Detroit Lions: Local player added to Supplemental Draft
Another player from a Michigan college was recently added to the Supplemental Draft. The Detroit Lions have a leg up in the evaluation process.
Once there was four, now there are five players eligible for the NFL’s Supplemental Draft come July 11th. Two days ago, running back Marty Carter opted to leave Grand Valley State early and try his luck in the NFL. The Detroit Lions are right in their backyard.
169 miles separates Lubbers Stadium in Allendale (MI) from Ford Field in Detroit (MI). The Lakers and Lions are well acquainted with one another, seeing they’re on opposite ends of the state.
Carter has gained more than just local appreciation. Nationally, he took 5th place in the 2016 Harlon Hill voting, the Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in Division I FBS. As a redshirt sophomore, Carter lead all Division II rushers with 1,908 yards and 20 touchdowns.
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the All-American became the school’s all-time leading rusher. In the process, he showed off solid receiving, returning, even passing skills. Academic ineligibility resulted in his decision to forego his final season.
As far as translating to the NFL, the 6-foot, 200 pound fourth-year junior has exception agility, burst and getaway speed to make the leap. An interesting player comparison can put things into perspective.
Austin Ekeler of the San Diego Chargers went undrafted from a Division II school (Western State) last year. The 5-foot-10, 20O pound running back recorded 1,495 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2016 as a senior. Those numbers were less than what Carter finished with.
The sticking similarities only validates the possibility Carter can hang in the NFL. Health is a question mark but there’s a good chance he makes an NFL roster.
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Ultimately, I wouldn’t mind if the Lions used a 7th round pick on him. If not, he would make an excellent undrafted free agent signing who can potentially replace one of the three running backs whose contracts expire in 2019.
Odds are, if Carter signed with Detroit, he’s on the practice squad for 2018. I’d take a flyer on that guy and I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a 53 man roster somewhere else.