Carter

Coughlin

It sounds like salary cap shenanigans with the core special teamer, whose salary would no longer be guaranteed if he’s re-signed in Week 2. Sadly, these kinds of moves are common with players like Coughlin. Stay tuned.

Coughlin broke the news on his personal Instagram. Drafted in 2020, Coughlin only saw meaningful work on defense as a rookie. Since then, he has served as a special teams ace for the G-Men. He came up just a few snaps shy of 400 special teams reps in 2022 and 2023. He logged nine special teams tackles in back-to-back years.

Coughlin (6'3/236) started 38 consecutive games to close his career at Minnesota, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in back-to-back seasons. There are zero questions about his motor and effort transitioning to the NFL, but there is a chance he’s shifted to outside linebacker if he struggles to threaten league tackles (due to being underweight) early in his career. Fortunately, his 10-yard split (1.54-seconds, 99th-percentile), straight-line 40-speed (4.57), and vertical (36") at Indy’s combine proved Coughlin has the traits to drop back and cover speedy players if needed. His upside as a rookie is as a rotational linebacker.

Coughlin (6'3/236) started 38 consecutive games to close his career at Minnesota, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in back-to-back seasons. There are zero questions about his motor and effort transitioning to the NFL, but there is a chance he’s shifted to outside linebacker if he struggles to threaten league tackles (due to being underweight) early in his career. Fortunately, his 10-yard split (1.54-seconds, 99th-percentile), straight-line 40-speed (4.57), and vertical (36") at Indy’s combine proved Coughlin has the traits to drop back and cover speedy players if needed. His upside as a rookie is as a rotational linebacker.

Coughlin (6'3/236) also posted a vertical jump of 36 inches and a broad jump of 126 inches on Saturday. PFF has concerns about the Minnesota defender’s strength, noting that “any tackle worth a damn will wait out edge rushers like Coughlin and clamp down on their shoulder pads once they make a move.” The outlet currently views Coughlin as worthy of a mid-Day 3 selection.

Zierlein postulates such because he believes Coughlin “may be between positions due to a lack of size and suddenness.” Coughlin (6'4/245) posted 15.0 TFL and 9.5 sacks in 2018, and 9.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks in 2019. “Smallish edge defender who plays with high football IQ and motor to help create impact production,” Zierlein wrote. “Coughlin is a proactive rusher who mixes up his approach to access the edge, but he’ll need to develop his hands and play with leverage to beat NFL tackles.” Zierlein doesn’t give Coughlin a draftable grade.

This news won’t tangibly alter Coughlin’s draft stock, but it’s a nice sign of the commitment that the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder showed when he could have easily folded up shop to rest his tummy. Coughlin is trying to gain traction toward a late Day 3 selection in April’s draft.

Coughlin (6'4/245) will be among the most efficient pass-rushers in the conference in 2019, but the NFL probably prefers Coughlin to weigh in the 250s. Luckily, Coughlin has months to a dozen pounds or so. Before he heads into the pre-draft process, Coughlin will be attempting to break last year’s 9.5 sack and 15.0 TFL totals. That level of production in the Power 5 warrants heavy draft consideration, but he needs to avoid the “tweener” label.

New Gophers defensive coordinator Robb Smith’s base 4-3 system needed another defensive end, and Coughlin, one of the most highly-decorated recruits Minnesota has signed in the past decade, fit the bill. Coughlin had four TFL, two sacks and 25 total tackles in 11 games last year. Coughlin, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, will have to bulk up if he wants to remain a DE into his professional life.

The crown jewel of Minnesota’s recruiting class, ranked No. 273 in the ESPN 300 and the No. 1 prospect in the state, also suffered a concussion in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl earlier this month.Coughlin deserves some time off and will get it with a 3.5 month rehab timeline and a five-to-six month projection for full contact. Coughlin says he’ll be full strength for the start of camp in August. “Coughlin is a smart, disciplined defender with the ability to make plays in both the run and pass game,” reads ESPN’s scouting report. “Coughlin possesses alignment and scheme versatility within the front seven of the defense. Will align with his hand in the ground or make plays at the linebacker level. Shows solid effort to increase his range and ability to track down ball carrier from the inside out. Has good height with a muscular build.” The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder reportedly runs a nifty 4.53 forty.