Jalen Carter's tumultuous March might have cost himself some serious coin ... because former NFL GM Michael Lombardi tells TMZ Sports he'd now have "a lot of concern" drafting the UGA star if he were still running a team.

Carter was hit with two criminal charges on March 1 over his alleged role in a Jan. 15 car crash -- and then just 14 days later, he showed up to his Pro Day nine pounds heavier ... before struggling during the workout.

While the 21-year-old has since struck a plea deal with prosecutors to put his legal issues behind him ... Lombardi says it all would have him seriously wary of picking the defensive lineman in next month's NFL draft if he were still in charge of a team's war room.