Adam Carriker
Adam Carriker, #94, DE
CFA Player Analysis
Carriker has a unique blend of size and strength (6’6”, 315) that very few defensive linemen possess. This is what propelled him to the first 15 picks of the 2007 NFL Draft. That and it was a terrible draft, While Carriker has yet to play up to that level in 5 years in the league, his play has improved over the years as has his durability (played 60% of defensive snaps in all 32 games over the past two years). He just turned 28, so it’s reasonable to think there could still be better days in the immediate future, but there are no promises to that effect.
Jarvis Jenkins was drafted to replace Carriker but has not showed his pre-injury form in training camp yet, so at this point it looks like Carriker will start at defensive left end. Hopefully having Jarvis to spell him will continue to keep Carriker fresh throughout the season. Carriker is a tireless worker with the prototypical 34 DE body. Ideally he can improve iand excel in his third year in the system, but if he maintains the status quo he can at least ably man the position this year and is a good scheme fit so long as he’s healthy at a difficult position to find bodies for.
Background Notes
As a sophomore at Kennewick High School, Carriker was clocked at 93 on the radar gun as a starting pitcher (self-reported).
Adam hosts a pro wrestling show with Chuck Carrol, 4th and Pain, that airs over the Internet every week.
High School 1999 to 2002 – Kennewick High School, WA
Carriker played three years at quarterback for a largely unsuccessful high school program (they didn’t win a game his senior year). Concentrated on defensive end his senior year and made second-team All-Big 9 Conference honors and played in the Washington state all-star game. He was a team captain from his sophomore through his senior years.
College 2002 to 2006 – University of Nebraska
Carriker redshirted his freshman year, but made a strong impression on coaches as the 2004 Nebraska Lifter of the year during the spring between his (RS) freshman year and his (RS) sophomore year.
He broke out in 2005 making numerous 1st and 2nd All-Big 12 teams. His 9.5 sacks tied for the conference lead and he was named Nebraska’s Defensive MVP for the season. After that year Carriker spent the summer getting even bigger to the point that the coaching staff was highly impressed with his speed and strength. Basically, success pushed him to work harder bulking up from 280 to 295. Success pushed him to work harder, and Carriker was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the year as well as to several All-Big 12 teams for turning in a senior year performance that basically mirrored his junior year.
It was noted in his draft profiles that Carriker had a history of nagging ankle issues in college.
NFL Draft
NFL Combine
Carriker ran a 4.9 at the Combine but posted a 4.72 on his Pro Day and was regularly clocked at 4.7 at Nebraska. The combination of the Pro Day 40 time plus 33 bench press reps, a 1.58 10 yard dash time, and his 33.5 inch vertical and roll it into a 300 pound package and you have elite size/speed numbers for a defensive lineman.
Scouting
On the strength of a strong combine, Carriker rose up draft boards from an early consensus 2nd round projection. People loved his size at the time. He had a great Senior Bowl and phenomenal workout numbers which ultimately drove his status up to the 13th pick of the draft.
NFL Stats
Aggregated Advanced Analysis
Scouts Inc.
2012
2011 Scouts Inc. viewed him as a strong positional fit at 5 technique whose best asset is as a run stopper. They call him a tough blue collar player with a high motor – which just means he’s white. Still they note that he has not lived up to his top 15 draft status.
Football Outsiders Almanacs
2012/2011 Carriker did not distinguish himself in either 2011 or 2012 FO game charting. They noted that his re-signing showed Washington was committed to depth for it’s defensive line.
Pro Football Focus Grades
2011 PFF gave Carriker failing marks and viewed him as one of the worst 34 DE’s in the league in 2011. They viewed him as the worst run defending 34 DE in the league and gave him below average pass rushing grades. Was average in the total number of quarterback pressures recorded.
2010 Carriker was considered an average player by PFF’s rating system. He was performed at an above-average level in their run defense grading. Was above-average in the number of 1st down preventing stops made.
Madden Ratings
2013
2012
http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/madden12ratings/_/team/was/id/28/washington-redskins
Contract Numbers
Historical
His rookie deal with the Rams was signed on July 26, 2007, was a five-year, $14.5 million deal, with guaruntees of $9.5 million.
Current
3/13/2012: Signed a four-year, $20 million contract. The deal contains $3.7 million guaranteed — a $3 million signing bonus and Carriker’s first-year base salary. Carriker is eligible for annual $50,000 offseason workout bonuses and $250,000 roster bonuses throughout the contract’s life. 2012: $700,000, 2013: $3.7 million, 2014: $4.7 million (+ $2 million option bonus), 2015: $4.7 million, 2016: Free Agent
Flattering Comparison
On the basis of height, weight, strength and speed, Aaron Smith and Richard Seymour are really the only comparison. They are freak physical specimens and so is Carriker. However…
Unflattering Comparison
That’s where the comparison ends up to this point. Those two players used their unique height and speed giftss to be the two most talented 34 DE’s of their generation. And while Carriker’s measurables make a comparison of him and these two players possible, his performance on the field has never come close to matching the other two. The time Carriker has missed to injury compares to Aaron Smith and perhaps speaks to the fact that it’s incredibly hard on the body to be that big and move that quickly.
