Scouting Reports
Maliq Carr NFL Draft Scouting Report
Maliq Carr, TE, Michigan State
Size:
Height: 6’6” | Weight: 260 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Maliq Carr is a big-body tight end prospect who thrives as a run blocker. He offers a functional pass-catching option up the seams and in the red zone.”
Strengths:
Body control and contact balance
Physicality after the catch, collision player
In-traffic catcher
Big-body receiving target
Concerns:
Natural separation against man coverage
Route salesmanship
Consistently in contested catch situations
Film Analysis:
Maliq Carr transferred from Purdue to Michigan State where he spent the last three seasons. He offers a big body and is a strong pass-catcher. Carr’s a good run blocker on early downs to create creases for his RBs. He understands how to use his big, sturdy frame as an advantage in the passing game. Transferring to Houston, Carr joins an Air Raid offense with a big-time talent at QB with Donovan Smith. If there’s any season for him to break out in the passing game, 2024 is the year.
Carr brings a trustworthy target in the middle of the field in the passing game. He works the seams well with his big frame. Carr has good body control and balance to pinball off would-be tacklers. He can live and thrive as a quick and intermediate passing target. Carr settles into soft spots and openings in zone coverages—as a large target, he makes catches in congested areas look routine. Carr runs in breakers, corner routes, crossers, and quick hitches well to present an open target to the QB.
Carr is a good edge sealer in the run game. Using his big frame, Carr walls off defenders giving the RB a path outside. He is functional in down/man-blocking situations—getting a solid initial push off the ball. Carr works well as a slice blocker on split-flow run actions and a perimeter lead blocker. He climbs to the second level well to pick and seal off linebackers.
Carr is a big TE but that comes with its drawbacks. His ability to separate from man coverage is limited due to his frame and segmented movements. He struggles to sink and drive at the top of his routes. As a result, he will be in more contested catch situations than preferred. Selling routes is not a strength of Carr’s ability. He telegraphs routes due to his rigid movements.
In conclusion, Carr projects as a backup tight end or TE2 for an offense. He can align off-ball, in the slot, or traditionally in-line. He brings added blocking to an offense’s run game and a seam/red zone threat in the passing game. Carr has a unique build that can be beneficial with proper usage.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Michigan (2023), Ohio State (2023), Iowa (2023), Indiana (2023)