Falcons GM Terry Fontenot's Character Comments; Jalen Carter Draft Possibility?
The Atlanta Falcons have several avenues available at the No. 8 overall pick - including one that only recently became a realistic possibility.
Throughout much of the 2023 NFL Draft process, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was viewed as a consensus top-three prospect, if not the draft's best overall player.
But after news broke of his involvement in a fatal crash involving teammate Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy, Carter was subsequently charged with misdemeanors for racing and reckless driving and saw his draft status go into limbo.
At his pro day, Carter came in nine pounds heavier than he did at the NFL Combine and reportedly struggled completing all of the drills, only adding to potential questions.
But how does Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot feel?
While not directly addressing Carter, Fontenot told AtlantaFalcons.com how he evaluates such concerns and the thorough process behind reaching a conclusion.
"I think it comes down to none of us are perfect," Fontenot said. "We're all flawed human beings, but do we love football? Are we passionate about what we do? And off the field, whether we've made mistakes - are we self-aware and are we constantly trying to improve?"
Speaking at the NFL Combine, Georgia outside linebacker Nolan Smith defended Carter's character, dubbing him "misunderstood" while adding that he "loves football and loved being out there" for the Bulldogs.
Carter, who turns 22 Tuesday, collected 18 and a half tackles for loss and six sacks across three seasons with the Bulldogs, consistently wreaking havoc in the backfield while playing on a star-defended defensive line.
This past year, Carter was named a first-team All-American by several outlets after logging seven tackles for loss and three sacks in 13 games.
But with the draft just over three weeks away, the attention on Carter isn't around his on-field talents - it's how he's wired off the field.
And for Fontenot, a crucial part of the pre-draft process is understanding that different backgrounds equal different personalities and approaches upon entering the league.
"It's all relative - people come from completely different places," said Fontenot. "I can't expect someone to be like me because they might not have grown up like me. So, it really takes time to get to understand people, but you want to know where they are.
"Are they truly passionate about becoming a better human being, becoming a better football player and bringing it to their team and being good teammates?"
By all accounts, those who played alongside Carter feel he checks these boxes - but Fontenot has to dig deeper.
There's perhaps nothing Atlanta's third year general manager values more than culture; it's something he and coach Arthur Smith have worked towards since arriving in Jan. 2021 and feel has been firmly established.
Key free agent additions such as safety Jessie Bates III and Calais Campbell have touched on the collective attitude from the Falcons' staff, and the locker room has been described as a family atmosphere.
Carter, for as tremendously talented as he is, has to be a fit off the field - and Fontenot doesn't plan on jeopardizing it, thanks in part to a thorough evaluation process.
"We believe we have a strong culture and a really good locker room and we want to make sure we add to that in the right way," Fontenot said. "It's not these specific things, but it's really getting to know that person and knowing who they are, if they're truly passionate about what they do, they want to be the best football player they can be.
"They want to be the best person they can be, regardless of where they are in their life, they're moving in the right direction."
And with that, Fontenot appears most focused on the potential each individual has to grow, rather than emphasizing past mistakes.
This seemingly plays into Carter's hands as it relates to staying in the state of Georgia to play professionally - but there's still plenty to unpack in the coming weeks and it's far from a certainty he makes it to No. 8 overall.
However, should he fall, it's more than possible Atlanta takes a chance ... because as Fontenot said, "none of us are perfect."
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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