NEWSLETTER
The rumors connecting Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter to the Chicago Bears in the upcoming NFL Draft have persisted on throughout the offseason, even after the Bears traded the No. 1 pick in the draft.
And once again, ESPN’s Matt Miller dishes what he’s heard about him and the Bears’ plans with the No. 9 pick.
“I’ve heard defensive tackle Jalen Carter (Georgia) won’t fall past their pick at No. 9. They are said to value him highly,” Miller shares via an ESPN insiders piece. “One AFC college scouting director said the Seahawks (who pick at No. 5) and Lions (No. 6) also could take Carter in the top 10. Outside of the value, Carter would be a great fit in the middle of the Chicago defensive line. He’d be a true building block for Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defense.”
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because last week, Miller shared a similar sentiment:
Draft guru Matt Miller hears from a group of NFL scouts and executives that Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter won’t fall out of the top 10, name-checking the Bears as a team that could be one of the teams with eyes on Carter: “When asked to predict Carter’s landing spot,” Miller writes “more than 10 scouts and execs polled believed he would be drafted at No. 5 (Seattle Seahawks) or No. 9 (Chicago Bears).”
It was notable then. And it’s still noteworthy now. Even more so because Miller isn’t changing his tune. Sometimes, draftniks will throw stuff at walls and hope it sticks. Particularly this time of year when rumors are flying this, that, and the other way. So it is worthy of mentioning that Miller continues driving home this particular thing he has heard. Sure, maybe he is recycling old information for a new piece. That isn’t unheard of. Or perhaps it is truly the case that the Bears have strong feelings for Carter and his name continues to be the one that comes up in conversations. It would also not be unheard of for a team have a desire to pick a player with Carter’s football traits and talents if he falls to said team’s pick.
Carter has some things to sort through regarding off-the-field concerns. With that in mind, it makes sense that some teams are dropping Carter off their board. However, it is also possible the Bears were given assurances in the form of suitable answers from Carter since his booking and poor pro-day performance. And if that is the case, we could see the smoke surrounding Carter and the Bears continue to gather. Let’s keep it real. Miller isn’t wrong in pointing out Carter’s fit. Carter’s résumé (and upside) certainly put him in the discussion as a true building block for that defense. So, yeah, the fit is there. And the Bears make sense as a soft landing spot for Carter.
However true the Carter-Bears fit is, it is also noteworthy that Miller adds the Lions to the mix of teams with an interest in taking the UGA defensive tackle. Detroit drafting Aidan Hutchinson and Jalen Carter in back-to-back years would make for some scary hours in the NFC North. But we can cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, knowing that a bridge for Carter to Detroit exists is enough for me. We’ll continue monitoring his status as we continue driving toward the draft.
