Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts

In the high-stakes world of NFL scouting, few prospects generate as much quiet excitement among talent evaluators as Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter. For the Cincinnati Bengals’ scouting department—tasked with identifying players who can elevate the team’s championship aspirations—Carter has emerged as a top target, thanks to his rare blend of athleticism, versatility, and football IQ. Bengals scouts have tracked his progress closely since his junior season, attending his games, analyzing his film, and even conducting private workouts to assess his fit with their defensive scheme. What they’ve seen has only amplified their enthusiasm: a prospect who can fill multiple roles, fix positional gaps, and contribute immediately. Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts explores the specific traits that catch the Bengals’ eye, his standout college performances, how he aligns with the team’s defensive needs, the scouting process behind evaluating him, and why he’s viewed as a potential “steal” in the upcoming draft.

Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts opens with the athletic traits that make Carter a standout in the scouting community—and a perfect match for the Bengals’ defensive style. At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Carter possesses the ideal size for a modern NFL linebacker: he’s sturdy enough to shed blocks in the run game, yet agile enough to cover tight ends and slot receivers in passing situations. His combine results only reinforced this versatility: he ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash (top 5 among linebackers), recorded a 38-inch vertical jump, and posted a 10-foot-8 broad jump—numbers that highlight his explosiveness and range. Bengals scouts note that his athleticism isn’t just raw speed or strength; it’s controlled. “Barrett moves with purpose,” said a senior Bengals scout, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He doesn’t waste steps when chasing a running back, and he doesn’t overcommit when dropping into coverage. That’s the kind of discipline you can’t teach—it’s innate.” For a Bengals defense that values flexibility, Carter’s ability to excel in multiple roles makes him a rare find.

Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts delves into the college performances that solidified Carter’s status as a top prospect in the Bengals’ eyes. His senior season at Clemson was a masterclass in all-around linebacker play: he tallied 83 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble, earning first-team All-ACC honors. But it was his standout games against elite competition that caught the Bengals’ attention. Against Notre Dame, he shut down the Fighting Irish’s run game, recording 12 tackles and 2 tackles for loss while limiting their star running back to just 3.2 yards per carry. Against Florida State, he showcased his coverage skills, intercepting two passes and breaking up three more to help Clemson secure a late-season win. “We judge prospects by how they perform when the lights are brightest,” the Bengals scout said. “Barrett didn’t just show up against good teams—he dominated them. That’s the kind of competitiveness we want in Cincinnati.” These performances confirmed to scouts that Carter’s talent translates to high-pressure situations, a critical factor for a team aiming for deep playoff runs.

Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts covers how Carter’s skill set aligns perfectly with the Bengals’ defensive needs—a key reason for the scouts’ excitement. The Bengals have long sought to upgrade their linebacking corps, particularly at the inside position where depth has been a concern. With Germaine Pratt set to hit free agency, there’s an immediate opening for a starter who can contribute in both run defense and pass coverage. Carter checks both boxes: he’s a physical run stopper who can clog gaps and tackle with precision, and a savvy coverage defender who can blanket tight ends—a weakness the Bengals struggled with last season (allowing 8.2 yards per reception to opposing tight ends). Additionally, his ability to shift to edge rusher in passing downs would complement the Bengals’ existing pass-rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. “Barrett doesn’t just fill a hole—he makes our defense more dynamic,” the scout explained. For the Cincinnati Bengals, drafting Carter would be a strategic move that addresses multiple needs in one pick, strengthening a unit that’s already among the league’s best.

Another layer of Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts is the detailed scouting process the Bengals have used to evaluate Carter—beyond just film study and game attendance. Bengals scouts conducted a private workout with Carter in March, focusing on position-specific drills to assess his ability to read plays, adjust to movement, and execute technique under pressure. They also interviewed his college coaches, teammates, and even academic advisors to gauge his work ethic, leadership, and off-field character. What they learned only added to their enthusiasm: Carter is a team captain who spends extra hours studying film, mentors younger players, and maintains a strong academic record. “Character matters just as much as talent,” said the scout. “We need players who will buy into our culture, work hard, and lead by example—and Barrett checks all those boxes.” The Bengals also compared Carter’s film to current NFL linebackers who thrive in similar schemes, finding striking similarities to players like the 49ers’ Fred Warner—another versatile, high-IQ linebacker who elevates his team’s defense. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this thorough evaluation has eliminated much of the risk associated with drafting a prospect, making Carter an even more appealing target.

Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts explores why scouts view Carter as a potential “value pick” in the draft—even if he’s selected in the late first or early second round. While some mock drafts project Carter to go in the mid-first round, Bengals scouts believe his ceiling is higher than many of his peers, thanks to his ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game. Unlike other linebackers who excel in only one area (e.g., run defense or pass coverage), Carter can impact every down, reducing the need for the Bengals to use multiple substitutions. This versatility not only makes the defense more efficient but also keeps opponents off balance, as they can’t predict how Carter will be used on any given play. “Barrett gives our coaching staff so many options,” the scout said. “He can be a starter on day one, but he can also come off the bench in specialty packages—whatever the team needs. That kind of flexibility is invaluable.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, drafting Carter wouldn’t just be adding a good player—it’s adding a player who can grow with the team and contribute to championship runs for years to come.

Barrett Carter's Draft Potential Thrills the Cincinnati Bengals Scouts closes with the anticipation building within the Bengals’ scouting department as the draft approaches. For months, they’ve highlighted Carter as a top target, and now they’re preparing to make their case to the front office that he’s worth investing in. While the draft is always unpredictable—other teams could jump ahead to select him—Bengals scouts remain confident that if Carter is available when they pick (28th overall in the first round), he’ll be the right choice. “We’ve evaluated hundreds of prospects this year, and Barrett stands out,” the scout said. “He has the talent, the character, and the fit to be a difference-maker for this team. We’re excited about what he could bring to Cincinnati.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, Barrett Carter represents more than just a draft pick—he’s a chance to strengthen a championship-caliber defense and take another step toward bringing a Super Bowl title to the city. As the draft nears, all eyes will be on the Bengals to see if their scouts’ excitement translates into action.