Caelen Carson NFL Draft Profile
- College: Wake Forest
- College Position: Boundary CB / Slot CB
- Ideal NFL Position: Slot CB
- Height/Weight: 6'0", 195 pounds
- Year / Age: Junior / 21
- Draft Projection: Third Round
- Where I'd Take Him: Mid-third round
Background
Caelen Carson grew up in Waldorf, Maryland, and attended high school at North Point, where he was awarded first-team All-Maryland after logging three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and 40 tackles his senior season. Splitting time as a defensive back and a wide receiver, Carson also lettered in basketball and ran track.
A three-star recruit of 247Sports and two-star recruit of Rivals, Carson committed to Wake Forest and nabbed his first career interception against Virginia. As a redshirt freshman, Carson finished the season with 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. His 2021 campaign earned him second-team All-ACC honors.
In 2023, his final season at Wake Forest, Carson started all 11 games and finished with 42 total tackles, eight pass breakups, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He had four games with five or more tackles in 2023.
Strengths
- Solid NFL frame with adequate length and hip fluidity to mirror receivers
- Physical cornerback who plays with an edge and swagger, tenacity allows him to match up against bigger receivers
- Football IQ is high, often took it upon himself to direct traffic in the secondary
- Inside/outside versatility
- Well-versed in route recognition as a former WR
- Excellent short-area burst
Weaknesses
- Can get overly aggressive in coverage, which will lead to flags at the next level
- Has trouble locating the ball on vertical routes downfield
- Can get sloppy with fundamentals at times
- Ball skills, while adequate, could be better
Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Caelen Carson
Caelen Carson, like Kentucky's Andru Phillips, is another player flying under the radar as the 2024 NFL Draft inches closer and closer. Though this cornerback class doesn't have a bona fide superstar like recent classes, it's an incredibly deep group that offers talent well into the third and fourth rounds. Teams will be able to find serviceable, immediate starters even in the back half of the third round, and for a position as volatile as cornerback, that's invaluable.
Carson will need some refinement at the next level and may have to cut his teeth as a slot cornerback. In that role, he'll get more favorable matchups that let him take advantage of his bullying playstyle, and teams will be able to use his tenacity in the run game to stifle opposing offenses.
Carson will also need a coach to guide him about consistently maintaining his fundamentals. There are moments on film where he seems to get lazy with his footwork or eye discipline, and at the next level, he won't be able to take plays off if he wants to remain employed.
With the Chicago Bears already having a top-five slot cornerback in Kyler Gordon, they don't have any interest in using a top-85 draft pick on a player like Carson. But I do think he represents value for the team that drafts him. Earlier this year, Mel Kiper had Carson as high as his CB8 in all of college football, but inconsistent fundamentals and redundancy make him a player to pass on for Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles.
NFL Comparison: Aaron Robinson
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