The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly have no intention of selecting one of the top defensive players in the 2023 NFL Draft, after the player found themselves embroiled in serious off-the-field trouble earlier this month.
Year one for new general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels was quite disappointing in 2022. That is why the Las Vegas Raiders have been aggressive in restructuring their roster over the last couple of months.
Before the season ended, they brought an end to quarterback Derek Carr’s nine-year tenure with the team and found his replacement in Jimmy Garoppolo on the first day of NFL free agency. They have traded talented but often injured tight end Darren Waller, and franchise-tagged Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders reportedly interested in divisive QB prospect in 2023 NFL Draft
With many of the notable players on the free agent market off the board, the Las Vegas Raiders will now shift to making major roster changes through the NFL Draft. The team has the seventh selection overall and will be able to land a player that could be a future star. While there has been speculation that they could draft a QB, their defense needs more impact players.
Las Vegas Raiders record (2022): 6-11, third place in AFC West
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter is, arguably, the best defensive player available in 2023. However, after being arrested and agreeing to a plea deal in Georgia earlier this month, the narrative on him has completely changed. And it seems that incident has turned off any interest Las Vegas might have had in him.
On Thursday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic revealed that Jalen Carter “is not an option for the Raiders at No. 7, having already been crossed off by the team, according to a league source.”
That is quite notable considering the needs he would address for the Las Vegas Raiders and should really slim down the logical options for their pick in April.
Carter was arrested by police in Athens, Georgia after an investigation found he gave a misleading account of his involvement in a fatal car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy days after Georgia’s victory over Alabama in the national championship game.