Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs

In the NFL, finding a player whose skills align seamlessly with a team’s specific needs is like solving a puzzle—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Barrett Carter may be the missing piece. As a versatile, playmaking defender with a rare blend of size, speed, and football IQ, Carter brings exactly what the Bengals’ defense has been lacking: a dynamic presence who can stop the run, cover tight ends, and blitz quarterbacks with equal effectiveness. After struggling with inconsistent linebacker play and struggles in defending modern NFL offenses (which rely heavily on tight ends and running backs in the passing game), the Bengals have a clear need for a defender who can adapt to multiple roles. Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs explores how his unique skill set addresses Cincinnati’s most pressing defensive gaps, why he fits their scheme like a glove, and how he could elevate the Bengals’ defense to championship caliber. For Cincinnati, Carter isn’t just a potential draft pick or free agent target—he’s a solution to a problem that has held their defense back.

Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs begins with his positional versatility, a trait that has become essential in today’s NFL. Carter, who played both linebacker and safety at Clemson, excels as a “hybrid defender”—able to line up in the box to stop the run, drop back into coverage to defend tight ends, or rush the passer from the edge. This flexibility directly addresses the Bengals’ biggest defensive need: a defender who can counter teams that use 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) or spread formations with pass-catching running backs. Last season, the Bengals allowed 6.2 yards per pass to tight ends and 5.8 yards per carry to running backs out of the backfield—numbers that rank in the bottom 10 of the NFL. Carter’s ability to switch roles mid-drive would fix this: he can line up as a linebacker to stop the run, then drop into a slot coverage role to shadow a pass-catching tight end like Travis Kelce or George Kittle. “Versatility is the name of the game now, and Barrett has it in spades,” says former NFL defensive coordinator Mike Smith, who analyzed Carter’s film for ESPN. “He’s not just a linebacker or a safety—he’s both. For a team like the Bengals, who struggle with those mismatches, that’s a game-changer.” This versatility isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for a Bengals defense that aims to compete with AFC powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

A defining skill of Carter’s that matches the Bengals’ needs is his elite tackling precision—a area where Cincinnati’s linebackers have struggled in recent seasons. Last year, the Bengals’ linebackers had a missed tackle rate of 11.3%, the third-highest in the NFL, leading to costly first downs and long drives for opposing offenses. Carter, by contrast, has a career missed tackle rate of just 3.8% at Clemson, using his 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame and quick feet to wrap up ball carriers cleanly. What sets him apart is his ability to tackle in space: he can chase down running backs from the backside, tackle receivers in the open field, and bring down quarterbacks on blitzes without committing penalties. A prime example came in Clemson’s 2023 game against Florida State: Carter tracked down Seminoles running back Trey Benson (who ran a 4.4 40-yard dash) from 15 yards away, wrapping up his ankles and preventing a touchdown. “Tackling in space is one of the hardest things to do in football, and Barrett makes it look easy,” says Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. “He doesn’t just throw his body at people—he uses technique, timing, and strength to make sure the ball carrier goes down.” For the Bengals, this skill would eliminate the “big plays after contact” that have plagued their defense, turning potential 10-yard gains into 3-yard stops and forcing opposing offenses into third-and-long situations.

Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs also highlights his underrated coverage ability, which directly addresses the Bengals’ struggle to defend tight ends and slot receivers. Last season, the Bengals allowed 14 touchdowns to tight ends and slot receivers—more than any other team in the AFC. Carter, however, has shown he can hold his own in coverage: he allowed just 0.8 yards per coverage snap at Clemson, with opposing quarterbacks completing only 45% of passes thrown his way. He uses his speed (4.45 40-yard dash) to keep up with slot receivers and his size to battle tight ends at the line of scrimmage, making him a rare defender who can handle both roles. In Clemson’s 2023 ACC Championship win over North Carolina, Carter shadowed Tar Heels tight end John Copenhaver all game, allowing just two catches for 18 yards and breaking up three passes. “He’s not just a run-stopper—he’s a coverage defender who can take away a team’s best pass-catching weapon,” says NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this skill would allow defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to keep his base defense on the field more often, instead of substituting specialty packages to cover tight ends. This would simplify the defense, reduce communication errors, and make it harder for opposing offenses to exploit mismatches—a win-win for a Bengals team that aims to be more consistent on defense.

Another key skill of Carter’s that fits the Bengals’ needs is his ability to rush the passer, a trait that would add depth to Cincinnati’s pass rush. While the Bengals have stars like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard on the edge, they lack a consistent interior or linebacker blitzer—last season, their linebackers combined for just 5 sacks, the fewest in the AFC. Carter, who recorded 12 sacks and 25 quarterback hits in his college career, has a knack for timing blitzes and using his speed to beat offensive linemen. He can line up as a stand-up linebacker and rush the edge, or drop into the box and blitz through the A-gap, keeping offensive linemen guessing. In Clemson’s 2022 game against Notre Dame, Carter blitzed from the edge, beat the Fighting Irish’s left tackle with a quick spin move, and sacked quarterback Drew Pyne for a 10-yard loss. “He’s a natural pass rusher who understands how to use his speed and strength to beat blockers,” says Goodwin. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this skill would create a more balanced pass rush, forcing quarterbacks to worry about pressure from all sides instead of just the edges. This would make it harder for offenses to double-team Hendrickson or Hubbard, increasing their sack totals and giving the Bengals’ secondary more time to make plays. It’s a ripple effect that would elevate the entire defense, turning a good pass rush into a great one.

Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs concludes with how his football IQ and leadership would fit into the Bengals’ locker room culture. Carter was a team captain at Clemson, known for his work ethic, film study habits, and ability to rally his teammates. He’s the kind of player who stays late to watch film with rookies, helps younger defenders with their technique, and leads by example on and off the field. For the Cincinnati Bengals, who have a core of veteran leaders like Hendrickson and Jessie Bates III but need young players to step up, Carter would be a perfect addition. He’d learn from the veterans while also bringing a fresh energy to the defense, helping to build a culture of accountability and excellence. “Leadership is just as important as talent, and Barrett has both,” says Smith. “He’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better, whether it’s by teaching a rookie how to read a play or by making a big tackle to spark the defense.” For the Bengals, this combination of skill, versatility, and leadership makes Carter more than just a “good fit”—he’s a player who could help them win a Super Bowl. In the end, Barrett Carter's Skills Perfect Match for the Cincinnati Bengals Needs is a story of alignment: a player with exactly what a team needs, at exactly the right time. For the Bengals, Carter isn’t just a potential addition—he’s the missing piece that could turn their defense into one of the best in the NFL.