Jalen Carter went through a rollercoaster this year. Despite being a solid athlete, a fatal incident made his fate hanging in the balance. The Bulldogs DT was circling legal matters for his involvement in a motor accident that took the life of two. Nevertheless, he made it to the 2023 Combine to showcase his potential. His draft number was under scrutiny but it looks like Carter finally has some positive news.
To provide context, Jalen Carter’s teammate Devin Willock and a recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy tragically passed away in a vehicular accident on January 15th. The tragedy occurred following Georgia’s parade commemorating their national championship victory. Authorities made an arrest warrant in Carter’s name for reckless driving since he was racing with Willock’s Ford Expedition SUV.
Carter is not tumbling after all?
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Despite the off-field issues, a former NFL GM is not ruling the Georgia Bulldogs DT out. Randy Mueller kept him as the number-one pick in his top-five mock draft selection. The 2000 NFL Exec of the Year regarded Carter as “a man amongst boys on the football field and in this draft class,” per First Round Mock.
As a former NFL Scout he’s my No. 1 player in the 2023 NFL Draft https://t.co/Hr8CMDpaoN
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) March 31, 2023
In the remaining four spots, Randy Mueller kept QBs C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, LB Nolan Smith, and DT Calijah Kancey, respectively. Several speculated that the legal troubles could tumble his draft position. But this could be a sigh of relief for the Georgia fans and Carter himself.
Additionally, DT Carter took care of the arrest warrant in his name in a tactful manner. He surrendered himself to the Athens-Clarke County Jail just before the Combine but got released just minutes after.
With some positive light, several teams could make a run. But one franchise may not make a run for the Bulldogs DT.
The Black and Silver are not heading for Jalen Carter?
The Las Vegas Raiders would seek to spearhead a top-tier prospect with their seventh pick in this year’s draft. They could address one of their deficits with it. But as per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Jalen Carter was “crossed off by the team” and would not go for him for the seventh pick.
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Mark Davis learning patience and other Raiders takeaways from NFL owners’ meetings
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/e7enxreTIw
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 30, 2023
But Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels told him that the squad was still investigating Carter and is not ruling out on choosing him. In addition, they intend to meet him in person in April.
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Will Jalen Carter become the overall first pick? Or will he tumble down the list? It is subject to witness.
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