Cincinnati Bengals Bolster Defense With Explosive and Versatile Linebacker Barrett Carter From Clemson in 2025 NFL Draft
The Cincinnati Bengals used their 2025 NFL Draft pick to make a major statement about the future of their defense, selecting Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter. The move signals the team’s intent to reinforce the heart of its defense with speed, versatility, and football IQ that few players in this class possess. With this pick, Cincinnati is not only addressing a present need but also potentially laying the foundation for a new defensive identity built around an athletic playmaker capable of contributing immediately.
Barrett Carter entered the draft as one of the most dynamic defenders in college football. A five-star recruit out of Georgia, Carter spent his career at Clemson making his presence felt across the field. He was a linchpin of the Tigers’ defense, a leader whose ability to blitz, cover, and tackle made him a rare asset. Throughout his college career, Carter consistently displayed traits NFL evaluators covet: speed to close, strength to shed blocks, instincts to anticipate plays, and leadership that’s hard to teach.
In 2024, his final season at Clemson, Carter recorded 89 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. He was a key reason Clemson remained a top-tier defensive unit and stayed competitive in the ACC. His game tape shows a relentless motor and keen situational awareness. Whether he’s flying downhill to stuff a run, dropping into zone to bait a quarterback, or aligning outside to cover a tight end or back, Carter does it all at a high level.
For the Bengals, who have been in the playoff mix for several seasons behind the offensive brilliance of Joe Burrow and the skill group led by Ja’Marr Chase, the defense has often been a step behind. Injuries and inconsistency plagued their linebacking corps in recent years, and with veteran contracts looming and a competitive AFC landscape, Cincinnati’s front office knew it needed to upgrade the middle level of the defense. Carter fits that need perfectly.
In recent seasons, the Bengals leaned heavily on Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt, both solid linebackers with reliable production. But the team lacked a true sideline-to-sideline force, someone who could erase mistakes with athleticism and make game-changing plays in big moments. Carter is not just a plug-and-play linebacker—he’s a potential Pro Bowl-caliber athlete who can help Cincinnati adapt to the modern, pass-heavy offenses that dominate today’s NFL.
Head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo have to be thrilled. Anarumo is known for his creative defensive schemes and multiple fronts, and Carter’s hybrid skillset gives him a chess piece who can be deployed in various roles. On early downs, Carter can help against the run with gap discipline and explosiveness. On passing downs, he can drop into coverage or rush the passer from the edge. His experience in Brent Venables’ and Wes Goodwin’s complex defenses at Clemson only enhances his transition to an NFL scheme that values versatility and pre-snap disguise.
Carter’s fit in Cincinnati goes beyond Xs and Os. He brings the kind of leadership and locker-room presence the Bengals have embraced in recent drafts. Character matters to this front office, and Carter has consistently been praised by coaches and teammates for his maturity, work ethic, and team-first mentality. As Cincinnati looks to extend its Super Bowl window, adding high-character players who elevate others is crucial. Carter checks that box emphatically.
The selection of Carter also reflects a broader strategic pivot for Cincinnati. In recent years, they’ve built through the draft with a heavy emphasis on offense—Burrow, Chase, Jackson Carman, and others have been high-profile additions. But with the offensive core now largely in place and under contract, the Bengals can afford to invest top assets in defense. Drafting Carter shows a commitment to balance, something that could be the difference in a tightly contested AFC playoff race where stops in January often matter more than fireworks in September.
Carter’s arrival also opens up possibilities for Cincinnati’s defensive personnel usage. With him on the field, the Bengals can afford to stay in nickel packages without sacrificing run support. He gives them the freedom to be more aggressive with blitzing and disguising coverage. Opponents won’t be able to isolate slower linebackers in coverage anymore, nor will quarterbacks feel comfortable checking down over the middle with Carter lurking in zone. His presence elevates every other defender around him.
One underrated aspect of this pick is the mentorship opportunity it presents. Logan Wilson, one of the most intelligent and steady linebackers in the league, now has a protégé to guide. The pairing of Wilson and Carter gives Cincinnati both a present and future at linebacker—an ideal bridge from veteran leadership to youthful explosiveness. It’s not hard to envision Wilson calling the defense while Carter flies around creating chaos in his rookie season.
The Bengals’ brass were quick to praise Carter following the pick. In post-draft interviews, Taylor and Anarumo lauded Carter’s preparation, his interview sessions, and his football IQ. They noted that he was one of the smartest players they evaluated during the process and that he already sees the game like a veteran. That’s no surprise to Clemson fans, who watched him grow from a raw but athletic freshman to a polished, multi-dimensional linebacker capable of handling any role he was asked to play.
Cincinnati’s investment in Carter also speaks to a growing league-wide trend: the value of hybrid defenders who can match up in space. Gone are the days when linebackers could just be run stuffers. Today’s NFL demands coverage skills, lateral movement, and versatility from its linebackers, and Carter embodies all of those traits. He’s part of a new breed of defenders, and the Bengals recognized that reality by pulling the trigger on draft night.
This pick may also serve as a subtle message to the rest of the AFC North. While division rivals like the Ravens and Steelers pride themselves on hard-nosed defensive play, the Bengals are asserting that they, too, are willing to invest heavily in defensive impact players. Carter’s presence could tilt matchups against mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, who thrive on creating outside the pocket. Cincinnati is positioning itself to contain those threats more effectively in 2025 and beyond.
From Carter’s perspective, Cincinnati offers a near-perfect landing spot. He joins a playoff-caliber team with a strong culture, a clear role waiting for him, and a coaching staff that values his unique skillset. He’ll be able to contribute immediately, develop behind veteran mentors, and grow into a defensive cornerstone for a team with championship aspirations.
The learning curve in the NFL is real, and no rookie is guaranteed success. But if there’s a linebacker in this draft class who appears ready to make an immediate impact, it’s Barrett Carter. His blend of speed, power, intelligence, and passion for the game puts him in elite company. More importantly, his personality fits the Bengals’ locker room and culture, something Cincinnati has worked hard to cultivate over the past several seasons.
Ultimately, the Bengals didn’t just draft a player—they made an investment in their identity. As Joe Burrow and the offense continue to operate at a high level, the key to playoff success may come down to getting critical stops in big moments. Carter gives them a much better chance to do that. He’s a linebacker who plays like a safety, hits like a defensive end, and thinks like a coach. Those are rare traits, and Cincinnati was wise to make him their pick.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Carter as he transitions from ACC star to NFL defender. If his Clemson career is any indication, he won’t just meet expectations—he’ll exceed them. The Bengals just got better, faster, and more dangerous on defense. Barrett Carter might be the missing piece that turns Cincinnati from a contender into a champion. Time will tell, but for now, the Bengals and their fans have every reason to be excited.
