The Intriguing New Development in Jalen Carter's Story
Jalen Carter, Georgia's elite defensive tackle and a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, finds himself in a precarious draft situation. Analysts and fans are left wondering how far he might slip in the first round on Thursday night.
Carter's recent plea agreement with Athens-Clarke County, due to his involvement in a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Georgia football player Devin Willock and team staffer Chandler LeCroy, has added to the uncertainty. Additionally, Carter failed to complete his pro day workout and appeared 9 pounds heavier than at the NFL scouting combine.
These incidents might negatively impact his draft position, especially given the current draft setup. Quarterbacks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis are expected to be picked early due to high demand for their positions. Other top defensive talents, such as Will Anderson Jr., Christian Gonzalez, and Devon Witherspoon, are also likely to be selected early in the draft.
Drew Rosenhaus, Carter's agent, recently stopped scheduling visits for Carter with teams drafting outside the top 10. This implies that Rosenhaus believes Carter will be picked within the top 10 selections, a notion that corresponds with the general consensus about his draft stock. However, Benjamin Allbright, an NFL insider with strong league connections, has a different take.
Allbright shared information from his sources, including a noteworthy detail about Carter:
This statement implies that the Seahawks' interest in Carter could be a strategic smokescreen to conceal their true intentions. If accurate, this revelation could have significant consequences, particularly for the Chicago Bears. If Carter remains available after the Seahawks' pick, Detroit at #6 would be the next likely landing spot. However, many experts predict that the Lions will either choose a top cornerback or trade down for a quarterback.
As for the Raiders at #7, they are expected to pick either a quarterback or a cornerback, with the defensive line not being their primary concern. This leaves Atlanta at #8, and Allbright noted they have been researching cornerbacks extensively. So, the #6, #7, and #8 picks could all be cornerbacks or quarterbacks.
In this scenario, Jalen Carter would still be available when Ryan Poles, the Bears' GM, makes his selection. Multiple insiders, both national and local, suggest that Poles is prepared to draft Carter despite the off-field concerns, recognizing his blue-chip talent.
As seen at: The Jalen Carter Saga Just Took Another Fascinating Twist
| POLL | ||
22 AVRIL | 968 ANSWERS The Intriguing New Development in Jalen Carter's Story Do you expect Jalen Carter to still be on the board when the Bears are on the clock? | ||
| Yes | 407 | 42 % |
| No | 561 | 58 % |
| List of polls | ||
