2023 mock NFL Draft 3.0: Final 11th-hour edition (with trades)
814. . Defensive Tackle. Bulldogs . Jalen Carter. 5. player
On the clock: Pick No. 5: Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Mock Draft 1.0 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Mock Draft 2.0 – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is a prospect that sorts people into two camps. One camp sees his exceptional talent and ability to be an anchor in the middle of any defensive line for a decade or more, while the other sees the multitudes of red flags and has him scrubbed clean of any draft boards.
What is probable is the problems that Carter faced won’t end up affecting his draft stock. Carter faced potentially losing his NFL career before it started for charges stemming from a drag racing incident that killed two people, but a police investigation cleared him of the most serious charges and he instead pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors of reckless driving and racing.
Nonetheless, the bad judgment from Carter, showing up to his Pro Day so overweight that he couldn’t finish the workout and previous concerns over his work ethic and overall production have some worrying that he could be a potential bust waiting to happen.
Former University of Georgia player Jalen Carter pleaded no contest to charges stemming from a January crash that killed a teammate and team staffer. Carter, projected to be a top pick in the NFL Draft, was sentenced to a year of probation and 80 hours of community service. pic.twitter.com/mR9ilEMwJR
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 16, 2023
An excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, his physical talents are pretty apparent. An incredibly powerful player who can tie up double team blocks and move past single blockers with ease, Carter recorded 32 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defended.
Carter will need to grow up a lot as he enters the league, but he enters the NFL in a good spot in this mock. The Seattle Seahawks are a very common landing spot for Carter and head coach Pete Carroll is well-known as a no-nonsense guy in the league. It’s going to be a risk, but well worth the reward.