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Falcons to Pass on Georgia DT Jalen Carter in NFL Draft?

Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jalen Carter was at the center of the NFL Combine's biggest controversy. But is it enough to knock him outside of the top 10 picks in this year's NFL Draft?

With the NFL Combine in the rearview mirror, focus is beginning to shift more towards the draft.

The biggest story to emerge from the draft came from Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle and projected top pick Jalen Carter, who was issued an arrest warrant for his role in the death of a teammate and team staffer back in January.

The scandal surrounding Carter could affect his draft stock, and The Athletic is reporting that he could fall outside of the top 10.

The Atlanta Falcons, who are slated to select No. 8 overall, need a defensive tackle to pair next to Grady Jarrett. Carter, a two-time National Champion and possibly the best prospect in the draft, would be a perfect fit.

But has his stock taken that big of a hit?

While some teams may be hesitant to take Carter, it's hard to see him fall past the Falcons.

"For what it’s worth, I spoke to multiple people in Indianapolis close to teams in the top 10 who gave me the understanding that if a guy like Jalen Carter is available at 8 (barring any new developments of the situation at hand) that the #Falcons would definitely take him," FOX 5's Miles Garrett tweeted in response to The Athletic's article.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the fallout from these events did hurt Carter's stock, but some team in the top 10, based on the facts that we know now, will select him on April 27.


Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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