Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter is considered to be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft this spring.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. made news last week after picking Carter to go to the Chicago Bears with the first pick, which would mark back-to-back years that a Bulldog was selected first overall after Travon Walker’s selection in 2022.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its most recent mock draft on Monday, which includes Carter going to the Chicago Bears with the No. 2 pick after a trade with the Houston Texans, who is projected to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at the No. 1 spot.
The wide consensus is that the Bears are shopping the first pick and a trade would likely be with a team with a quarterback need like the Texans.
When Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed his team’s draft approach in his post-season press conference, he emphasized three areas: pass rusher, offense and cornerback — “premium positions.” Pass rusher doesn’t just mean edge rusher, either, and a three-technique defensive tackle is paramount to Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme. In a trade-down, the Bears can recoup the early second-rounder they lost in the Chase Claypool trade while still having their choice of any non-quarterback. – PFF
No one knows what will happen on draft day, but Carter has a real shot at hearing his named called first on April 27.
Bulldogs Broderick Jones (No. 11 to the Tennessee Titans), and Darnell Washington (No. 29 to the Cincinnati Bengals) also received first round nods by PFF.
The draft will last through April 29 in Kansas City and will be aired on NFL Network.
