Jalen Carter To The Bears Buzz Just Kicked Up A Notch
There is no more divisive figure in the 2023 NFL draft than Jalen Carter. The Georgia defensive tackle has a strong case for being the most talented player in the class. He’s big, strong, explosive, and utterly unblockable when his motor runs hot. Under normal circumstances, he’d be a lock for the top five picks. However, nothing is normal with him. Even before the off-season started, Carter was dogged by questions about his shoddy work ethic in practice as well as his unremarkable production. Then he was involved in a street racing incident that killed two people, to which he pleaded no contest after being arrested. Then he showed up to his pro day nine pounds overweight and in poor condition.
One can understand the rumors that some teams have taken Carter off their draft boards entirely. Even so, the defensive tackle remains defiant. He refuses to take interviews with teams picking outside the top 10, believing someone will take him in that range. Is he delusional? Not entirely. Draft insider Matt Miller of ESPN touched on the Carter situation in a new article. He spoke to several scouts and executives around the league, asking where the defensive tackle would land.
The answers he got were eye-opening.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter would not take visits with teams selecting outside the top 10. Scouts and executives around the league weren’t surprised. “More players should do this, honestly,” said one college scouting director. When asked to predict Carter’s landing spot, more than 10 scouts and execs polled believed he would be drafted at No. 5 (Seattle Seahawks) or No. 9 (Chicago Bears). And no one polled thought he would slip out of the top 10 picks.
The Bears have done tons of homework on Jalen Carter.
They met with him at Georgia’s pro day and had a private visit as well. GM Ryan Poles has not cut corners on his evaluation. He is doing everything he can to determine whether Carter is worth the risk, as he should. The Bears couldn’t ask for someone better when talking about pure scheme fit. Carter is the embodiment of the ideal three-technique defensive tackle. His ability to shoot gaps, get up the field, and create havoc is exactly what Matt Eberflus’ defense needs to reach the next level. He could be the next Warren Sapp or Tommie Harris.
It’s little wonder they’re digging deep. They understand the potential consequences of not drafting him. If he gets over his maturity issues and becomes the star many believe he can be, the Bears would struggle to live that one down. Perhaps Poles feels that taking Jalen Carter is worth the risk after moving down and securing all those extra assets in the #1 pick trade. He believes in Eberflus and this coaching staff. They’ve provided a good culture for young players to grow. Success can’t be found in the NFL without taking some calculated chances.