Jacksonville Jaguars would need to move up to land Jalen Carter in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't had to worry about the quarterback position since they drafted Trevor Lawrence first overall in 2021. However, there are other units they need to bolster in the 2023 NFL Draft. One of them is their defensive front and if they want to take the best defensive prospect in this year's class, they would need to move up several spots in the first round.

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter recently said via his agent Drew Rosenhaus that he will only visit teams that have a pick in the top 10 of the draft. Rosenhaus also said, per Adam Schefter of ESPN that Carter will meet with the Bears, who will pick at No. 9 and has already visited the Philadelphia Eagles, who hold the 10th overall selection.

The Florida native will receive probation as part of a plea deal for his involvement in a car accident that took the life of a football assistant and a teammate. He also showed up at his Pro Day out of shape. Nevertheless, neither situation seemed to have hurt Carter's draft stock and he's slated to go in the top 10.

Carter was arguably the most talented player in a loaded Bulldogs' defensive line. The coaches' 2021 Second-Team All-SEC played alongside Jalen Carter, Devonte Wyatt, and Jordan Davis, all of whom were drafted in the first round last year.

Although his work ethic was questioned after showing up out of shape at the Georgia Pro Day, Carter routinely showed a relentless motor on the football field. His athleticism and power are on display on tape and even though he has to clean up his hand placement, he has the potential to make an impact in the NFL right off the bat.

Does it make sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars to trade up for Jalen Carter?

This is the first time the Jacksonville Jaguars will be picking outside of the top 10 since 2018, when they took Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan. They currently hold the 24th selection and that will have a huge impact on their draft strategy. Depending on which prospects are available late in the first round, the team's brass could move out a few spots o maybe trade down and accumulate extra selections.

If the Jags wanted to move into the top 10 to select Jalen Carter or any of the other top prospects, they would have to part ways with significant trade compensation, possibly their second or third-round pick or maybe even their first-round selection in next year's draft.

The truth is that the price to move up in the draft might be too steep. Although Jacksonville needs to bolster their defensive front, they can't do it at the expense of giving many draft picks.
A trade into the top 10 seems highly unlikely given the cost but if Jacksonville thinks Carter is the missing piece on defense and help them get over the hump in the playoffs, they should then go ahead and pull a trade.

Jalen Carter would be a great addition to the Jaguars' defensive front but they should still have a wide array of options at No. 24, so they're better off staying put and taking one of the many prospects that will still be available when they're on the clock.