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

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

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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NFL Free Agency: (L-R) Owner Michael Bidwill, new head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals pose for a photo during a press conference at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on February 16, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Team no. 2 for Jalen Carter: Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals need Jalen Carter more than Jalen Carter needs the Cardinals. The Cardinals are on the cusp of going full rebuild after losing JJ Watt to retirement, their quarterback Kyler Murray is going to miss half the season, and they are actively shopping star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Cardinals are going into the season with a new general manager and a new head coach with former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Gannon comes from Philadelphia where he coached an elite Eagles defense that generated a league high in sacks with 70. The Cardinals have made some moves for their defensive line signing former first-round pick LJ Collier and Jonathan Ledbetter. There are still glaring holes at defensive end and the interior still has room for improvement.

Carter would be a critical piece in this puzzle in Arizona. Carter would bring his pass-rushing skills and run-stopping ability to affect all aspects of the defensive unit. The Cardinals’ defense ranked 31st overall, just missing last in the entire league. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort cannot accept failure in this draft and needs to strike gold with all of his selections. Carter is definitely a wild card in this draft but that can be said of most picks. The Cardinals could trade down a pick or two as they sit at #3 overall and still land Carter. This is a risk they need to take to hope to stay alive in the NFC West.

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