Jalen Carter Is Now The Favorite To Win 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been on an absolute tear this season, exceeding everyone’s expectations. The Eagles’ No. 9 overall pick is now the favorite to be named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year at Fanduel Sportsbook (-175) and DraftKings Sportsbook (-175)–the two most renowned sportsbooks nationwide.
Through five games, Carter has put up 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits with a pair of forced fumbles. Carter proved to be a formidable presence in the Eagles’ victory against the Rams on Sunday, totaling two sacks, four tackles, two tackles for loss and two QB hits.
However, he thinks he has a whole lot more to do. When asked if he feels unstoppable, Carter said he doesn’t see it that way.
“Nah, I wouldn’t say unstoppable,” Carter said, via NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I still got a lot to improve, man. There’s a lot of plays out there where I could have won my rep but I got blocked that rep. So I just gotta get better every week.”
It’s awesome for the Eagles to have someone like Carter who always has the mindset of getting better. That’s what great players do.
Aaron Donald has that mindset, and while it may be way too early to compare them, Carter is putting up similar numbers to one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. According to Jeff Kerr of CBS, both Jalen Carter and Donald have the same amount of pressures for a defensive tackle this season at 23.
Most pressures by DT — 2023 #NFL season
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) October 10, 2023
Aaron Donald — 23
Jalen Carter — 23 #Eagles
That is an absolutely insane number for a defensive tackle. It doesn’t stop there for the rookie phenom though. According to ESPN Analytics, Carter ranks 2nd among defensive tackles in terms of pass rush win rate at 24 percent, with Aaron Donald currently sitting at 18 percent.
Carter ties for 1st in terms of pass rush wins among defensive tackles (19) with Quinnen Williams and Javon Hargrave. The former Georgia Bulldog faces double teams 62 percent of the time in his pass rush snaps, while Donald faces them at 60 percent.
Head coach Nick Sirianni cautioned reporters not to make a Hall of Fame bust for Carter just yet.
“We have high hopes for him,” Sirianni said. “But he’s got to keep proving it over and over and over again. Because if you want to be considered in the top part of this league as a football player, it’s about consistency and it’s about doing it year in and year out. He’s had a good start. He’s got to continue to put the work in. We know he has the talent, we know he’s a phenomenal talent based off of what you’ve seen so far, based off of what we’ve seen in practice, based off of what you saw in college.”
With his college teammate Jordan Davis and veteran Fletcher Cox right beside him, in addition to Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham on the EDGE, this Eagles defensive line is going to continue to give offenses nightmares.
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