The Minnesota Vikings have been busy overhauling their defense this offseason, notably adding Andrew Van Ginkel to the interior defensive line.
Jerry Tillery is Minnesota’s only addition so far at defensive tackle, and that was easily their weakest position group. Although the Vikings will likely have increased expectations for players like Jaquelin Roy, they still need more depth. Given that the main goal of this draft will be a trade-up for a quarterback, the team will likely have to wait until the middle rounds to address the interior defensive line.
Duke’s DeWayne Carter should be an option in that range.
At 6’2”, 302 lbs. Carter has the prototypical size for an NFL defensive lineman. He also has above-average speed and quickness, which he showcases in his play. He clocked a 4.99 40-yard dash, which is impressive for a defensive lineman. Some players sacrifice strength for quickness, but Carter has plenty of both.
Carter was productive at Duke, even if it didn’t show up in the box score. Although he only posted one sack this past season, Carter always made plays and created pressure against opposing quarterbacks.
His sack numbers looked much better in 2022 when he managed 5.5 sacks. Still, despite being the focal point of every opposing offensive line’s scouting report, he was impressive this season. While the baseline numbers of sacks might not be there, the pressure created and the effect on the game were still present.
He uses his bull rush to great effect, pushing centers and guards into the laps of their quarterbacks before they know what has happened. While Carter’s arm length isn’t a strength, he makes up for his shorter levers by getting in the face of guards and centers.
While Carter has flashed as a pass rusher, he’s still raw in certain aspects. Due to his shorter arms, he occasionally struggles to engage and shed blockers, and he certainly will need to add more pass-rush moves at the next level. His bull rush is very good, but he can’t get by on that alone.
Carter isn’t only a pass rusher. He’s a true three-down lineman who’s good against the run. This past season, Carter recorded 10 run stops.
He’s the perfect modern defensive tackle to counteract outside-zone running schemes. Carter has the lateral quickness to get off blocks and to the ball carrier. In tandem with his powerful hands, this allows him to disengage from blockers moving at him and get wide enough to get in the area of the ball carrier.
Carter’s strength also allows him to combat inside runs. He engages with offensive linemen to prevent them from getting to the second level and allows his linebackers to clean up the play.
He’s every coach’s dream. Carter is a skilled player with a relentless motor and is willing to pursue the ball carrier when he’s behind on a play. However, he’s older than many other players in the draft. Carter will turn 24 during his rookie season and 28 when his rookie contract is up.
Carter’s relentless motor is one of the few things that make him so desirable for franchises in the draft. He was the first-ever three-time captain at Duke and showcased his IQ and leadership skills while on the field. Carter is also an exceptional person off the field. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, enriched children in the Durham area through reading initiatives, and worked as a youth baseball coach at Duke.
Considering his play on the field and the type of man he is off of it, Carter is a player the Vikings should look to target in the middle rounds of the draft.
