Bears Fans Buzz with Excitement as Rumors of Defensive Addition Heat Up
In the 2023 NFL draft, few prospects are as polarizing as Jalen Carter. The Georgia defensive tackle boasts an impressive skill set, making him a top contender in his class. With his size, strength, explosiveness, and near-unstoppable ability, Carter would typically be a surefire top-five pick. However, his situation is far from ordinary. Before the off-season began, concerns about his work ethic and inconsistent performance surfaced. Then, he was arrested after a street racing incident led to two fatalities, pleading no contest. Further complicating matters, Carter arrived at his pro day nine pounds overweight and out of shape.
These factors have led to rumors that some teams have removed Carter from their draft boards. Yet, the defensive tackle remains resolute, declining interviews with teams picking outside the top 10, confident that he will be selected within that range. His conviction may not be entirely misplaced, as ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller delved into the topic in a recent article. Miller gathered insights from several scouts and executives across the league about where Carter might end up.
The responses were revealing. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jalen Carter refused to meet with teams picking outside the top 10, which did not surprise those in the industry. "More players should do this, honestly," one college scouting director commented. When asked to predict Carter's landing spot, over 10 scouts and execs believed he would be drafted at No. 5 (Seattle Seahawks) or No. 9 (Chicago Bears), with no one thinking he would fall out of the top 10 picks. Both teams conducted thorough evaluations of Carter, including a private visit.
Chicago Bears' GM Ryan Poles has left no stone unturned in assessing whether Carter is worth the gamble. The Bears would greatly benefit from his presence, as Carter's gap-shooting, field-penetrating, and havoc-wreaking abilities perfectly align with Matt Eberflus' defensive strategy. He has the potential to become the next Warren Sapp or Tommie Harris.
The Bears are well aware of the repercussions of passing on Carter. If he overcomes his maturity issues and realizes his full potential, they may regret not drafting him. With the extra assets acquired in the #1 pick trade, Poles might consider taking a calculated risk on Jalen Carter, trusting Eberflus and the coaching staff to foster an environment conducive to the growth of young players. After all, success in the NFL often requires taking a few calculated risks.
as seen at: Jalen Carter To The Bears Buzz Just Kicked Up A Notch
| POLL | ||
7 AVRIL | 157 ANSWERS Bears Fans Buzz with Excitement as Rumors of Defensive Addition Heat Up Should the Bears select Carter if he falls to the 9th pick? | ||
| Yes | 105 | 66.9 % |
| No | 52 | 33.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
