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5 NFL teams that should take the risk on Jalen Carter in the 2023 NFL Draft

By Brendan Danaher

Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter #88 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter #88 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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University of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is one of the most polarizing players available in the 2023 NFL Draft. Carter has been considered to be the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. The 6’3 300-pound tackle finished his final college season with 13 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes defended, and 7 tackles for loss.

Unfortunately lately Carter has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis Carter was supposed to speak to the media as scheduled. However, news broke that there was an active arrest warrant for Carter for misdemeanor motor vehicle charges in relation to a collision that took the life of a fellow Georgia Bulldog.

Carter again made the news during his Pro Day where he was unable to finish positional drills due to cramping. Besides failing to finish the workouts in front of a large group of NFL coaches and scouts, Carter weighed in nine pounds heavier than expected. Carter did not participate in any on-field workouts and simply took measurements and participated in team interviews.

Despite the latest drama involving Carter, the tape doesn’t lie and Carter is an extremely dominant player that could help any NFL team. If Carter can address the aforementioned issues he could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in 2023.

Here are five teams that should take the risk of drafting Carter and select the Georgia phenom when their number is called on draft night next month.

Jalen Carter
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Team no. 5 for Jalen Carter: Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have been so far removed from the days of the “Legion of Boom” many current NFL fans never had the pleasure of actually watching the feared defensive unit. However, as long as Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seahawks there is still a chance for a rebirth.

Adding Jalen Carter to the Seattle defense, which was ranked 26th overall in 2022, would bring some much-needed presence to the defensive line. Despite their low ranking, the Seahawks were in the top 8 teams in terms of sacks, with 45 total. While the Seahawks were able to generate pressure on the quarterback they were ranked in the bottom three teams in run defense.

Carter would be an instant impact player for the Seahawks and would join a defensive line that has been without a player of his caliber in the last five years. The Seahawks have the 5th pick overall and if they don’t elect to take a swing at a rookie quarterback it would be worthwhile to take chance on Carter.

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