No team in the NFL would have more trouble explaining its logic of taking a chance on Jalen Carter than the Raiders.
The Georgia prospect is widely considered one of the draft’s top defensive linemen. However, recently he pleaded no contest to charges of racing and reckless driving in an accident that killed a former Bulldogs teammate and a staffer.
Driving the other car was Georgia recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy with Carter’s teammate Devin Willock in the passenger seat. LeCroy and Willock died in the crash, and two other passengers were injured.
Police had found that Carter was racing that vehicle.
When Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels was asked this week about his stance on Carter, and he only gave a generic answer about doing their due diligence, The Athletic is reporting that the Raiders have effectively taken Carter off their draft board. Las Vegas holds the No. 7 overall selection.
This is a wise decision for the Raiders as a franchise more so than probably any other club.
The speeding incident in which former Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III, allegedly intoxicated, killed a young woman and her dog in a fiery crash in 2021 is still very fresh in everyone’s minds. And to even consider drafting Carter would be seen as at very least insensitive and draw heavy criticism.
Therefore, staying well away from Carter is a wise decision.
