Lions undrafted free agents: Alex Carder scouting report

Our scouting report series continues with the Detroit Lions' 2013 undrafted free agents. First up is Alex Carder.

QB Alex Carder (Western Michigan) - UDFA

Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew admitted that he gave some thought to taking a quarterback in one of the final rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft. That didn't end up happening, though, so the Lions decided to add another arm to the mix by signing Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder as an undrafted free agent.

Random fact

Carder only played in six games (the first four and the final two) during his redshirt senior season at Western Michigan because of a hand injury.

What the experts are saying

NFL.com:

Carder took over the Broncos spread attack from Tim Hiller in 2010 and never looked back. He lacks the size and pure arm strength to be an elite NFL quarterback prospect, but has enough of both, as well as the intangibles and intelligence to efficiently run a movement-style offense.

Stats

2009: 5-7 (71.4%), 27 yards, 8 carries, 16 yards

2010: 289-458 (63.1%), 3,334 yards, 30 TD, 12 INT, 109 carries, 226 yards, 6 TD

2011: 330-502 (65.7%), 3,873 yards, 31 TD, 14 INT, 128 carries, 270 yards, 4 TD

2012: 145-248 (58.5%), 1,652 yards, 13 TD, 10 INT, 40 carries, 88 yards

Videos

More:

• Various Carder highlights from 2011 season
• Carder at 2012 TDC Awards

Outlook for 2013

Carder will compete with Kellen Moore for the third spot on the depth chart at quarterback. Moore has to be considered the favorite given that he spent last season on the 53-man roster, but don't completely rule out Carder. If Moore struggles and Carder shines during training camp and the preseason, it's possible the Lions could decide to keep the former Western Michigan Bronco rather than the former Boise State Bronco.

Previous scouting reports:

Draft picks: DE Ezekiel Ansah, CB Darius Slay, OG Larry Warford, DE Devin Taylor, P Sam Martin, WR Corey Fuller, RB Theo Riddick, TE Michael Williams