Cowboys Draft Bruce Carter at 40

Cowboys second round pick Bruce Carter

The Cowboys did go defense with their second round pick (#40) drafting UNC LB Bruce Carter. Carter sat out this past season with a knee issue but a year ago, Mel Kiper had him as a mid-first round projection. Carter is a physical beast...he ran a 4.39 40--that is fucking disgusting--- and was a Butkus Award finalist a year ago. The Cowboys will move him from outside backer to inside linebacker, and now have two youngsters in Carter and last year's second round pick, Sean Lee on which to build their defensive middle on.

I like Carter's physical ability but he will have to bulk up if he is to transition into the inside and he will definitely have to sure up his tackling ability. After watching film on him, he doesn't appear to be a heavy hitter or a consistent tackler. His instincts appear to at times be slow and are masked by his speed. I think he will have to be coached up real well in order for him to have a chance to see the field on a regular basis. His speed will give him a chance to play the nickel linebacker, a position that was never truly replaced after Bobby Carpenter's departure. 

Ultimately, I think that him and Sean Lee have bright futures with the Cowboys, granted they stay healthy. What concerns me is the fact that the Cowboys didn't address their real immediate needs with the second round pick. I want my second round pick to be an immediate contributor. I don't think Carter is going to supplant Bradie James as a starter and the Cowboys still have gaping holes on the defensive front and in the secondary. They will need to address these issues in free agency.