Perhaps the biggest wild card entering the 2023 NFL Draft is defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
The former Georgia Bulldogs star was once considered a possibility for the first overall selection -- until he was charged with two misdemeanors in relation to a fatal January car crash that claimed the lives of a teammate and a staff worker for the football program.
Authorities say Carter was street racing against the doomed vehicle. The 22-year-old unanimous All-American pled not guilty to the charges and said his name will be cleared. Further muddying Carter's draft stock was a disappointing show at his pro day, where he appeared to be out of shape and unable to finish drills.
While Carter's on-field performance to date has been indisputable, questions remain about his character and decision-making off of it.
For former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, teams who are interested in Carter must do their homework and make sure there is full organizational buy-in on the possibility of drafting him.
"What we know about this situation is, yes, it's very, very sad," Dimitroff told hosts Steak Shapiro and Rusty Mansell on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta on Wednesday morning. "We all recognize that. It's a horrible situation.
"Now moving forward, as a GM, as a team builder, and as a head coach, you need to decide on -- make sure you crossed your t's and dotted your i's with all your research, make sure your owner's on board with you, make sure your president is on board with you. So that when you are delivering, when you make that move -- because there's going to be a lot of stuff hanging out there -- that you know where you're going."
According to Dimitroff, Carter is a rare talent who will benefit from joining a stable professional organization where he can mature as a person. He even identified a team that would be an "ideal" fit for Carter.
"This kid is one of the best talents to come along at that position in a long time. Yes he had a bad pro day. No one wants to see that, right? It's a little agitating. I'm sure he's had a ton on his mind. But you can't pass up an opportunity like that. When we start talking about the Seattle Seahawks at 5, it seems like an ideal spot. They have an organization there with four and five different player development programs. That's what you need. You need someone that's going to help that guy get through what he's dealing with.
"He is, categorically, not getting out of the top 10, in my mind. There's no way Drew Rosenhaus lets him go to the green room and be fiddling around there from 10 to 15."
For Dimitroff, Carter's transcendent talent is on par with one of Dimitroff's most notable draft picks during his 12-year tenure with the Falcons -- five-time All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones.
"I think he has similar talent," Dimitroff said. "He's got Hall of Fame talent."
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