Coming into the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft the New England Patriots had one pick in the round at #193. They then traded that pick to Philadelphia swapping it with the #194 pick for who knows what reason.
With the #194 selection of the draft the Patriots took OLB/DE Markell Carter of Central Arkansas.
So after passing on all the big name linebackers and defensive ends Bill Belichick takes a guy no one has ever heard of or seen play. Sound familiar? You bet it does. Belichick has a knack for taking these players and getting something out of them.
Carter, who is 6’4”, 252 lbs., recorded 5.5 sacks and had 19 tackles for loss for the while forcing 3 fumbles for the Bears and was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team.
As a junior in 2009 he was named to the second team all-conference after he had 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. For his career he had 15.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss.
He projects as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense and as an outside end rusher in the 4-man line sub package.
Carter is still not the most well known Central Arkansas alum that could belong to Basketball Hall of Fame member Scottie Pippen, Survivor Samoa winner Natalie White or possibly American Idol Kris Allen.
The team is scheduled to next pick at #219 in the seventh and final round.
