Injury impact: Bruce Carter may fall far in the draft

by Dan Kadar on Dec 22, 2010 10:37 AM EST

It was supposed to be Bruce Carter's year. The North Carolina senior linebacker was poised to be a first-round pick. Now, he may be lucky to a second-round pick.

Carter wasn't among the suspended Tar Heels at the beginning of the season. However, he only finished the year with 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. But that's not why Carter could be a draft dropper.

On Nov. 20, Carter tore his ACL against North Carolina State and has successfully undergone surgery. It's likely he'll be unable to participate in Senior Bowl activities or North Carolina's pro day.

In my latest rankings update, Carter is 50th overall. He's dropped because the knee injury could have a big affect on his play. He's now behind pass rushing linebackers like Justin Houston and Von Miller.

That is because Carter's potential is based on his quickness and speed off the snap. That's what is noted in our scouting report. Even last season we saw the impact a knee injury can have on a pass rusher.

Entering last season, Wisconsin's O'Brien Schofield had the look of a possible top 50 pick. He had 12 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss in 2009 and was set to be a star at the Senior Bowl. Then, during practices, he tore his left ACL just like Carter.

The injury ended up knocking Schofield out for nine months. Schofield is expected to get his first start against Dallas on Saturday, but the injury pushed him to the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The draft weekend plummet, unfortunately, may be similar for Carter. He's more of a complete player than Schofield, so he should go before the fourth round. But teams will have to do a lot of work on Carter and monitor his progress.

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tough...

losing two stars on the d-line probably hurt his production too… what a shame

by vitzeng on Dec 22, 2010 11:34 AM EST reply actions

Depending on how he recovers of course

but someone’s gonna get a steal. He’s probably every bit as good as the OLBs drafted in 2009, probably better.

Travis Lewis is probably loving this tho as he’s no doubt the best OLB in the draft with Carter having this injury.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Dec 22, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions

I think he will be a late 3rd rounder. And in two years everyone will look back and see that he was a steal.

Mike Marra is the worst Division 1 Starter in college basketball

by TheRealSlimShady on Dec 22, 2010 1:09 PM EST reply actions

I totally agree

I think mid-late third round is the target area depending on how the medicals check out. He will likely be a great pick up for some team looking for a 4-3 OLB. Too bad for Carter though as he deserved better for going back to school.

Steveospeak- content manager of www.fanspeak.com

by Steve Shoup on Dec 22, 2010 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

whats up with that guy who battled with cancer?

he’s entering, and how good is he?

by ratware on Dec 22, 2010 8:39 PM EST reply actions

Mark Herzlich.

Dropped a lot, I’d say 2nd-3rd round.
But he is a good prospect for any LB spot on a 4-3 team or ILB for a 3-4 team.

by RjTheMetalhead on Dec 22, 2010 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

He's dropped way more than that

From some of the stuff I read back in the beginning of the season, some scouts said he might be done

by somebodyquiet on Dec 23, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Some of these guys that tear their ACL come back fine in a year

And others are never the same, I hope the Chargers can get Carter with one of their 2nds. Though its pretty obvious that he’s going to need a redshirt year now

IMO

by Foilhat on Dec 22, 2010 11:48 PM EST reply actions

The younger you are, and the less you weigh, the easier your return

Schofield was different. He was a production guy, a lot of concern about his measurables. Carter is a known athlete. Who should be ready to play by the start of the season.

by ct17 on Dec 24, 2010 1:09 AM EST up reply actions

The Cowboys could use some serious ILB help

and I would love Dallas to snag this guy early third round. He could come in (assuming he recovers) and at a minimum give Dallas a great nickel-backer to go with Sean Lee.

Formerly Cowboyfan729
If I had a nickel for every time the Eagles won the Super Bowl, I would have zero nickels

by Creasy729 on Dec 23, 2010 1:33 AM EST reply actions