Ka’Deem Carey RB Arizona #25
Wt: 207
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[level-2014-scouting-reports]
Size/Athleticism: Lacks ideal size and doesn’t really have the electric athleticism to make up for it. Plays bigger than his size though, and is capable of breaking some tackles.
Vision: Has his moments where he’ll string together a few moves and his vision looks great. But he tends to get the ball and just lower his head and plow into a non-existent hole too often. An undersized back needs to have better vision to give him the ability to become slippery as he works between the tackles but he lacks the vision and/or the ability to anticipate where defenders are coming from at the second level.
Power: Generates a decent push for his size. He can get low and has the strong legs to push the pile when he gets the right leverage. Lacks the size to provide a guaranteed positive play on every down though—gets hit hard and knocked backwards too often. Lacks the ability to spin off tackles and fall forward like some smaller backs have to make up for lack of size.
Speed/Agility: Runs with great balance. Quick enough to make guys miss in the open field. Lacks the explosion to really make up for his lack of size. Start-and-stop ability is average at best, which really shows up when he tries to run between the tackles. Speed is adequate, but there’s no second gear to leave defenders in his dust. Ran a 4.70 at the combine, but he clearly plays faster that that time.
Passing Game: Gives an effort as a blocker but the technique is shaky and sometimes just downright awful. Needs to stay low and play with leverage and not give up just because he’s at a size disadvantage. Doesn’t know how to use leverage to his advantage consistently. Decent productivity as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Occassionally lined up wide. Shows good technique catching the ball away from his body and quickly securing it.
Intangibles: Arrested and charged with assault on his pregnant ex-girlfriend in 2012, although charges were later dropped. Suspeded for 2013 season opener for violation of team rules. Kicked out of an Arizona basketball for an altercation with staff members. Reportedly removed from some team boards.
Durability: Extremely durable, but he’s already taken a pounding on a small frame. 714 touches over the past two seasons is a ton of work, and probably takes a year or two of quality production away from him in the NFL if he were to emerge as a feature back at the next level also.
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Comments: Carey has some potential and may be capable of playing a starting role in the right system if surrounded by a strong supporting cast. But he’s slightly undersized and lacks the explosion that you really need to overcome the size disadvantage. Some backs, such as Ahmad Bradshaw, have found success despite limited explosive ability, and Carey displays some of the same power that allowed Bradshaw to have a nice run before injuries derailed his career. He’s an interesting developmental prospect as a result, but off-field issues have reportedly removed him from some draft boards.
