Seahawks Draft Scars Swaying Them Away from Jalen Carter, Says Insider
The Seattle Seahawks have consistently been projected as a potential landing spot for talented-yet-controversial Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter at the No. 5 pick leading up to the first round of Thursday's 2023 NFL Draft.
For a Seattle team expected to prioritize defense with at least one of its two first-round picks, Carter heading to the Seahawks seems to be a likely scenario based on how the top of the order could pan out. Despite his involvement in a deadly January crash that killed a Georgia teammate and staffer, he's still projected to be a first-round pick.
But even if Carter's available once the Seahawks have to turn their card in, top draft expert and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah doesn't expect Seattle to select him.
“He’s a great player, there’s no question about that and I’ve had a tough time pegging him (to a team),” Jeremiah said on a recent episode of NFL insider Peter Schrager's podcast. “There seems to be sentiment that teams I’ve talked to do not expect Seattle (to pick Carter)."
Jeremiah won't know exactly what the Seahawls have planned, as they're still likely trying to figure that out for themselves. But he's one of the more trusted voices in NFL media, and cited some Seattle history to back up this claim about Carter.
“I thought Seattle would be in play with Jalen Carter," Jeremiah said. "The stuff I’ve got back was the Malik McDowell experience in Seattle could have soured them on taking a chance here. So, we’ll see.”
Seattle selected Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell with the 35th overall pick in 2017. He had some solid expectations placed on his shoulders after being picked at the top of the second round.
But McDowell was released by the Seahawks in March 2019, less than two years after being drafted. A few weeks before his first training camp, he suffered injuries from an ATV accident. Then about a month later in September with the regular season already underway, McDowell was arrested for DUI. Later that December, he was arrested once again, this time for disorderly conduct.
It doesn't stop there.
McDowell's legal troubles continued. He was charged with resisting arrest and operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Feb. 2019. The Seahawks released him for good on March 2 of that year. Incredibly, he was arrested yet again about a month later for having a stolen car in his possession.
Despite releasing McDowell, the Seahawks were still having to deal with the consequences of his actions. The team filed a lawsuit against him in May 2019 since he wouldn't repay the estimated $800K he earned as a signing bonus. McDowell was then sentenced to 11 months in prison in Nov. 2019 due to multiple criminal charges and last played for the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 season.
For good measure, McDowell was arrested for a fourth time in Jan. 2022 in Florida for public intoxication, indecent exposure and public intoxication.
This was some unprecedented stuff that the Seahawks had to deal with. And though it's almost impossible for Carter (or anyone) to match this level of legal trouble upon entering the league, Seattle might've already learned its lesson and doesn't want to squander this rare draft opportunity by taking a risk with him.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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