Jalen Carter addresses January incident impacting NFL Draft status

Georgia Bulldogs star defensive tackle Jalen Carter has addressed the January incident that hovers over his status heading into the opening night of the NFL Draft. 

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio explained, Carter and agent Drew Rosenhaus spoke with HBO's Jon Frankel as part of a "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" profile of Rosenhaus. Carter was asked about pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing last month in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred on Jan. 15. 

"Yeah, I feel like it’s gonna matter a little bit," Carter said about the situation possibly impacting when he's drafted. "Because, you know, NFL teams look deep into your life. But it could’ve been something I did back in elementary [school]. You know, I’m pretty sure they’d know. So you know, this coming out at the time it did come out, I’m pretty sure is going to affect a little bit." 

Carter added that "a couple teams asked" him during pre-draft interviews about the incident and said that such clubs "really didn’t get too in-depth about the accident" and instead "wanted to hear my side and that was it." 

It was thought by some that Carter's draft stock took an additional hit when he showed up to Georgia's pro day nine pounds heavier than he was at the combine and then struggled to complete positional drills. However, Rosenhaus has made it known on multiple occasions he remains confident Carter will be a top-10 pick. 

As of early Tuesday evening, OddsChecker listed the Chicago Bears as the betting favorites at +250 to select Carter with the No. 9. overall pick. In a mock draft also released on Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay predicted Carter won't get past the Seattle Seahawks and the fifth pick. 

Six different CBS Sports analysts are forecasting Carter will be at least a top-eight selection on April 27.