The Chicago Bears are in the market for a pass rusher. Don’t be fooled by the relentless talk of wide receivers. One could argue their more pressing issue is on the edge. Both Pernell McPhee and Willie Young were cut. Lamarr Houston is a free agent. This means their only viable rusher on the roster is Leonard Floyd, and he’s coming off a knee injury. Not even the receiver position is that bad.
What makes matters more urgent is the market for rushers appears weak this year, especially in free agency. GM Ryan Pace may not be able to patch up the problem with veterans like he should be able to at receiver. This only makes the edge rusher matter more urgent. They have to find one or better yet two pieces to refill the pipeline on defense.
The question is who might they go after? There is a list of names that are definitely worth watching. However, knowing Pace by this point he’s got his eyes on one name in particular. Not just because he’s a fascinating talent either. It’s because he’s an almost eerie carbon copy of Floyd.
Lorenzo Carter did his best Leonard Floyd impersonation at the combine
Stop if you’ve heard this one before. A Georgia linebacker who is a freak athlete. He has moved all around on defense in college from the outside to the inside. He stands 6’6″, boasts 34-inch arms and displays impressive acceleration and speed that showcases intriguing traits as a pass rusher.
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That was basically the scouting report for Floyd back in 2016 and a driving force behind why the Bears made him the #9 overall pick in the draft. Now they must be feeling deja vu. It’s happening all over again. An athletic, big, and long linebacker from Georgia whose first name starts with L tore up the combine. His name is Lorenzo Carter.
What’s so crazy about Carter is he might be even more suited for the job in the NFL than Floyd was. He’s faster (4.46 to 4.60 in the 40) and six pounds heavier. Also, like Floyd, his sack production in college can be misleading. They both finished their final seasons with just 4.5 sacks. Yet when watching the tape, it’s clear as day that Carter can become a force on the edge if he’s allowed to focus there.
Lorenzo Carter (6045, 243lbs) is a freak athlete… he can really bend that corner. pic.twitter.com/wMOtmWiGBt
— Jake (@SeedsofJake) January 15, 2018
Lorenzo Carter gimmie gimmie gimmie pic.twitter.com/grKrB7TMIR
— Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) March 1, 2018
QB nightmare:
1) Lorenzo Carter (@Zcarter_7) swoops in for a sack.
2) Julian Rochester (@D1_Prospect123) falls on top too.#UGAGameFilm pic.twitter.com/HAHLHcLsfD— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) September 19, 2017
Carter is basically the same player
If that’s the case, then one can imagine he’s on the Bears’ radar. They’ve already seen the blueprint to turning Floyd into a respected pass rusher (injuries aside of course). That stands to reason they can do the same for Carter. The best part is they might not have to use their #8 pick to get him. Projections had him going in the mid rounds. With his great combine, the odds are he’ll be gone by the second.
Having one Floyd can be a nice thing for this defense. Having potentially two on the field at the same time, health permitting? That’s QB devastation.
