2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Quinton Carter, FS, Oklahoma

by Cory J. Bonini on March 16, 2011 @ 03:59:03 PDT

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Oklahoma senior free safety Quinton Carter heads into the 2011 NFL Draft ranked by most as one of the top available safeties in the class.

He finished his Sooners career with 96 tackles and four interceptions in 2010. Carter matched that interception total in 2009 and posted 79 total stops.

Strengths

Versatility - played both strong and free safety
Big hitter
NFL-level safety speed (4.62-second 40)
Range
Versatile safety prospect

Anticipation and instincts
Strong character - community and team leader
Size (6-foot 5/8, 208 pounds)
Savvy and intelligent
Quick to close on the ball
Ball skills
Excellent in run support

Weaknesses

Overly aggressive - prone to penalties and was even ejected from practice for it
Minor injury history (redshirted freshman year with a hamstring injury; missed time in 2008 after surgery to repair a partially torn knee ligament)
Tackles too high on occasion
Average change-of-direction ability and agility

Expected draft placement

Carter is one of the top dogs in a relatively weak safety class. Little overall demand for a safety this year means he is likely a third-round pick. Carter could slide into the late second round if all goes well.

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow @CoryKFFL