022, 2021) • Second Team All-ACC selection (2022) • Third Team All-ACC selection (2021) •

“DeWayne Carter is a high-IQ and active three-down, starting-caliber defensive lineman.” 

Strengths:

  • Run defense

  • Play strength

  • Lateral agility

  • Three-down potential

Concerns:

  • Sack production

  • Arm length

  • Hand counters

Film Analysis: 

DeWayne Carter is a strong interior defensive lineman. Ideally, he aligns as a true 3-technique and handles single gap/lane responsibilities. Carter has powerful hands versus the run and at the point of attack. He is not easily displaced and moved off the line of scrimmage. Functional full-body strength allows him to hold his ground and anchor well. Carter has lateral agility and balance to disrupt zone and outside run plays. He can occupy blockers to keep his linebackers free and clean to flow with the football. 

As a pass rusher, Carter has an adequate first step at the snap. He combines powerful punches and leg drives to push through the chest of blockers to collapse the pocket in the quarterback’s face. His effort/motor is unquestionably a strength. He chases plays down from behind and will work to the football on screens. Carter understands how to attack leverage and dislodge blockers’ hands to free his rush path quickly. If he cannot get it to the quarterback, he does a great job getting his hands up to tip passes and give his team a chance at a turnover. 

Carter is not the most explosive defender and can be late off the football. His arm length is questionable. He has to close space between him and the blockers before landing punches. His sack production vastly decreased from 2022 to 2023. He must improve his hand counters to maximize his pass rush reps and reach his potential. Carter needs to improve his tackling, he has two seasons with double-digit missed tackles. 

Dewayne Carter is your ideal 3-technique defensive tackle. He has a starter and three down upside. His motor and desire are not coachable. Run defense should be his way on the field to start his career.

Prospect Projection: Day 2 - Winning Starter 

Written By: Damian Parson

Exposures: Clemson (2023), North Carolina (2023), Florida State (2023) 

DeWayne Carter NFL Draft Scouting Report

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