A guide to why Jalen Carter — potentially the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft — could drop

Jalen Carter — the defensive lineman from Georgia — was considered by many to be one of the top names available at the 2023 NFL Draft.

And he still may be. As we’re getting ready for Thursday’s Day 1, Carter is mock drafted by many — including our Christian D’Andrea — to go outside the top three. Now, that could be because quarterback-starved teams will want to take their shots at grabbing names like Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Anthony Richardson from Florida.

But there are concerns about Carter that we’re detailing here.

First, he had a really rough Pro Day, with reports saying he didn’t participate in certain drills and videos showing him struggling.

There are also the off-the-field allegations that came out in March connecting him to a crash involving in which former teammate died. Police in Athens issued a warrant for Carter’s arrest for Reckless Driving and Racing.

Carter turned himself in and released a statement saying he would be exonerated:

#Georgia Jalen Carter makes a statement on social media. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/D46wSXeczB

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 1, 2023

Eventually he pleaded no contest to the charges. More from USA TODAY Sports:

NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter has reached a plea agreement with Georgia prosecutors to resolve the charges filed against him in connection with a fatal car crash earlier this year.

Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General Will Fleenor and Carter’s attorney, Kim Stephens, said Thursday that Carter pleaded no contest to charges of racing and reckless driving, which are both misdemeanors, in connection with the crash that killed Georgia teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15.

Carter’s sentence will include 12 months of probation, 50 hours of community service, a $1,000 fine and participation in a defensive driving course. He will not serve jail time.

Could that mean he’ll drop in the 2023 NFL Draft? We’ll find out soon enough.