It has been a while since the NFL draft saw a prospect like Jalen Carter. The two-time CFP champion for the Georgia Bulldogs was among the top-rated players coming into the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a formidable player in the defensive tackle position. But things went downhill for the 21-year-old prospect. After being involved in a fatal car crash that took the lives of two of his team members, it raised a lot of eyebrows in the NFL world. They have sentenced Carter to 12 months probation, along with a $1000 fine for his involvement in the fatal accident. While the draft is still a few weeks ahead, this involvement may result in a major hit for Carter’s draft value as a top 3 pick.

Former GM Michael Lombardi opens up about how Carter’s ongoing legal issues might be a cause of concern for teams wishing to draft him for the 2023 season.

Lombardi warns about concerns and questions after the Jalen Carter incident

During an interview with TMZ Sports, Michael Lombardi talked about how we would have had concerns about drafting the young prospect if he was still a manager. He talked about how the tragic incident has caused a shift in the paradigm for the player. Jalen Carter was a top pick coming into this year’s NFL draft. But the former GM now feels the ongoing legal battles he is facing have stained Carter’s reputation. 

He said, “A lot of concern. You want this guy to become your team captain. When you pick a player like this in the top 10, you want him to become Richard Seymour. You want him to become a Hall of Fame player. You want to hit.” Lombardi made it clear that after the incident, the top 10 might be out of arm’s reach for the player.

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Will Criminal Charges Against NFL’s Top Draft Prospect Jalen Carter Be a Potential Threat to His Draft Standing?

Apart from this, Lombardi also raised his concern about the player showing up nine pounds heavier to his Pro Day, and struggling with the workouts. 

He said, “If your weight starts to zoom up because you’re literally sitting on the couch, that’s a problem. He’s got a lot of questions to answer.”

Carter’s tragic car accident

On January 15, Jalen Carter was involved in a fatal car crash that led to the death of his teammate Devin Willock and team staff Chandler LeCroy. Carter was behind the wheels of another car racing LeCroy, who was driving a Ford Expedition. The SUV which LeCroy was driving slammed into two power poles and several trees, leading to their death. 

It will be interesting to see how this incident affects Jalen Carter in the draft pick. While it is now unclear if he will still be a top-10 pick, it is still a fact that he will be an asset in terms of his position for any team that decides to draft the player.

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