One of the great mysteries of the upcoming 2023 NFL draft is the fate of Georgia DT Jalen Carter. It’s difficult to pinpoint where exactly the incredibly talented Carter will come off the board after a troubling offseason.
Carter is generally rated as one of the top five prospects in the draft, if not No. 1 overall. Yet a rocky series of events that included an arrest for street racing and showing up for his pro day overweight and out of shape has made the perception of Carter sour.
He could still very well be one of the first five picks, but there is a decent chance he slides as well. Based on what Matt Miller of ESPN reports, Carter won’t last past the No. 9 overall pick, which belongs to the Chicago Bears.
Here’s what Miller wrote at ESPN about the Bears and Carter,
The best intel I have on the Bears? I’ve heard defensive tackle Jalen Carter (Georgia) won’t fall past their pick at No. 9. They are said to value him highly.
The fit between Carter and the Bears certainly makes sense from a football standpoint. The Bears need impact talent on both sides of the ball, and Carter has the potential to be a very impactful defensive presence right away.