Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at DeAndre Carter
The New England Patriots open 2016 in 13 days, so we’re taking a closer look at the owner of the No. 13 jersey, wide receiver DeAndre Carter.
Size: 5-foot-8, 190 pounds
College: Sacramento State
NFL experience: One season
After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Carter was signed by the Baltimore Ravens. Carter was a major story out of Ravens training camp last summer, not letting his diminutive stature get in the way of his playing ability. But alas, not being able to win the kick return job in Baltimore halted Carter’s time as a purple bird, as he was released in the first major wave of Ravens roster cuts.
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Carter was soon scooped up by the Oakland Raiders, who needed some wide receiver depth after dealing Brice Butler to the Dallas Cowboys. Carter resided on the Raiders’ practice squad for the majority of the regular season, eventually being released in early December. The Patriots then swooped in and nabbed Carter, signed him to a futures contract, and he’s been in New England ever since.
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Again, Carter faces long odds to make the final roster. The difficult truth is that he may be too small to play as an NFL wide receiver. It’s one thing for an undersized running back like Dion Lewis to push the envelope at 5-foot-8, but wide receiver is an entirely different position. Carter’s play through Patriots preseason has been impressive but the consensus is that he is undersized at slot receiver, which is already an inherently undersized position.
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In closing, don’t expect Carter to beat the odds and make the final roster. However, don’t be surprised if the Patriots keep him around on the practice squad and use him as a fill-in for an injured Julian Edelman or Danny Amendola should the situation arise. Carter’s touchdown reception last Friday night was an indicator of what the Sacremento State product could do in the NFL.
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Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we mark 12 days until kickoff by profiling the owner of the No. 12 jersey, quarterback Tom Brady.