From a strictly on field perspective, Todd McShay has seen enough of Jalen Carter to have him as the second overall pick in his initial mock draft.
It's the off the field concerns that McShay feels are going to issues when the pre-draft process begins for the Georgia defensive tackle.
In discussing his mock draft with Mel Kiper on ESPN, McShay lauded what he's seen on film from Carter. "We all agree. It doesn't take a super scout to figure out that's a phenomenal player on the interior", McShay said yesterday.
The character issues from Jalen, he feels, are going to have to be addressed. "Does he get along with everybody? What's like to deal with in the locker room?"
McShay continued, "I'm forewarning everyone out there; Carter's gonn abe kind of a hot button name when we talk about some of the intangible aspects of it."
Even with the possible issues Carter may present, McShay has him going second overall to the Seahawks in the 2023 draft. Seattle acquired future first round pick from Denver in the Russell Wilson deal. McShay feels like Pete Carroll has a positive history of drafting players with character questions.
A story like this coming this early into the draft season seems a bit strange, but info like this leaking out isn't all that unfamiliar. This could come from all kinds of different sources, even another team in the draft hoping that Jalen's "issues" would cause him to fall in the draft to that team. To Jalen's credit, he's had social media support in defense of him, coming from both fans and teammates.
Today's Steakhouse with Steak and Drew Butler discussed the comments made by McShay, and how they don't think it's going to affect Jalen's draft stock at all. You can hear that audio above. And you can hear the Steakhouse daily from 9 am to 11 am.