Carter Warren, LT, (No. 120)

[LAD_Brooklyn]

Round 4

No. 120 (via Patriots): Carter Warren, OT, Pitt

How he fits: Zack Rosenblatt’s analysis

For the second straight year, the Jets drafted an offensive tackle in the fourth round — and Warren will likely join the fray with Max Mitchell (fourth-round pick in 2022) in battling for a possible starting job at right tackle with Mekhi Becton. More likely, he’ll act as a swing tackle backup. Warren was a four-year starter at left tackle for Pittsburgh, though he missed most of last season with a knee injury. He allowed five sacks in 2021 but only two sacks in 2020 and 2022 combined. He’s also a New Jersey native, hailing from Paterson.

Dane Brugler’s analysis

Warren was a mainstay at left tackle in offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s balanced scheme. Considered a likely Day 3 draft pick after the 2021 season, he returned to Pitt for his “super senior” season, which was cut short by a knee injury.

As a pass blocker, Warren is efficient in his setup and displays effective use of independent hands mid-engagement. He creates vertical displacement in the run game (when he wants to), but his inconsistent leverage and hand technique lead to negative reps.

 

[slimjasi]

Sounds like he can become a good backup/swing tackle. 

[Copernicus]

Love that we took a OT

 

[nyjbuddy]

 

[C Mart]

POSITIVES

— Excellent arm length that he maximizes with light, independent and well-timed strikes to establish first meaningful contact and disrupt the timing of rushers

— Fluid vertical and 45-degree pass sets to get to his landmark against wider alignments

— Solid core strength to absorb force on contact, give minimal ground and maintain his posture through the block

— Length serves as an effective recovery tool to compensate for lower-half stiffness

— Gets into his run fits on angle-drive blocks on target and under control with good posture and his eyes up

— Shows a firm grasp of spacing, depth and timing to pass off and pick up basic line games, stunts and dual reads

— Has enough initial quicks on his first two steps to overlay and overtake on backside combinations and cover up tight, inside alignments solo

NEGATIVES

— Laborious when having to redirect and shift gears laterally

— Tends to wind-up and strike on his double-under technique, causing him to be late

— Loses positional leverage and doesn't adjust well against effective stutters and hesitations

— Middling power to create sudden force on contact

2022 STATISTICS

— Four starts at LT

— Team captain

NOTES

— Former 3-star offensive tackle recruit out of Passaic High School in Paterson, New Jersey

— 39 career starts at LT

— Turned 24-years old on January 19

— Was invited to the 2022 Senior Bowl before deciding to return to school

— Suffered a season-ending torn meniscus injury during the fourth game of the 2022 season

— Invited to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl

— Trained under Duke Manyweather leading up to the combine

OVERALL

Carter Warren is a four-year starter inside Pittsburgh's balanced, zone-based run scheme with 39 career starts at left tackle, including extensive time spent as a sixth linemen in 2021 on the right side. Warren started just four games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending knee injury that kept him out of the bulk of the off-season process leading up to the draft. Warren has a long, thick frame and build with a huge wingspan and solid athletic ability.

Warren excels as a run-blocker, using efficient initial footwork with excellent length and strong hands to fit and tie up defenders with solid strain to sustain through contact. He doesn't create much force on contact to uproot defenders, but he plays long and can steer them away from the ball. He shows enough speed to be a functional move blocker on pull and leads, but he has some lower-half stiffness that shows up having to redirect on climbs that fast-flow backers can exploit to work across his face.

Warren is a skilled pass-protector with fluid footwork in his pass sets to beat rushers to the spot, using excellent length with well-timed, independent strikes to establish first meaningful contact and quick control. He has the core strength to brace, play long and maintain his posture through contact to keep defenders tied up once latched. He will get manipulated out of position by skilled rushers who know how to set up their moves with stutters and hesitations, creating soft edges that they can penetrate, but his length comes in handy as an effective recovery tool to buy him time while his feet catch up.

Overall, Warren is an experienced leader at left tackle with the physical tools and skill set to compete for a swing tackle role right away before working his way into a starting lineup within his first contract.

GRADE: 7.0 (High-Level Backup or Potential Starter/Round 3)

OVERALL RANK: 84

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10071596-carter-warren-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-for-pittsburgh-ot

[Sperm Edwards]

This is where you make a pipeline OT pick, not in round 1.

[GreenFish]

Love that we have taking three guys in the trenches. Just need a run stuffing DT now and both sides will be set.

Love the position. Dont know the player. 

[slimjasi]

Just now, Sperm Edwards said:

This is where you make a pipeline OT pick, not in round 1.

Haha you have been hammering this point all offseason. You must be proud of JD

[T0mShane]

25 years old with a lot of starting experience. Decent insurance policy. Ok.

[jetstream23]

This draft will always be about Aaron Rodgers, but it’s nice to see the Jets come out with two offensive lineman, and a premier edge rusher.

The depth on the O Line is really improved at this point. There’s a pipeline.

[slimjasi]

Just now, T0mShane said:

25 years old with a lot of starting experience. Decent insurance policy. Ok.

Can also play both sides, which is key. 

[MR.GANGGREEN28]

JD just doubled down on 4th round OTs and has now increased the odds that 1 of them will become a solid starter.

I like that Warren is an experienced leader and was a captain on his team. JD has been amazing at drafting high quality character guys.

[David Harris]

Love that JD goes trenches as much as possible.

[KRL]

8 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

This is where you make a pipeline OT pick, not in round 1.

Excellent point!!!  Drafting an OT in round 1 leaves you open to an
"unused" asset if he doesn't beat out Brown or Becton.  Where you 
know McDonald will be on the field in passing downs (at a minimum)

[Rochester Jets]

Looks like we have a good group of young, talented guys across the OL now.  Should be very helpful as they’re cheap for now and will have time to grow together over the next few season.  Gotta like seeing this!

[sourceworx]

Depth move. Love it.

[Darnold's Forehead]

 

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

Just tuning in now.

Looks like we traded back?

What did we net in trade?

[Embrace the Suck]

Wish he wasn't turning 25 as the Jets enter the playoffs for the first time in forever this coming January.

[Flashlite80]

30 minutes ago, LAD_Brooklyn said:

Round 4

No. 120 (via Patriots): Carter Warren, OT, Pitt

How he fits: Zack Rosenblatt’s analysis

For the second straight year, the Jets drafted an offensive tackle in the fourth round — and Warren will likely join the fray with Max Mitchell (fourth-round pick in 2022) in battling for a possible starting job at right tackle with Mekhi Becton. More likely, he’ll act as a swing tackle backup. Warren was a four-year starter at left tackle for Pittsburgh, though he missed most of last season with a knee injury. He allowed five sacks in 2021 but only two sacks in 2020 and 2022 combined. He’s also a New Jersey native, hailing from Paterson.

Dane Brugler’s analysis

Warren was a mainstay at left tackle in offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s balanced scheme. Considered a likely Day 3 draft pick after the 2021 season, he returned to Pitt for his “super senior” season, which was cut short by a knee injury.

As a pass blocker, Warren is efficient in his setup and displays effective use of independent hands mid-engagement. He creates vertical displacement in the run game (when he wants to), but his inconsistent leverage and hand technique lead to negative reps.

 

So if I read this right, 2 sacks in 15 starts at LT. exclusively, in 2020 and 2022.  Played Lt and spent extensive time as sixth lineman on right side and allowed 5 sacks.  Sounds like a solid LT who struggled when he was a swing option on the right.

Looks like solid developmental pick, especially since Mitchell is a right tackle.  These two should be solid depth behind Becton and Davis.  Oboguehi is another solid bench piece.

Still need a run stuffing DT, a linebacker and a free safety.  Still have 2 fifth rounders. Lots of time left.  Should be a long list of undrafted players.  Some nice bargains in the free agent bin about to be flooded by players dropped after the draft.

[NYJCAP2]

I like him. Tons of experience. Now go bring his RB from Pitt home too.

[32EBoozer]

41 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

25 years old with a lot of starting experience. Decent insurance policy. Ok.

36" arms & 84.5" wingspan! If he has good technique he can definitely project as a swing tackle

[GreenReaper]

Warren was a captain.  JD loves players with character-leadership qualities.  He's from Patterson, NJ. 

Like Max Mitchell, he could become a starter in year two or three at one of the tackle positions.   Noted for being a strong run blocker.  Needs to get stronger.  But his biggest weakness is sloppy technique.  Warren is defined as a "blank canvas".  Coaches like that.  He can be molded into the offensive system.  

Refining his technique is the key to Warren becoming a starter.   

Another good OL pick in the 4th round. 

[Saul Goodman]

Creating a numbers game for the tackle positions. Just glad that we aren’t relying on Becton. If he manages to do anything, it’s a bonus and we have depth. 

[68JET11]

26 minutes ago, JoeNamathsFurCoat said:

Just tuning in now.

Looks like we traded back?

What did we net in trade?

Jets receive: No. 120 and No. 184

[Jack Straw]

Last night, I was trying to figure out who JD would target at LT in the fourth round, and Carter Warren kept coming to mind as the only obvious choice. With current LT3 being AVT, I believe JD was only interested in players capable of playing left tackle, which likely meant "right tackle only" prospects weren't even considered or removed from the board entirely. 

So why Carter as the obvious choice? Joe D seems to value players with extensive college tape, and Carter checks that box. He also appreciates prospects who possess a "rare" trait that sets them apart, like size (Becton), length (Becton, Max Mitchell, Tipperman), or speed and athleticism (Tipperman, AVT, Becton). Carter's nearly 36-inch arm length certainly distinguishes him from the remaining offensive tackles on the board.

Joe D is all about finding value as well. Carter's injury last year and his age of 24.3 years might make him less appealing to most teams, who generally prefer younger players with greater perceived upside. However, with the Jets and Joe D in win-now mode, they likely view his age as a positive factor. With Duane Brown at 38 and Becton recovering from another significant injury, the third-string offensive tackle must be prepared to play in 2023. Choosing a young, developing OT could be a huge risk, especially with a 40-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback depending on them.

I imagine the Jets compared Carter's projected production to available free agents. If their analysis indicated that Carter's performance would be similar to the remaining free agents, but at only 1/8th the cost, then selecting him was an easy decision that offers excellent value.

Personally, I believe picking older players on day three is a brilliant strategy for discovering hidden gems. This approach secures these players during their prime years (24 to 28) while on affordable contracts, often yielding a much higher return than the price paid. This is a stark contrast to selecting younger, developmental prospects who require 3-4 years of development, only to demand substantial salaries during their free-agent seasons.

Nice job by Joe D in round 4. 

[rillo]

I like it

[Jack Straw]

Whoops -- double posted sorry.

[68JET11]

Love the attention to the OL... You need to keep the well from running dry.

[Vader]

44 minutes ago, 68JET11 said:

Jets receive: No. 120 and No. 184

key

[derp]

This one kind of reminded me of the Micheal Clemons pick last year. Older guy, premium position, lots of experience, good college player, injuries factor into the fall a little. I bet in the presser we find out they really liked Warren, similar to Clemons. Obviously the Clemons pick was pretty awesome, hope this one works out the same.

Like that they’re getting younger on the OL. Potentially strong on the iOL too with AVT and Tippmann. It’d be something if Warren and Mitchell end up being adequate at tackle, especially with the help they have inside.

Also like that both of Mitchell and Warren are pass protectors first.

[batman10023]

2 hours ago, NYJCAP2 said:

I like him. Tons of experience. Now go bring his RB from Pitt home too.

Nice call

[Thai Jet]

3 hours ago, Copernicus said:

Love that we took a OT

 

Kinda had to  IMHO 

[win4ever]

I was starting to look at film on him today, so I put on the All-22 from the Clemson match up in 2021 (believe he went against Myles Murphy).  What stood out to me so far was that, they basically rotated it at the tackle spot within the same drive.  Like one play, he'd be at RT, the next play he's at LT.  Max Mitchell had the same thing happen to him last year as well.  

So far my takeaways: 

Positiive:

+ Very versatile, moving around at the OL in both tackle positions is definitely hard.  He does this numerous times in the game.

+ Holding his own vs. Murphy and Clemson.  Murphy does get a sack, but that was because of a blitz where Pickett fell too far back in the pocket.

+Good at keeping pocket integrity, if someone rushes him to the outside, he's good at pushing them away from the pocket behind the QB

Negative:

- He has a weird tendency to sometimes hop inside.  At the snap, if he's supposed to have inside leverage, he'll hop inside, instead of stepping inside.  This leaves his outside shoulder completely vulnerable.

- Struggles in run blocking because he rarely pushes his man backwards, almost always goes sideways

-Susceptible to swim move, doesn't have the quickest feet when it comes to resetting.  

He seems like a swing tackle, very much in the mold of Max Mitchell.  Extremely versatile, that shows really good ability as a pass protector.  His run blocking and play strength need to improve but showed enough against an elite prospect in Murphy that he's not a JAG.  If his run blocking can improve, I think he's an above average RT.