Vikings Drop Once-Promising Pass Rusher
If Andre Carter II will be a part of the 2024 Minnesota Vikings, it will be via down-the-road practice squad addition or free-agent signing.
Vikings Drop Once-Promising Pass Rusher
Minnesota has until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday to shave its roster from 91 players to 53, and Carter II will reportedly be waived.
NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo tweeted Tuesday, “The Vikings are waiving edge rusher Andre Carter II, source says. Former Army Black Knight had two sacks, one a strip sack, in the preseason finale against the Eagles.”
At the time of this article’s publication, Minnesota’s outside linebacker room showcased these players:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Dallas Turner
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Jihad Ward
- Patrick Jones II
- Bo Richter
Popular undrafted free-agent EDGE Gabriel Murphy was placed on short-term injured reserve.
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sprinted to the undrafted free-agent wire, capturing 15 players for the 90-man summer roster. Carter was unearthed among that huge list of newcomers and later made the regular roster.
He was projected as a 4th- or 5th-Round prospect in April 2023, akin to his teammate Ivan Pace Jr., but both men missed out on a formal draft pick. Instead, they joined the Vikings as UDFAs. The consensus on Carter II’s lack of draft attention was a bit mysterious, but most believed his size — or perceived lankiness — discouraged general managers from taking the plunge. His strength may need enhancement as an NFL pass rusher, although Army moved Carter II all over the defense.
Carter also garnered attention on Bruce Feldman’s famous Freak List heading into that draft. Feldman wrote about Carter II, “What a gem Army found at Connecticut’s Cheshire Academy in Carter, at the time a two-star tight end prospect. Now a 6-7, 260-pound senior with a 6-10 wingspan, Carter piled up 18.5 TFLs, 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2021.”
“Carter’s length is only more amazing when factoring in that he also blazed a 4.2 in his pro agility test this offseason. Army coaches say that when Carter’s doing change of direction work in the summer, he finishes in the top three with their skill guys. They also say his reaction time and processing speed is unmatched,” he concluded.
The Army alumnus appeared in 12 games with the Vikings as a rookie, logging 68 defensive snaps and 2 tackles. He also saw action on 142 special teams plays.
Carter II won’t be unemployed for long. Some team will scoop him for its active roster or practice squad.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.