Did Cardinals Drop Jalen Carter From Their NFL Draft Board?

The Arizona Cardinals enter the month of the 2023 NFL Draft with a few decisions to make.

Outside of acquiring top collegiate talent, the Cardinals are heavily expected to trade WR DeAndre Hopkins at some point, which could indeed come during the draft itself if not prior.

Arizona holds the No. 3 pick and are heavily expected to trade down - so much to the point that sources have told All Cardinals that the team has already made it's mind up on moving out of the third slot.

That of course would mean the option of picking Will Anderson is likely out of the window unless they move back one spot with the Indianapolis Colts. Anything further than the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5 and he's very likely off the board.

Another player in Jalen Carter was heavily linked to the Cardinals, as Carter presents himself as a game-destroying interior defensive lineman who also can get after the passer.

Carter was once a candidate for the Cardinals to select him in the top three, but a myriad of off-field issues have seemingly pushed Carter down - if not completely off - their draft boards.

When speaking with reporters at the NFL annual meeting earlier this week, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered an interesting soundbite on Carter:

Dan Campbell on Jalen Carter:

"We talked to a teammate of his the other day and, man, he told us some things we didn't know. That nobody probably would've known. It was like, 'Oh, that's interesting.'"

Asked if it was good or bad:

"It's interesting."
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) March 28, 2023

The Lions have the No. 6 pick this year. The Las Vegas Raiders - picking in the spot behind them - have reportedly dropped Carter completely off the board. They're reportedly not the only team.

Update: Multiple NFL teams have taken Jalen Carter off their draft board for the 2023 Draft, according to @RandyMueller_ (via @Softykjr)
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 30, 2023

Are the Cardinals one of those teams?

If Arizona trades far enough back, Carter could potentially be an option, especially if their liking of top corners isn't there. The absence of Tyree Wilson could also push Carter close to landing with the Cardinals.

From his reported off-field concerns heading into the NFL Combine to the warrants out for his arrest and alleged lying in the involvement of a fatal car crash to his uninspiring pro day performance, Carter's stock has taken an undeniable hit.