NFL Draft: Georgia DT Jalen Carter Narrowing Visit List - Falcons Included?
Arguably one of the most compelling storylines for the 2023 NFL Draft is, which team will select Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter?
The answer to that question appears to have been shortlisted, as Carter is only working out for teams that have picks within the top 10, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
“I’m confident Jalen will go in the top 10,” Carter's agent Drew Rosenhaus said via Adam Schefter. “He’s a good person, a family man, loves football and is a generational talent.”
If Carter is available at No. 8... Atlanta must decide if the numerous red flags are worth adding one of the most physically talented players in this draft class. He's also reportedly taken visits to the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, who pick at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.
While Rosenhaus has declined private workout requests from teams picking outside the top 10, he would schedule a pre-draft visit for Carter to a team that trades into the top 10 prior to the draft, according to Rapoport.
The character concerns about Carter are due in part to a car-racing incident in which a crash that left a Georgia Bulldogs teammate and a Georgia staff member dead.
Carter entered no contest plea to the charges on Mar. 16. According to attorney Kim T. Stephens, Carter was sentenced to serve 12 months of probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service and complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
Carter was a consensus top-five pick earlier this offseason and he could become a valuable contributor to Atlanta's defense. Carter was a key part of Georgia’s stout defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (77) in 2022. In the Bulldogs’ back-to-back championship run, Carter finished with 69 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. He has the sixth-best odds to be drafted No. 1 overall.
Atlanta has nine selections in the 2023 NFL Draft and the rebuilding Falcons have needs to fill all over their roster, including adding help at wide receiver, cornerback, EDGE rusher and linebacker.
Atlanta finished the 2022 season in last place in the NFC South with a 7-10 record. The Falcons looks to have a successful draft to compete in an NFC South division that is wide open this season.
With Carter, the risk is there ... as is the potential reward.
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