As the draft draws nearer, an important unanswered question remains regarding the future of Jalen Carter. The former Georgia defensive tackle is still receiving interest from teams set to pick within the top 10, but not every NFL franchise is looking to add him. 
The latest known visit for Carter will be with the Seahawks tomorrow, as noted (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That comes as little surprise, given the news that the highly-touted defender will not be meeting with teams which do not own top-10 selections. Seattle has pick No. 5, and could be well-positioned to add Carter to their new-look defensive line later this month.
The Seahawks made a re-tooling of their front seven a priority heading into this offseason, and it has resulted in moves such as the signing of Dre’Mont Jones, one of the top free agent defensive linemen, and a reunion with linebacker Bobby Wagner. Drafting Carter would add further to their upgrades along the defensive interior, provided he could replicate his high-level play with the Bulldogs upon transitioning to the NFL level. The 6-3, 310-pounder was named a consensus All-American in 2022 after another productive season with the national champions.
However, Carter’s stock has taken a hit for multiple reasons recently. He faced misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing, which resulted in a plea agreement being reached; he will not face jail time as a result. Carter also drew poor reviews after his pro day, particularly for the state of his conditioning. Especially given his decision to only focus on teams slated to pick at or near the top of the board, plenty of uncertainty surrounds where he will ultimately land on draft night.
On that point, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes that “at least a couple” NFL teams have taken Carter off their board altogether. He adds, though, that Carter should still be considered a first-round lock, and is unlikely to fall outside the top half of the Day 1 order. Much will depend, of course, on the evaluations teams make of him during his top 30 visits and their projections of his ability to perform at the level he demonstrated with the Bulldogs before his pre-draft issues arose.
Tomorrow’s Seattle visit will soon be followed by one with the Raiders. The Lions, Eagles and Bears are also among the teams which have show interest in Carter, so there could still be significant competition to land arguably the class’ most talented prospect later this month.
I don’t think he gets past Seattle or Detroit.
There’s enough talent available that he could slide a few more slots.
I really like Joel Klatts new mock.
had Carter going to Bears after Tyree Wilson on the rise to Seattle and Christian Gonzalez to Detroit
That could most definitely happen.
No mention of Dan Campbell’s recent statements on Carter?
“We talked to a teammate of his the other day and, man, he told us some things we didn’t know,” Campbell told reporters. “That nobody probably would’ve known. It was like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.'”
Good or bad stuff on Carter?
Smokescreen? Maybe he eats kneecaps and Campbell found that interesting?
I think the dude generally did good things in school, gave time to some charities, etc. He just kept in lousy shape and had the vehicle stuff. I hope he doesn’t fall to the Falcon’s pick because I don’t want to have to hear all of the inbreds yelling “go dawgs” and being mad when the Falcons don’t draft him or someone from UGA.
Being lousy shape in college when you’re young, hungry to get paid and have coaches driving you is one thing, but also makes these teams wonder what he’ll be like once he cashes some checks.
Carter isn’t a boom or bust player but he’s being described as one. There’s no question of his ability on the field. In football, the tape wins.
He is boom or bust if he eats or lazys his way out of the league.
60% of the teams can take him off their draft board all together cause he will never slide that far
The 60% figure was an interesting choice, but I believe it’s correct because there’s no chance the Jets would let him slide past #13. That’s just past the top 40% if you count the Dolphins who were docked their first round pick.
Also, if that were the case, the Packers would be begging for the pick swap from #15 to #13 to complete the Rodgers trade.
Part of a automobile death and a rotten pro day, and he is copping an attitude about not meeting anyone outside the top-10? Blowing off anyone that might want to think about trading into the top-10?
Someone needs to tell him to ditch the attitude at least until the draft.
Agreed, JoeBrady- a person lost their life, due to his reckless behavior. Doesn’t have to spend any time behind bars, and then wants to put himself even higher on the pedestal that he already resides on. Don’t know who he’s getting his advice from, but he may want to rethink things.
Drew Rosenbaum…nuff said