A 2nd-round pick (38th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, John Carlson has built an NFL career since. His most recent season came in 2014 with ARI, capping a 7-season NFL career. His 33.4 ScoutIndex Rating last season was below the TE average, in the 11th percentile. Across 6 NFL seasons, he has totaled 210 catches for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Size
6'5", 248#
College
Notre Dame
Draft
Rd 2, 38th overall (2008)
Seasons
2008–2014
2008 ScoutIndex Rating · TE
Methodology91th percentile among TEs · limited sample
15 games · 0 targets
2008 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed18▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst25▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.
Agility53▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).
Size43▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands50▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat52▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability38▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share50▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share37▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency50▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume47▶
Total targets this season.
Career (regular season)
Career profile
John Carlson has appeared in 83 regular-season games across 6 NFL seasons on file, playing for 3 teams: SEA (2008–2010), MIN (2012–2013), ARI (2014).
As a receiver he has caught 210 passes for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2008 with SEA: 627 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 games.
By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2009: a 65.6, in the 86th percentile among TEs that year.
Career highs (regular season)
- Most receiving yards in a game105 on 6 catches vs DAL, 2008 Week 13
2008 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 8 | 29 3.6/g | 302 38/g | 4 |
| Away | 7 | 26 3.7/g | 325 46/g | 1 |
| In division | 6 | 19 3.2/g | 258 43/g | 0 |
| Out of division | 9 | 36 4.0/g | 369 41/g | 5 |
| In wins | 4 | 10 2.5/g | 139 35/g | 1 |
| In losses | 11 | 45 4.1/g | 488 44/g | 4 |
| On grass | 4 | 11 2.8/g | 92 23/g | 1 |
| On turf | 11 | 44 4.0/g | 535 49/g | 4 |
| Indoors | 2 | 7 3.5/g | 90 45/g | 0 |
| Outdoors | 13 | 48 3.7/g | 537 41/g | 5 |
2008 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | BUF | 4 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD | 61 |
| Week 2 | SF | 6 rec, 78 yds, 0 TD | 90.5 |
| Week 3 | LAR | 2 rec, 38 yds, 0 TD | 52.8 |
| Week 6 | GB | 4 rec, 22 yds, 1 TD | 64.7 |
| Week 7 | TB | 3 rec, 11 yds, 1 TD | 60.1 |
| Week 8 | SF | 1 rec, 13 yds, 0 TD | 49.3 |
| Week 9 | PHI | 2 rec, 30 yds, 0 TD | 44.8 |
| Week 10 | MIA | 5 rec, 54 yds, 0 TD | 48.4 |
| Week 11 | ARI | 3 rec, 39 yds, 0 TD | 57.9 |
| Week 12 | WAS | 2 rec, 14 yds, 1 TD | 53.1 |
| Week 13 | DAL | 6 rec, 105 yds, 0 TD | 81.9 |
| Week 14 | NE | 8 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD | 89 |
| Week 15 | LAR | 5 rec, 76 yds, 0 TD | 87.8 |
| Week 16 | NYJ | 2 rec, 12 yds, 1 TD | 46.7 |
| Week 17 | ARI | 2 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD | 53.4 |
John Carlson — common questions
- What position does John Carlson play?
- John Carlson is listed as a TE.
- Which teams has John Carlson played for?
- In the seasons on file (1999 onward), John Carlson has played for SEA (2008–2010), MIN (2012–2013), ARI (2014).
- Where did John Carlson go to college?
- John Carlson played college football at Notre Dame.
- When was John Carlson drafted?
- John Carlson was selected in round 2, 38th overall, of the 2008 NFL Draft.
- How many touchdowns has John Carlson scored?
- John Carlson has 15 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (15 receiving).
- What is John Carlson's ScoutIndex Rating?
- John Carlson rated 33.4 for 2014, the 11th percentile among TEs. Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.
Related players
Top teammates, last season on file
- Drew StantonQB · 2014
- Carson PalmerQB · 2014
- Andre EllingtonRB · 2014
- Michael FloydWR · 2014
- Larry FitzgeraldWR · 2014
- John BrownWR · 2014
- Ryan LindleyQB · 2014
- Stepfan TaylorRB · 2014
Drafted in round 2, 2008
- Phillip MerlingDE · pick 32
- Donnie AveryWR · pick 33
- Devin ThomasWR · pick 34
- Brandon FlowersCB · pick 35
- Jordy NelsonWR · pick 36
- Curtis LoftonMLB · pick 37
- Chilo RachalG · pick 39
- Tracy PorterCB · pick 40
Also from Notre Dame
- Jeremiyah LoveRB · 2026–2026
- Jadarian PriceRB · 2026–2026
- Gabe RubioDE · 2026–2026
- Billy SchrauthG · 2026–2026
- Eli RaridonTE · 2026–2026
- Mitchell EvansTE · 2025–2026
- Rylie MillsDT · 2025–2026
- Jack KiserLB · 2025–2026