Agent repeats Jalen Carter top-10 take ahead of NFL Draft

Big-name agent Drew Rosenhaus has told NBC Sports' Peter King why Georgia Bulldogs star defensive tackle Jalen Carter is attending the NFL Draft in Kansas City next week. 

"We definitely would have skipped it if I thought there was the potential of him falling out of the top 10," Rosenhaus explained. "I’m not concerned in the slightest about that." 

Rosenhaus raised eyebrows earlier this month when he announced that Carter would decline visits to teams selecting outside the top 10 picks in the draft. It's since been reported that "at least a couple" of clubs have removed Carter from their draft boards, entirely, but Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels refuted a claim that said his organization "is not an option for" the polarizing prospect. 

Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing last month in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred in January. He also struggled to complete positional drills at Georgia's pro day and weighed in nine pounds heavier for that workout than he was at the combine.

"The goal has been to educate teams about Jalen and the case and who he is," Rosenhaus said of Carter's meetings with franchises. "It hasn’t been an easy process, but I do think it’s been good for Jalen to get out and see the teams. I think there’s a very good chance he’ll go in the top five." 

In a mock draft posted last Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the Seattle Seahawks will grab Carter with the fifth-overall pick. As of Monday afternoon, Oddschecker listed the Chicago Bears as the betting favorites to draft Carter at +250. Chicago holds pick No. 9. 

Kiper noted that he does not expect Carter will "drop out of the top seven picks" on April 27. 

"NFL teams believe he's too talented to pass up," Kiper added.