Jalen Carter’s draft stock may have dipped, but not to the point where a team wasn’t willing to take him in the first round.
And that’s exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles did.
The Eagles traded a spot to take the defensive lineman from Georgia with the ninth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Declaring for the NFL Draft, the former five-star recruit instantly became a top prospect. If the Chicago Bears had kept the No. 1 pick, he might even have been a contender for the No. 1 pick.
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Jalen Carter poses after being selected ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
But last month it was revealed that Carter was the driver of a vehicle that was competing with another car carrying Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. The last vehicle crashed after traveling at speeds of over 100 mph, killing Willock and LeCroy.
Carter was charged with two misdemeanor reckless driving and racing, and pleaded no guilty. He was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Carter has also been ordered to serve 80 hours of community service and will have to complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
Jalen Carter of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with a newspaper after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in the college football national championship game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on January 9, 2023. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
In addition to his legal troubles from the accident, Carter reportedly also had problems on his professional day last month. He was nine pounds heavier than he was at the NFL Scouting Combine, going from 314 to 323 pounds. He was unable to complete the workouts and was seen breathing heavily. This came shortly after he was forced to miss several practices at the combine due to his charges for the accident.
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Carter joins the defending NFC champions, who have lost several starters on defense. Despite that, they remain retained contenders and starters like Darius Slay and James Bradberry.
The ninth pick originally belonged to the Carolina Panthers, but they switched to the first overall pick last month, which they ultimately used for Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. With Chicago on the clock, the trade was made with the Eagles and they selected Carter.
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter waves to the crowd before the national championship game against TCU on January 9, 2023, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Philly sent Chicago to a 2024 fourth round to move up one spot.