Barrett Carter's Rise Aligns with Plans of the Cincinnati Bengals

In the NFL, finding a prospect whose growth trajectory matches a team’s long-term strategy is the holy grail of roster building—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter’s rapid rise has emerged as a perfect fit. As the Bengals look to strengthen their linebacker corps and solidify their defense for sustained playoff success, Carter’s evolution from a promising recruit to a versatile, game-changing defender aligns with every box on their checklist. His development in run defense, pass coverage, and leadership mirrors the Bengals’ need for a young, dynamic playmaker who can grow alongside their core of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Barrett Carter's Rise Aligns with Plans of the Cincinnati Bengals explores how his on-field growth, skill set, and football IQ have positioned him as a key piece in the Bengals’ future plans.

Barrett Carter's Rise Aligns with Plans of the Cincinnati Bengals first becomes clear in his growth as a versatile linebacker—able to excel in run defense, pass coverage, and blitzing, a trait the Bengals have prioritized in their defensive rebuild. Early in his college career at Clemson, Carter was a solid run-stopper but limited in coverage, often pulled off the field in passing situations. Over three seasons, he transformed into a three-down linebacker: he refined his footwork to stay with tight ends and running backs in the slot, added pass-rush moves to pressure quarterbacks, and improved his gap discipline to shut down running lanes. By his senior year, he recorded 83 tackles (11 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions—stats that reflect the “do-it-all” role the Bengals need. “We’ve been looking for a linebacker who can stay on the field for every down,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “Too often, we’ve had to substitute based on the play call, which disrupts our rhythm. Carter’s ability to contribute in all phases matches exactly what we’re building.” This versatility aligns with the Bengals’ shift to a more hybrid defense, where linebackers are expected to handle multiple roles—a plan they’ve been implementing since 2022 to counter the NFL’s pass-heavy offenses.

A second key area where Carter’s rise aligns with the Bengals’ plans is his development as a leader—both on and off the field—a quality Cincinnati values as it looks to build a sustainable winning culture. At Clemson, Carter started as a quiet freshman, deferring to upperclassmen, but by his junior year, he was named a team captain. He led by example: arriving early to practice, staying late to work with younger linebackers, and taking charge in film sessions to break down opponents’ tendencies. Off the field, he volunteered at local youth football camps and led a team initiative to collect food for families in need—efforts that mirror the Bengals’ emphasis on community engagement and locker room unity. “Leadership isn’t just about making plays,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. “It’s about lifting everyone around you, and Barrett does that better than anyone I’ve coached. He holds his teammates accountable, but he also supports them when they struggle—that’s the kind of leader who builds championship teams.” The Bengals, who have built their core around leaders like Burrow and Chase, see Carter as someone who can extend that culture to the defense, where veteran leaders like Sam Hubbard will soon need to pass the torch to younger players.

A defining aspect of Barrett Carter's Rise Aligns with Plans of the Cincinnati Bengals is his improvement in reading offenses and making pre-snap adjustments—a skill that directly complements the Bengals’ defensive strategy. Early in his college career, Carter relied on his athleticism to make plays, often reacting to the action instead of anticipating it. But over time, he developed a keen understanding of offensive schemes: he learned to recognize formation tells, predict play calls based on down and distance, and communicate adjustments to his teammates. By his senior year, he was regularly calling out plays before the snap, helping Clemson’s defense rank 12th in the nation in points allowed. “The best linebackers are like quarterbacks on defense—they see the whole field and make everyone around them better,” said Anarumo. “Carter’s growth in this area is exactly what we need. Our defense relies on players who can process information quickly and adjust on the fly, and he’s proven he can do that.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this ability is critical as they face AFC North rivals like the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, who run complex, unpredictable offenses. Carter’s knack for reading plays would allow the Bengals to simplify their defensive calls, reducing confusion and improving execution— a key part of their plan to become a top-10 defense.

Another way Carter’s rise aligns with the plans of the Cincinnati Bengals is his fit with the team’s salary cap strategy—a practical consideration that often dictates roster decisions. The Bengals have invested heavily in their offense (Burrow, Chase, Higgins) and defensive line (Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson), leaving limited cap space to sign high-priced veteran linebackers. Carter, as a draft prospect, would come at a relatively affordable cost for the first four years of his career, allowing the Bengals to allocate resources elsewhere while still adding a impact player. Additionally, his young age (22 entering the draft) means he can grow with the Bengals’ core, avoiding the need to rebuild the linebacker position again in the near future. “We’re building for the next five years, not just next season,” said Bengals general manager Duke Tobin. “Signing a veteran linebacker would give us a short-term fix, but drafting someone like Carter—who can develop with our team—aligns with our long-term vision. He’ll be entering his prime as our core players are also in their primes, which is the ideal scenario for sustained success.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this financial alignment is just as important as on-field fit; it ensures they can maintain their competitive edge without sacrificing depth at other positions.

A final area where Carter’s rise matches the Bengals’ plans is his ability to contribute immediately while still having room to grow—a balance Cincinnati seeks in all its draft picks. The Bengals don’t want a prospect who will take years to develop (they’re in win-now mode with Burrow in his prime), but they also don’t want someone who has already peaked. Carter fits this mold perfectly: his senior year tape shows he’s ready to contribute as a rotational linebacker, with the potential to become a starter within his first two seasons. He’s already mastered the fundamentals of run defense and pass coverage, but he still has room to improve his pass-rush technique and consistency in tackling—areas the Bengals’ coaching staff can refine. “We look for prospects who are ‘pro-ready but not pro-done,’” said Anarumo. “Carter has the skills to help us win right away, but he’s also hungry to get better. That’s the kind of player who becomes a cornerstone of the defense.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this balance is essential. They need to win now to keep their core together, but they also need to plan for the future—and Carter’s rise allows them to do both.

Wrapping up Barrett Carter's Rise Aligns with Plans of the Cincinnati Bengals is the bigger picture of how his growth fits into the team’s quest for a Super Bowl title. The Bengals have come close in recent years—reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship Game in 2022—but they’ve fallen short due to inconsistencies on defense, particularly at linebacker. Carter’s rise addresses that weakness while aligning with their culture, strategy, and salary cap plans. He’s a versatile, leadership-driven defender who can contribute now and grow with the team—exactly what the Bengals need to take the next step. “Every championship team has that ‘missing piece’ that ties everything together,” said Tobin. “For us, Barrett Carter could be that piece. His growth trajectory matches our timeline, his skill set matches our scheme, and his character matches our culture. That’s a rare alignment, and it’s why we’re so excited about what he could bring to this team.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, Carter’s rise isn’t just a story of a prospect’s success—it’s a story of how their long-term planning is starting to come together, one piece at a time. As they prepare for the draft, all signs point to Carter being a player who can help them turn their Super Bowl dreams into reality.