Shane Carden QB East Carolina #5
Wt: 213
Size/Athleticism: Adequate size but it’s definitely not an asset. Plays reckless at times and will take some hits and doesn’t necessarily have the body to hold up with that style of play. Decent athlete and capable of making plays on the move. Mobility compares favorably to Alex Smith.
Arm strength/Accuracy: Adequate arm strength – not necessarily a strength, but he can get the ball downfield and it holds up when he’s on the move. Accuracy is adequate on short and intermediate passes, but he is prone to some errant throws when his mechanics fail him. Not often asked to thrown downfield, and when he does it’s typically jump balls to Justin Hardy so there have been limited opportunities to gauge his deep ball accuracy.
Footwork/Release: Very inconsistent mechanics. Capable of making strong, fundamentally sound throws but has very inconsistent footwork. Often throws from an open stance and from a quirky three-quarters arm slot.
Decision making: Plays in an offense that requires a lot of short, quick passes. Not asked to go through many reads and often locks on to Justin Hardy. Shaky offensive line play has given him plenty of experience under pressure, but he’s a little quick to run. He’s a gambler, and his overall style of play is reminiscent of Brett Favre.
Intangibles: Three-year starter.
Durability: No known issues.
[/level-scouting-reports]
Overview: Carden is a developmental prospect who needs to work on his mechanics and his patience in the pocket. He’s a Brett Favre-like gambler and a little too reckless at times. Mobility is an asset, but he needs to learn to move within the pocket rather than attempting to make plays on the run. He has the basic set of tools necessary to play at the next level, but should be viewed strictly as a developmental Day 3 prospect.
