Todd McShay with more disparaging remarks for Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter was in the conversation for the 1st overall pick some time ago. Now, it is more likely that he falls out of the top 10.

Much has been made about his “off-the-field issues” in light of a recent arrest for charges that stem from the night a car accident took the lives of a Georgia player and staffer.

It was compounded when Carter showed up to the Bulldogs’ Pro Day nearly 10 pounds overweight. By all accounts, it was a terrible workout for one of the top talents in the 2023 draft class.

NFL insider Jesse Palmer told local radio hosts on 92.9 The Game recently that the worry goes beyond the original instances. Instead, they relate to his dedication to football. “He came out and dominated on Saturdays. But I don’t think he eats, sleeps and breathes football Sunday through that next Saturday.”

Now, that is a more than fair reason to pass on a player, but when he’s on the field, he’s arguably the most talented player in the draft class. There are no questions about Carter’s production.

Palmer isn’t the only one. Todd McShay was the initial media pundit who sounded the alarm about the character concerns, recently stating he could slide to the back end of the top 10.

The Georgia defender is arguably the most talented non-quarterback prospect in this class, but there isn’t just one red flag anymore, there are several. His draft stock continues to take a tumble, as Brady Henderson noted that McShay said, “Carter’s effort level in practice…left something to be desired.”

There are always talented prospects who slide down draft boards for one reason or another, and it seems like Jalen Carter is next in line. Concern about effort level is a reasonable cause for any club to pass on him.

And McShay is once again providing disparaging remarks on Barstool’s Pardon My Take.

“As good as Jalen Carter was and as important as he was in these last 2 years winning national championships, I don’t think there are a lot of people in Athens that are crying that Jalen Carter’s leaving town. I think he’s been a lot to handle.”

That is a pretty damning comment from one of the most respected names in the business.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire