Cowboys Draft Georgia's Jalen Carter in 1st Round? How Far Will Troubled DT Slide?

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was once considered a lock to be a top-five draft pick. What will the Cowboys do if he keeps sliding?

FRISCO - Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has legal issues, behavioral issues, maturity issues and now fitness issues, all of those among the reasons the college star - once thought to be a top-five lock in the April NFL Draft - is now sliding down teams' boards ...

And in the case of the Las Vegas Raiders (picking at No. 7), reportedly sliding all the way off their board.

What if he slides all the way to No. 26, where the Dallas Cowboys are perched?

Cowboys management has made no secret about its thoughts of using premium picks at running back, tight end and maybe guard. At the same time, Dallas' successful offseason of talent-gathering means the team is free to "draft a player, not a position.''

And in terms of talent? If Carter still sits there at No. 26? "Best Player Available'' applies.

Carter's legal issues are the result in part of a January incident when a car-racing incident resulted in the death of Georgia staffer Chandler LeCroy and Carter teammate Devin Willock. Carter was charged with two misdemeanors and was sentenced to one year of probation, a $1,000 fine, and 80 hours of community service.

Carter's recent Pro Day was poor. He did not participate in some skills tests and looked winded and out of shape throughout while weighing 323 pounds, 13 pounds above his playing weight.

Update: Georgia DL Jalen Carter couldn’t finish his position drills due to breathing heavily and cramping up, according to @Mark_Schlabach

Reports say he showed up 9 pounds heavier at his Pro Day than he was at the combine. He declined to run a 40.pic.twitter.com/v7bQ61XIem

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 15, 2023

And suddenly? The Raiders are now saying he's not been removed from their board. But ... Maybe he still goes high, by "staying home'' with the Falcons at No. 8. Or ... ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum has him slip down to Detroit at No. 18, reinforcing the notion that at some point, baggage aside, Carter will be drafted.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart suggests that some of the issues are psychological, as a result of the fatal crash.

“I can only imagine knowing what he’s dealing with internally, as a survivor from a tragic accident, knowing the outcome of that accident,'' Smart said. "There’s some mental health things there that you have to be able to help with. I can’t speak to what he’s going through. He’s got to answer those questions.''

QB Stetson Bennett, meanwhile, is defending Carter, calling him “special” and “a rock.” 

These three plays in a row vs. TCU lastnight provide a snapshot of the positives with Jalen Carter as a prospect: pic.twitter.com/W7eTjk7WY5

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 10, 2023

Where the Cowboys stand in general on players with issues like this? We used to call it "Second-Chance Valley Ranch,'' and while the team has moved its headquarters, the philosophy remains in place. Owner Jerry Jones and company frequently use the second round for "risks'' while trying to take a "sure thing'' in the first round.

So there is a threshold of tolerance for Dallas, and with Carter now off the board for at least one NFL team (and maybe more), there is the possibility that a top-five talent is still available to a team that has faith in its ability to supervise a turnaround.

And that confidence is something we do know the Cowboys possess.

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