Georgia Bulldogs interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter was listed in the top five of nearly every NFL Draft mock draft and odds list, but his stock is now plummeting. Early Wednesday morning reports revealed that a warrant is out for Carter’s arrest from a January car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and staff member Charles LeCroy. The latest Jalen Carter NFL Draft odds show he’s no longer projected at the top of the board.
Jalen Carter NFL Draft Odds Plummet Following News
As recent as last week, Carter was listed among the top candidates to become the first overall selection in the draft (+600). Those odds skyrocketed (+1600 on DraftKings Sportsbook) after the Wednesday morning report. Carter now finds himself behind Bryce Young (-160), C.J. Stroud (+380), Will Levis (+500), Will Anderson (+650) and Anthony Richardson (+650).
An investigation report from the crash stated Carter and LeCroy were “operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing” shortly before the fatal crash.
“The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists, and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other,” the police statement said, per ESPN.
Carter was believed to be on several teams’ radar, including the Chicago Bears — who currently hold the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft but are reportedly looking to move down given their confidence in quarterback Justin Fields. The news on Wednesday makes it less likely that the Bears (or any other team) make a move on Carter early on in the NFL Draft.
If teams decide to move off Carter on their draft boards, they may look to make a move on Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, who currently projects as the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft in Mel Kiper’s latest mock. Carter had been projected to go at No. 4, but that seems far-fetched now.
Carter was expected to meet with the media at the NFL Combine on Wednesday morning but did not speak following the news. He released a statement on social media stating that he is heading back to Athens, Georgia, to cooperate with the police investigation, adding that he expects to be “fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”
Based on the latest Jalen Carter NFL Draft odds, he may end up falling to the back of the first round given the troubling situation.
