Alex

Carter

Carter was a 2015 third-rounder, and Wright a fourth-rounder. Carter missed his entire rookie year with an ankle issue, and the Lions made it clear they had low expectations. Perhaps he’ll be stashed on the practice squad, but it’s possible he’s damaged goods.

A third-round pick in 2015, Carter lost his rookie season to an ankle injury and spent most of his sophomore season on the practice squad working back from the same issue. Carter said doctors have not been able to tell him why his recovery has taken so long before adding his ankle “is never going to be the same.” Entering his third season with just one appearance under his belt, Carter could fall out of the league if he cannot get and stay healthy.

It’s a permanent move, per coach Jim Caldwell. Carter is 6'/198 and the team “likes his size” at safety. The No. 80 overall pick in 2015, Carter missed all of his rookie season with an ankle injury and spent most of 2016 on the practice squad. No longer on scholarship, he’s competing for a job.

The No. 80 overall pick of the 2015 draft, injuries limited Carter to one game in two seasons. Drafted as a corner, he was converted to safety in May. Evidently the position switch didn’t take. Carter has youth on his side. He turns 23 in October.

He was one of five Lions rookies to sign on Thursday. Carter was seen as a safety prospect by most online scouts during the pre-draft phase, but the Lions have penciled him in as a press corner. He could push RCB Rashean Mathis for snaps in year one while also chipping in on kickoff and punt coverage.

Carter has a bone bruise on his ankle and wasn’t due back before midseason. The I.R./return list ensures Carter won’t play until Week 10. Carter was the 80th overall pick in May’s draft. The Lions will roll with Josh Wilson, Nevin Lawson, and Quandre Diggs at corner behind Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis.

Carter is a bit tight hipped and may not have the movement skills to play corner, but with Rashean Mathis entering his age-35 season, the Lions are desperate for depth on the outside. It is likely Carter eventually settles in as a safety.

Detroit surrendered picks No. 88 and 143 to move up five spots. Carter (6'0/196) made 33 starts in three seasons with the Cardinal, amassing five tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and two INTs. Carter ran a passable 4.51 forty at the Combine, posted a 30 Wonderlic score, and showed leaping ability with a 40-inch vertical. The son of ex-Redskins CB Tom Carter, Alex has experience in press coverage and is willing to get physical. As Carter is a bit tight hipped and lacks ideal foot quickness, his best NFL fit may be at safety. While short on ball skills, Carter is a good enough tackler to make the transition.

Carter was the No. 80 overall pick of May’s draft. He’ll be back to compete for one of the Lions’ top four corner spots in 2016. He could also eventually be moved to safety.

A third-round pick last year, Carter missed his entire rookie season with an ankle injury. Caldwell said he expects Carter “to improve” as he works through his first offseason program, but it is clear the Lions are not relying on him to play a big role at this point. After losing Rashean Mathis to retirement, the Lions could use some depth at corner.