Colts Post-Draft Positional Review: Wide Receivers
By Evan Reller
Aug 3, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Cris Carter (right) poses with his son Duron Carter and the bust of the elder Carter at the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Duron Carter
2014 Stats (CFL): 75 receptions, 7 touchdowns
While Carter has all the tools to be a great wide receivers (especially the bloodlines), he has had some issues, primarily related to school and going to classes. In an interview with his Hall of Fame father Cris Carter, his dad addressed the issue at hand:
"“He didn’t commit a crime, he has no tattoos, he has no kids, and he’s a pleasant kid. His thing is he hates school, though,” Cris Carter told USA TODAY Sports. “And I’m his dad. He’s really bright; he’s got an IQ over 130. He just hates school. We gave him the pretest on the Wonderlic. He got a 28.” Once more, Cris repeated with emphasis on each word: “He. Just. Hates. (Bleeping). School.”"
Good news, there is no classwork in the NFL. Just learn the playbook, workout, catches footballs, and repeat.
At 6-5 and 210-pounds, the younger Carter has the size to win jump balls and give Luck an easy target. He’s a great athlete, willing to fight across the middle for tough catches, and can turn small plays into big ones. Carter also seems to have a knack for making big plays in crucial moments.
He’ll have to transition from the rules of the CFL which allow receiver to run towards the line of scrimmage before the snap, giving them a tremendous advantage. There are times when his focus is an issue and Carter sometimes needs to fight harder to win 50-50 passes. His route running could use some work, but he’ll be able to learn from Johnson who is one of the best.
Being bounced from multiple colleges and forced to play in the CFL seems to have humbled Carter a bit as well. He’ll have to fight for snaps but he gives the Colts another large downfield threat.