Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is declining visits with franchises selecting outside the top 10 in this month’s 2023 NFL Draft as his agent believes he will be one of the first names off the board.
On Monday, Carter reportedly met with the Chicago Bears - who have the ninth pick after they completed a blockbuster trade with the quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers to move down from the first overall selection. It was the prospect’s second visit after he visited the Philadelphia Eagles, who sit 10th.
Carter - considered by many to be the best player in the class - has been invited to the NFL Draft, which is set to be held in Kansas City this year and he plans to attend. However, multiple NFL teams have reportedly taken Carter off their draft board entirely.
Before the combine, the former Georgia defensive star was widely viewed as a surefire stud to go early, perhaps even first overall. However Carter recently pleaded no contest to misdemeanour charges of reckless driving and racing last month in connection with a fatal crash in January, and he was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service while he will attend a state-approved defensive driving course.
Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the budding superstar will still be selected early despite the concerns surrounding him. Speaking to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rosenhaus said: “I'm confident Jalen will go in the top 10. He's a good person, a family man, loves football and is a generational talent."
In a statement to ESPN, Carter’s attorney Kim Stephens insisted Carter did not cause a car wreck on 15 January in which Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed. According to Stephens, Carter was not under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances.
On the field, there may be concerns too. At Georgia’s pro day last month, Carter weighed nine pounds heavier than he was at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis while he struggled to complete his position drills. He also didn't participate in other workouts, including the 40-yard dash, cone drills and other physical tests.
Carter was a unanimous All-American in 2022. He earned All-SEC first-team honours and was named a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman.
However, former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy - the third overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft - is not a fan of Carter’s visit strategy. The six-time Pro Bowler took to Twitter to say: “Whether he is expected to be top 10 or not, his recent circumstance and his workouts, this not smart.
“Also you never know who may want to trade up. Don't assume with the draft. We've seen some crazy things happen.”
