In most cases, undrafted rookies who come to teams as free agents tend to have their destiny all but marked: to end up in a practice squad. However, some of them get priority contracts since the franchises see them as talents to be polished and who can shine in the future in the team. Such was the case in 2020 for defensive end Ron’Dell Carter.
Hailing from James Madison University, Carter received a signing bonus on his contract with the Cowboys. However, the then rookie did not make the roster in 2020 and was inducted into the practice squad in September. Later that month, the Colts “stole” the young prospect to cover losses to his defensive line.
Although Carter was shaping up to have more chances to play in Indianapolis due to the casualties, this ultimately did not happen. The defensive end was declared inactive in each of the five weeks he was on the roster. Then, in November, the Colts released Carter, who later returned to the Dallas practice squad.
After returning to the cowboy team, Carter participated in three games of the 2020 season. The then rookie recorded 39 special teams snaps and 26 defensive snaps, notching an assisted tackle in the latter section. Despite his low turnout, the Cowboys decided to give him another shot by offering him an exclusive rights free agent offer for 2021, which Carter signed in March.
Alternate #Cowboys $$ news:
Ron’Dell Carter has been extended his ERFA tender, and he’s now officially in the books for 2021.
The previously undrafted pass rusher gets a shot to show Dan Quinn what he’s got. He was poached by the Colts before returning to Dallas in 2020.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) March 9, 2021
Cowboys DL Eli Ankou (No. 95) played 27 defensive snaps on Tuesday, including this one. He is inactive today. Bengals figure to pass more than Ravens did, so a good opportunity to involve and evaluate rookie DL Ron’Dell Carter as interior rusher in NFL debut. pic.twitter.com/5kuEeHLEIQ
– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 13, 2020
What can Ron’Dell Carter offer the cowboy team?
This Cowboys “second chance” at Carter means only one thing: The team still hopes to unleash the potential of this young defensive end. And despite coming from a “small” university, Carter left good impressions in his college years.
In his final year playing for James Madison University (JMU), Ron’Dell Carter recorded 66 total tackles, 27 tackles for turnovers, 12 sacks, 13 pressures to the quarterback, a forced fumble and a defended pass, all in 16 encounters. This performance earned the defensive end being selected to the 2019 All-American Senior First Team.
In terms of his characteristics, Carter is a player of good size and with appropriate skills to pressure the rival passer. However, his athleticism is below average. Besides, he needs to polish his defensive skills a lot and improve his pursuit speed. But despite this, the cowboy team still hopes to capitalize on the young prospect.
JMU DE Ron’Dell Carter bringing pressure beats the tackle for the sack. This JMU defensive line is a problem. @rc5____ pic.twitter.com/Xz7bKOBppM
— Robert Cardona (@CARDONAFAM29) October 20, 2019
What’s Carter’s outlook in Dallas? Will he be able to make the roster?
Just because the Cowboys decided in March to keep Ron’Dell Carter on the team doesn’t mean he has a better chance of making the roster. It is worth noting that the continuity of the defensive end was agreed before Dallas incorporated reinforcements in free agency, and long before the 2021 Draft.
Therefore, Carter has a difficult outlook for a spot on the team. The incumbent positions, as we know, belong to DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. If he wants to get a roster spot, Carter will have to compete with Tarell Basham, rookie Chauncey Golston and 2020 draft Bradlee Anae, among others.
And it’s not just that: Carter has to convince Dallas’s new defensive coordinator as well. While the defensive end had a few chances with Mike Nolan at the helm, he may not have the same fate with Dan Quinn. Practically, Carter will have to “start from scratch,” and with more competition than he had last year.
Ron’Dell Carter says not today WVU☝️#FCS
(via @JMUFootball)pic.twitter.com/OBBVRuOvq5— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) August 31, 2019
Given this, there are three very clear scenarios for Ron’Dell Carter heading into this year: enter the active Dallas roster, get back in the cowboy practice squad, or be chosen by another team. This last option didn’t work out last year, as Carter didn’t play for the Colts despite his defensive line casualties. However, things could be different for the young player in 2021.
It remains to be seen then what happens to Ron’Dell Carter after the Dallas camp and preseason. Any of the aforementioned scenarios is feasible, so it will be up to the defensive end to show whether the team’s little faith in him was worth it. Or, end up becoming just another one of the many undrafted prospects who end up moving from one practice squad to another through half the league.
