Cincinnati Bengals Selected Clemson Linebacker Barrett Carter in Fourth Round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Bengals selected Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter with the 119th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

He had 82 tackles (10.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks last season. He was Dane Brugler's ninth linebacker and projected to be a fourth round pick. He had 31.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in four seasons at Clemson.

"A speedy run-and-hit athlete, Carter is one of the best open-field pursuit defenders in this draft class and has genuine sideline-to-sideline range," Brugler wrote. "Though he tracks the ball well, he will run himself into roadblocks and needs to widen his vision and improve his take-on hands to avoid becoming Velcroed to blockers. Overall, Carter plays with the type of pursuit speed that can be weaponized as both a run defender and cover man, although he might be too reactionary and undersized for what some NFL schemes desire. At the very least, he will be lightning on special teams coverages while fighting for footing on the linebacker depth chart.

Carter joins a linebacker room that includes Logan Wilson and second round pick Demetrius Knight Jr.