Florida Football: 2022 NFL Mock Draft for Gator prospects

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter (6) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter (6) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter (6) celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter (6) celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Zachary Carter, DE — No. 88 to the Cowboys (3rd round)

Talk about a grown man’s body, Zachary Carter is built like your prototypical NFL defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds and he’s going to be a Day 2 prospect, in my opinion.

There’s a chance Carter could fall to the fourth or fifth rounds, but a team like the Cowboys who need an edge rusher will take a chance on him in round three. Heck, he could even go earlier in round three based on his potential, but I think mid-to-late third is the safest bet.

Carter has a big frame so he could potentially play on the interior of the line, but he showed plenty at Florida to suggest he could be an elite edge rusher.

In fact, he had his best season in 2021, recording 31 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He finished his four-year career with 102 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. He also batted down eight passes at the line of scrimmage.

Dallas could use a big body like this off the edge.