NFL rumors: 5 teams that should hope Jalen Carter’s stock keeps falling
By John Buhler
North. 9. 57. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. NFC. Chicago Bears. player
The Chicago Bears could win Carolina Panthers trade by taking him at No. 9
Count me as a major detractor of the Chicago Bears moving down from No. 1 to No. 9 in the blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers. This has nothing to do with the haul Bears got in return, but rather my doubts that they will be able to realistically draft a hall-of-fame-level talent with the ninth overall selection. However, should Carter fall to the Bears at No. 9, that could do it.
Prior to moving back with the Panthers, Carter was a serious candidate to go No. 1 overall to the Bears, as they are not in the market to draft a quarterback. In theory, general manager Ryan Poles would have taken either Carter or Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. with the top overall selection to give Justin Fields his counterpart on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe he still can?
Look. There is no way in hell Anderson makes it past the Seattle Seahawks picking at No. 5. He is probably going to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 as the top non-quarterback in this draft. That probably pushes Carter down to at least No. 5 before he would come off the board. Chicago needs a ton of help to even be in a position to draft Carter, but the Bears must take advantage of his fall.
If the Atlanta Falcons were to somehow pass on him at No. 8, then the Bears need to go draft him.