“Tank” has a lot to offer the Lions

Prospect: Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE, Florida State
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 265 lb.
Grade: 7.0 (Grading Scale)

Athleticism:
• Hips have some flexibility as pass rusher
• Lacks fluidity overall, movements very deliberate
• Top end speed and burst to close leave something to be desired
• More effective in open field than expected
• Plays with wide base and exceptional balance, aids change of direction skills

Intelligence/Effort:
• High motor leads to high production rate in tackles/sacks/hurries
• Very disciplined eyes, finds football quickly
• Football IQ and scheme understanding high for player with limited starting experience

Pass Rush:
• Use of quality pass rush moves inconsistent, reliant on a sublime swim move though
• Very strong bullrush with low pad level, needs to incorporate it more
• Likes to slow-play his pass rushes, wait for QB’s who hold the ball to show their hand
• Lacks significant burst off the snap, sometimes a half second slow
• Superior strength in speed rushes, tough to wedge off of his pass rush arc
• Non-stop nose for the football, never quits on rushes

Run Support:
• Disengage limited by hand usage at times, relies heavily on raw strength
• Leverages ball from outside to inside with consistency
• Always keeps outside shoulder free and sets a hard edge
• High tackle rate, sheds and closes on ball quickly, chases down plays

Technique:
• Exposes too much of his chest at times as a pass rusher, hand usage raw
• Hands violent with a heavy first punch if he can place it properly
• Suitable pad level

Overall:
Physically, Tank Carradine has the tools of first round pick defensive ends. Combine that with high production and you’ve got yourself an intriguing defensive end prospect. He’s a powerful pass rusher with some upside. Despite the high sack totals (16.5 in two seasons) the JUCO transfer is an even better run stopper. He’s still a raw prospect when you look at the big picture.

Carradine is also coming off a season-ending ACL tear in a late November loss against Florida. His rehabilitation will need to be checked out before a team can invest a high pick in him. He leaves a bit to be desired athletically and will probably never be a league-leading sack guy. Even so, he brings high value as a run-stopping defensive end who may still be an unshaped piece of clay as a pass rusher…a productive piece of clay at that.

Darren Page, @DarrenPage15