No team in the NFL would have more trouble explaining their logic of taking a chance on Jalen Carter than the Raiders.
The Georgia prospect is widely considered one of the draft’s top defensive linemen. However, recently he pleaded no-contest to charges of racing and reckless driving in a drag racing accident that resulted in two deaths.
Driving the other car was Georgia recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy with Carter’s teammate Devin Willock in the passenger side. Both were killed in the resulting crash.
When head coach Josh McDaniels was asked this week about his stance on Carter, and he only gave a generic answer about doing their due diligence, The Athletic is reporting that the Raiders have effectively taken Carter off their draft board when they select at seven overall.
This is a wise decision for the Raiders as a franchise more so than probably any other club.
The incident in which former receiver Henry Ruggs was traveling at a high rate of speed and killing a young woman and her dog in a fiery crash is still very fresh in everyone’s minds. And to even consider drafting Carter would be seen as at very least insensitive and draw heavy criticism.
Therefore, staying well away from Carter is a wise decision.