Rookie defensive end Jalen Carter fell in the NFL Draft due to character concerns but if the early returns are any indication, Philadelphia may have ended up with the steal of the draft.
Carter has been an early standout in training camp and during the preseason. He’s flashed an uncanny ability to penetrate opposing offenses and make plays in the backfield. That continued in Monday’s practice against the Browns when Carter finished with two sacks and a fumble recovery.
He also had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit that nearly forced an interception.
Bucky Brooks Calls Carter Top NFL Rookie Performer
NFL scout Bucky Brooks believes that Carter has had the most impressive debut among any rookie in the draft.
“When you look at what the Philadelphia Eagles got, another disruptive dude at the point of attack,” Brooks said on NFL Network. “He looks every bit as good as a No. 1 overall pick.”
Check out the clip below.
Carter Flashes Ability To Line Up At Multiple Positions
The Eagles defensive line is stacked and Sean Desai will need to get creative to make the best use of all of his playmakers.
For rookies like Carter and fellow first-round pick Nolan Smith, playing time might not be easy to come by early in the season. But with the way that Carter is playing right now, it’s going to be hard to keep him off of the field.
The Eagles’ rookie sacked Deshaun Watson twice in the joint practice versus the Browns while showing the ability to line up at both the defensive tackle and defensive end spots. He was dominant on the interior and on the edge, meaning the Eagles can line him and their other defensive stars up in a variety of ways.
For Carter, his versatility could ultimately be the asset that gets him on the field early and often during his rookie season, allowing him to make an instant impact in Philadelphia.
Eagles Veterans Take Note Of Carter’s Performance
Carter’s play has also caught the eye of some of the stars on the Eagles’ defense. Haason Reddick and Fletcher Cox both spoke with the media about Carter’s talent at camp.
“His intensity. He’s a dawg. Our depth is crazy. We call it 1A and 1B.” Reddick told reporters.
“The biggest thing is seeing him go out there and destroy people,” said Cox.
2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Currently, Carter is among the favorites to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Eagles’ top pick enters with +700 odds to win the award, the second-best among any player behind only Houston Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (+300).
Tyree Wilson (+750), Devon Witherspoon (+1000), and fellow Eagles’ rookie Nolan Smith (+1100) round out the top-five contenders for NFL DROY.
Carter’s biggest obstacle to bringing home the hardware is his path to playing time. Anderson Jr. figures to get as many snaps as he can handle during the Texans’ rebuild while Carter will have to battle for snaps on a loaded Eagles’ defensive line.
However, Carter will also benefit from playing with better players around him, which could open up opportunities for him to bring pressure in the interior and on the edge.
And following Carter’s latest performance in training camp and the preseason, his odds might be improving in the near future.
