Prospect Spotlight: Cyprien, Carter

[Lil Uno]

Instead of releasing several mocks between now and the draft, I will look to introduce several prospect profiles to introduce players that aren't getting much attention. Prospects that I feel our organization will be interested based on numerous deciding factors. With that, we start with:



Jonathan Cyprien, S/LB, FIU
Size: 6'1, 210
Projected Round: 3rd-5th Round Pick
Cyprien vs. Louisville

Positives:
*Size
*Leadership
*Closing Speed
*Big Hitter
*Versatile
*Strength & Physicality
*Well-Rounded
*Hips

Negatives:
*Form Tackling
*Scheme
*Long Speed
*Level of Competition
*Angles

Uno's Take: Cyprien is a prospect who is steadily improving his stock with a chance to rise even more with an appearance at the Senior Bowl. He possesses ideal size at the safety spot and plays with the aggressive demeanor you want from the position. At FIU, Cyprien plays roughly 60 percent of his snaps in the box at the LB position. From that experience, he is well-versed in run support but hasn't been tested deep very often in a weak conference. He is a big hitter that will have receivers thinking twice about coming his way. I don't expect him to have an impressive 40 time, but he is deceptive in his closing speed. He often comes of from the secondary and drops the ball-carrier in the backfield. He also does a good job of baiting QB's with that speed. Overall, Cyprien is a big and physical safety. He will have to show that he covers as well as he plays the run if he want's to continue rising.


Michael Carter, CB, Minnesota
Size: 5'11, 190
Projected Round: 5th-7th Round Pick
Carter vs. Purdue

Positives:
*Ball Skills
*Short Agility
*Instincts
*Form Tackling

Negatives:
*Run Support
*Scheme Limited
*Long Speed
*Strength
*Inconsistent

Uno's Take: Carter was challenged by his cousin, former Viking/Steeler and Thorpe award winner Tyrone Carter to step up his game this year and he responded. Carter was a key player on the Gophers defense all year and has been one of the best DBs to come through Minnesota in awhile. He possesses oustanding coverage ability, Carter does a good job of reading receivers and then jumping the route. When tested deep, he does a good job of locating the football and making a play on the ball. Carter does have limited speed, but with his impessive instincts he makes for an strong Cover 2 fit. Prior to this year Carter struggled to stay on the field due to inconsistency. At this point, Carter's looks to be a developmental corner with #2 upside and his stock will depend on what he runs at the combine.
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[[UMN]]

if Jonathan Cyprien could put on 20 pounds he could be a good 4-3 OLB for a Cover-2 team.

There really isn't much opportunity for an in-the-box SS anymore in the NFL.
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[Lil Uno]

[Klomp]

Like his cousin, I think Michael could be better suited as a S.
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