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I'm definitely not a guy who knows the draft very well. I know some of the top players but that's about it. So of course, last night I did some amateur Googling on Austin Carr. Some of the articles indicated strong potential as a slot receiver; of course, his overall ranking among WRs (undrafted) - when teams are now "in on the secret" of an Edelman-type player's value - takes some optimism away.
Here is what I found:
Austin Carr is 6'1", 195. Seems roughly the same mold as Edelman or Amendola. A little taller, not quite as bulky. Pretty similar height/weight to a lot of quicker NFL receivers. Unlike Edelman, though, he doesn't appear to be a project, like converting to a new position. The guy was very, very productive in college at WR and led the Big 10 in a bunch of categories.
This was the best article I found, since it was published before be was drafted (hence low degree of homerism.)
Can Northwestern WR Austin Carr be the Patriots next late round slot machine?
Carr thrives at catching passes in traffic, running quick in and out routes, and produces at all levels of the field- not just underneath- but is somehow projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout. Prior to his 2016 season, Carr was a secondary option in the offense and played on special teams. He told Edholm that “he likes watching the New England Patriots and how they use their smaller, quicker, savvier receivers to create mismatches underneath.”
“That’s me,” Carr added. “That’s my game.”
Carr ran an unofficial 4.54s 40 yard dash, while Edholm reports that Carr posted an incredible 4.04s shuttle time and a filthy 6.72s three cone, highlighting his quick change of direction ability. That shuttle would have ranked 5th for wide receivers at the NFL Combine and the three cone would have ranked 4th- and no receiver ranked ahead of Carr in both drills.
I also read he had a lot of offers but chose the Patriots because of how they could utilize him...which was ballsy considering thr depth chart.
So here are my questions:
1. Knowing this guy has incredible shiftiness (his cone drills) and has proven he can play the position well, why was he still undrafted and not even invited to the combine? It seems like any team should jump at a chance to land the next Julian Edelman type player.
2. What are the big question marks? In his college highlights, I saw a great route runner with excellent hands and body control but didn't see a lot of elisiveness after the catch, but I also didn't see many plays that put him in that position. Is it a concern he isn't elusive enough? Physical enough? Can get jammed easily? Obviously with any player, adapting to a complex playbook and speed is a factor, but what specifically stands out as his biggest obstacles?
3. Does Lucien have a similar game as a shifty YAC guy? And if so, who appears to be better?
4. Why did Jeremy Ebert bust when he had some of these same talents? Clearly the Patriots system does guarantee success.
Here is what I found:
Austin Carr is 6'1", 195. Seems roughly the same mold as Edelman or Amendola. A little taller, not quite as bulky. Pretty similar height/weight to a lot of quicker NFL receivers. Unlike Edelman, though, he doesn't appear to be a project, like converting to a new position. The guy was very, very productive in college at WR and led the Big 10 in a bunch of categories.
This was the best article I found, since it was published before be was drafted (hence low degree of homerism.)
Can Northwestern WR Austin Carr be the Patriots next late round slot machine?
Carr thrives at catching passes in traffic, running quick in and out routes, and produces at all levels of the field- not just underneath- but is somehow projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout. Prior to his 2016 season, Carr was a secondary option in the offense and played on special teams. He told Edholm that “he likes watching the New England Patriots and how they use their smaller, quicker, savvier receivers to create mismatches underneath.”
“That’s me,” Carr added. “That’s my game.”
Carr ran an unofficial 4.54s 40 yard dash, while Edholm reports that Carr posted an incredible 4.04s shuttle time and a filthy 6.72s three cone, highlighting his quick change of direction ability. That shuttle would have ranked 5th for wide receivers at the NFL Combine and the three cone would have ranked 4th- and no receiver ranked ahead of Carr in both drills.
I also read he had a lot of offers but chose the Patriots because of how they could utilize him...which was ballsy considering thr depth chart.
So here are my questions:
1. Knowing this guy has incredible shiftiness (his cone drills) and has proven he can play the position well, why was he still undrafted and not even invited to the combine? It seems like any team should jump at a chance to land the next Julian Edelman type player.
2. What are the big question marks? In his college highlights, I saw a great route runner with excellent hands and body control but didn't see a lot of elisiveness after the catch, but I also didn't see many plays that put him in that position. Is it a concern he isn't elusive enough? Physical enough? Can get jammed easily? Obviously with any player, adapting to a complex playbook and speed is a factor, but what specifically stands out as his biggest obstacles?
3. Does Lucien have a similar game as a shifty YAC guy? And if so, who appears to be better?
4. Why did Jeremy Ebert bust when he had some of these same talents? Clearly the Patriots system does guarantee success.
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