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REPORT: Jalen Carter won’t get past Bears in 1st round of 2023 NFL Draft

2023 NFL Draft Report: The Chicago Bears remain high on Georgia’s Jalen Carter and will take him at No. 9 if he’s still available.

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2023

Bryan Perez

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If you’re a Chicago Bears fan advocating for Jalen Carter in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, you’ll love the latest report from ESPN.

According to Matt Miller, the Bears “value Jalen Carter highly.” The Georgia standout won’t get past their pick at No. 9 overall if he’s still on the board.

“The best intel I have on the Bears? I’ve heard defensive tackle Jalen Carter (Georgia) won’t fall past their pick at No. 9,”

Jalen Carter is the perfect fit for Chicago Bears at 3-tech

Jalen Carter is considered by many to be the top non-quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft class. His off-field issues have caused his draft stock to slide, but there’s been a growing sense around the league in recent weeks that he won’t slide past the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5.

The Chicago Bears” need for a 3-tech is obvious. The position’s importance in Matt Eberflus’ defense, combined with Carter’s stature as a game-wrecking defensive tackle, makes his projection to the Bears easy. Chicago hasn’t added an upgrade over Justin Jones this offseason.

Indeed, Carter’s scouting report isn’t without flaws. His motor doesn’t always run hot on the field, and his decisions off the field have been questionable. The Chicago Bears have done their due diligence on him over the last few weeks, and at this point in the draft process, they should have any questions about Jalen Carter answered.

The only question that remains is whether he’ll be on the board when GM Ryan Poles is on the clock.

Offensive line still the projected first-round pick for Chicago Bears

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, which aggregates thousands of mock drafts across the internet, Jalen Carter’s most likely destination is the Detroit Lions at No. 6 overall. It would be a worst-case scenario for the Chicago Bears as they jockey for next-gen NFC North supremacy.

Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski remains the most popular pick for the Bears at No. 9, with 30% of mock drafts sending the versatile offensive lineman to Chicago in the first round. I doubt Poles will take an offensive lineman who doesn’t profile as a prototypical tackle in Round 1, but if the Bears view Skoronski as an All-Pro guard, it’ll be a valuation that’s too hard to pass up.

Much can change between now and April 27, when the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off. It always does. Late-breaking controversies tend to shift the first-round landscape. Until then, the possibility of Jalen Carter to the Chicago Bears remains in play.

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