Seahawks Draft: Georgia DL Jalen Carter Only Visiting Teams With Top-10 Pick
One of the most compelling story lines for the 2023 NFL Draft has been the future of Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman, Jalen Carter.
And now, that future just got a little bit more interesting, with Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, telling ESPN that the defensive lineman would only take visits with teams that are picking inside the top 10.
If Carter is available at No. 5, the Seattle Seahawks could have to decide if the numerous red flags are worth it to add one of the most physically-talented players in this draft class. He's reportedly taken visits to the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, who pick at No. 10 and No. 9, 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 teammate and staff member dead.
Carter entered no contest plea to the charges on March 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 this new-look Seahawks 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.
Seattle has already made several moves to shore up the defensive front, including bringing veteran All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner back home. However, the Seahawks must continue to improve a defense that ranked 26th overall and third-worst on run defense in 2022.
With Carter, the risk is there. ... As is the potential reward.
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