Duron Carter to be ‘highly sought after’ by NFL?
Duron Carter received a few workouts prior to the 2013 NFL Draft before ultimately going undrafted due to massive character concerns. He went on a college carousel, playing for Ohio State, Alabama, and Florida Atlantic and showing major maturity issues at every stop. These questions prevented a top-notch talent from ever fulfilling his potential, sticking with a top college program, or making it into the NFL right out of college. He was able to sign a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings, but that, as expected, didn’t amount to anything for a player who never played a snap for Bama or FAU.
But fortunes could change for the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, and it looks like things are already looking up for him after an amazing rookie season for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. Carter hauled in 909 receiving yards and five touchdowns, but the most important note isn’t a stat, but rather a glowing recommendation from his GM.
Jim Popp told the MMQB’s Peter King, “Every NFL team should be after Cris Carter’s son. [Montreal wide receiver] Duron Carter is a phenomenal athlete. He’s got every measurable. He’s fast, 6-foot-4, can be a punt returner in the NFL with his size, can run with the ball, has got tremendous body control. When he got on the field last year for us he was just phenomenal. And hopefully he stays healthy this year. He’ll be a highly, highly sought after, Cam Wake kind of guy. This is Duron’s second year, and another year is going to be great for him. But this guy can go in and be a one or two guy [first or second receiver]. He is phenomenal. He can’t finish in the CFL season and then go to NFL in 2014, but teams could sign him to a futures deal for 2015.’’
As Wake has famously shown us and New England Patriots defensive tackle Armond Armstead could second, top CFL talent shouldn’t be glossed over. Carter has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL, and we knew that in college. The main issues are his ability to learn the game and keep his head straight, and he deserves a fair shake if he can prove both. At 6’5″, Carter undoubtedly has the size, speed, and pedigree to make a splash in the NFL, and we’ll see if his GM’s incredible words of praise will end up in a futures contract for 2015 from a team willing to take a minor risk on a potential splash WR. From the way outside it seems like he’s grown up, and I would be surprised if someone doesn’t give him a chance to prove it.