The Pittsburgh Steelers have not done a trade to move up in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2019. They made a horrible mistake drafting Devin Bush Jr in an attempt to fill the gaping hole Ryan Shazier had left in the defense. The 2023 NFL Draft is approaching fast, and the Steelers have a new General Manager in Omar Khan. Peter King is floating rumors that the Steelers are keen on trading up with the Chicago Bears to select Jalen Carter from the Georgia Bulldogs.
Perry McIntyre | Georgia Athletics
Jalen Carter hits QB Hendon Hooker in 2022 at Sanford Stadium
Many fans are not reacting well to this news on social media, and some are intensely opposed to Carter wearing black and gold. It is understandable that they would be hesitant because the trauma of the Bush deal is still fresh in many minds. The question for fans is, is this about the monumental miss that Bush turned out to be, or is it about Carter the player?
Carter is a supremely talented defensive lineman from back-to-back National Championship teams at Georgia. Carter was second-team All-SEC in 2021 on what may have been the best college football defense ever. In 2022, Carter elevated his game to All-SEC first team and he was a unanimous All-American 2022. Roman Harper, who is an SEC Network analyst and former Super Bowl Champion safety with the New Orleans Saints raved about the Bulldogs’ defensive lineman.
“He reminds me a lot of Ndamukong Suh with his power,” Harper gushed. “His ability to still stop all the run plays and still give you pass rush too because of his brute strength. When he’s healthy and he wants to play, he’s the most dominating lineman in the country.”
Creator: Marcio Jose Sanchez | Credit: AP
Steelers potential target Jalen Carter
Fans, especially old-school fans, and media observers are down on Carter because of issues that popped up after he was arrested in connection with a drag race that turned deadly. After Georgia won its second National Championship his teammate Devin Willock, who was a passenger in the car driven by Chandler Lecroy who was well past the legal blood alcohol limit, was involved in a tragic accident while racing Carter’s vehicle. Carter was charged with reckless driving and street racing but currently has no legal culpability for the fatalities.
The accident is a significant issue, but it is not why fans and observers are down on him. Carter had issues at his pro day which he probably should have skipped. Not long after his arrest and the death of two friends, Carter was nine pounds over his NFL combine weight and could not finish the drills he was supposed to participate in. He coupled that with a statement he would not visit teams drafting outside of the top 10 and touched off a firestorm of criticism.
Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
Steelers prospect Jalen Carter (88)
I have been watching Steelers football for decades and as a representative of the old in old school, this kid is getting a bad rap. It is not great that he had issues at his Pro Day and the statement did not help his cause, but he did lose two friends and has to feel responsible for the deaths even if he isn’t legally liable. Carter is 22 years old, and this incident is a lot to process. The question is if the squeeze is worth the juice.
“As for which defender goes first off the board, it will come down to team fit,” Mel Kiper Jr from ESPN wrote. “Anderson is atop more big boards right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Carter go to the first team that needs a defensive player.”
Steelers Could Be Angling For A Chance To Draft Jalen Carter According To Peter King
The Steelers have a small chance to grab a top-five defensive player in the upcoming NFL Draft if, in fact, the Bears were to agree to a trade. The NFL is not a church choir, and his talent dictates he will get an opportunity. The Philadelphia Eagles at ten are not likely to pass on Carter and the Steelers will have to get ahead of them if he starts to slide. This brings us all the way back to the Bush debacle.
The Steelers are not reaching for need like they were with Bush who was an undersized linebacker with great speed when they went up to get him. He was never capable of becoming the leader of the defense and the Steelers knew they had issues when they took the dot off his helmet. Bush was talented but the top ten was a reach.
Without the legal issues and poor decisions after, Carter would not get out of the top five of the 2023 NFL Draft and would quite likely go at number three to the Arizona Cardinals. The talent is not in question, he dominated in the SEC and the college football playoffs. He will need significant mentoring and guidance, but he will have Cam Heyward and Mike Tomlin to work with which makes it the best situation in the NFL to bring out his best.
There were times watching Jalen Carter game film where you had to check to make sure it wasn’t just a highlight reel. pic.twitter.com/s5qJXx7jJT
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 17, 2023
Carter is not the second coming of Bush. If the rumors are true, the Steelers could be getting the best defensive lineman in the country and a long-term solution for the defense. If Khan and trench expert Andy Weidl pull this off, it could be the foundation for a very special run during Kenny Pickett’s rookie contract.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Is Carter worth the risk? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
#SteelerNation
