Round 7: Grambling State RB Martez Carter – 5-8, 205 – 4.54 – Senior

The Bucs have a promising, Earnest Graham-type player on their roster in Peyton Barber, and in this mock draft spent a third-round pick on Georgia running back Nick Chubb. That’s not enough running backs in Tampa Bay after the Bucs parted ways with underachieving starter Doug Martin and won’t re-sign running back Charles Sims. Carter appeared in PewterReport.com’s initial 2018 Bucs’ 7-Round Mock Draft as a sixth-round pick, and he’s back in the third edition.

Drafting an electric player like Carter to be a situational back on all three downs would add some playmaking to the Bucs offense. He’s a slightly bigger version of Chicago rookie Tarik Cohen, who is 5-foot-6, 181 pounds, who was the Bears’ fourth-round pick last April. Cohen rushed for two touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass, threw for another score, and returned a punt for a touchdown in his rookie season. Including special teams, Cohen accounted for 1,599 yards for the Bears. That’s the type of production that Carter could produce as a multi-purpose weapon in Tampa Bay.

Carter’s Grambling State Career Rushing Stats

2017: 167 carries for 854 yards (5.1 avg.), 10 TDs, long of 76

2016: 116 carries for 891 yards (7.7 avg.), 10 TDs, long of 75

2015: 111 carries for 876 yards (7.9 avg.), 9 TDs, long of 90

2014: 2 carries for 7 yards (3.5 avg.), long of 6

Carter’s Grambling State Career Receiving Stats

2017: 33 catches for 449 yards (13.6 avg.), 2 TDs, long of 60

2016: 28 catches for 376 yards (13.4 avg.), 3 TDs, long of 49

2015: 12 catches for 134 yards (11.2 avg.), 4 TDs, long of 29

2014: 1 catch for 2 yards (2 avg.), long of 2

Carter’s Grambling State Career Kick Return Stats

2017: 17 returns for 237 yards (13.9 avg.), long of 28

2016: 19 returns for 443 yards (23.3 avg.), 1 TD, long of 88

2015: 23 returns for 616 yards (26.8 avg.), 2 TDs, long of 100

2014: 32 returns for 770 yards (24.1 avg.), 1 TD, long of 92

Carter’s Grambling State Career Punt Return Stats

2017: 3 returns for 20 yards (6.9 avg.), long of 9

2016: 19 returns for 182 yards (9.6 avg.), long of 37

2015: 2 returns for 37 yards (18.5 avg.), long of 37

2014: 2 returns for 14 yards (7 avg.), long of 13

Carter is a tough, physical runner with a nice burst, quick feet and amazing balance. He’s rushed for over 800 yards the last three seasons for the Tigers and has 10 100-yard games. Carter is capable of ripping off long runs, and his lack of size makes it easy for him to hide behind offensive linemen and then breakaway into the open.
Carter has natural hands in the passing game, evidenced by 79 career catches for 961 yards (12.2 avg.). With continued work in pass protection, Carter could replace Sims as the team’s third down back when Chubb or Barber needs a breather.

Carter also has a nose for the end zone as he’s scored 42 touchdowns at Grambling State. He had 29 touchdowns on the ground, including 10 each in the last two seasons, nine through the air and four on special teams where Carter has proven to be a deadly kick returner. With the Bucs in need of a pass-catching, change-of-pace running back and help in the return game, Carter would be a welcomed addition with their final pick.