Untapping Jalen Carter: How this player gets best from Eagles rookie while helping himself
PHILADELPHIA − It shouldn't be so easy to overlook Jordan Davis.
The Eagles' second-year defensive tackle is 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, and he was the Eagles' first-round pick in 2022.
Or as Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai put it recently: "You see him. Go find another human being that looks like him. There are not many people built like that. He's strong. He's fast. He's quick. He's powerful."
And yet, throughout the preseason, all the hype at defensive tackle has been about rookie Jalen Carter, the Eagles' first-round pick this season and Davis' teammate at Georgia.
Davis has a lot to do with that.
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Carter has played only nine snaps during the preseason games, making it seem like the Eagles are purposely trying to keep him a secret heading into the opener against New England on Sept. 10.
Davis, meanwhile, is coming off a rookie season in which his playing time diminished significantly after missing four games with an ankle injury in the middle of the season. During Davis' time on IR, the Eagles signed veterans Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh, to go along with veterans Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.
Of those four, only Cox, in his 12th season, is back this season. So Davis should have every opportunity to take on a major role after playing just 20% of the defensive snaps last season.
Only Cox, Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu (both in their third season) have more seniority at defensive tackle than Davis.
So yes, Davis sees himself as one of the leaders, and that includes bringing out the best in Carter. By doing so, Davis said that will bring out the best in him, too.
"I’m still not where I want to be," Davis said. "I’m still young, relatively, but I just want to be able to get better ... I'm the type of guy who’s like a social butterfly, so if I can pull somebody with me, or if they can pull me with them, it will make spending that (extra) time ... (better).
"And then when you see improvements alongside with your guys, it makes you feel better and gets you more motivated."
Carter is more reserved than the gregarious Davis. The two were part of a loaded defensive line at Georgia that won the national championship in 2021. Three defensive linemen, including Davis, were first-round NFL picks. The Bulldogs won the title again last season with Carter anchoring the line.
Carter was expected to be a top pick before off-field issues led him to fall to the Eagles at No. 9.
One of the reasons why the Eagles took a chance on Carter was that two of his Georgia teammates in Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean (both in 2022) were already on the team. The Eagles also drafted Georgia teammates Nolan Smith (first round) and Kelee Ringo (fourth round) after Carter.
"I know he’s coming into a new environment," Davis said. "He’s got to feel people out. I had to feel a lot of people out (as a rookie). I’m more outspoken about it. Just knowing those signs, knowing when (Carter) doesn’t feel like talking, knowing when he doesn’t feel like being bothered with.
"Everybody has their days. It’s human nature. If you can pick up on that body language, if you can pick up on how he’s feeling. I’ve been with him so long I know what kind of day he’s having. If he needs a little extra love, if he needs a little space, it’s just as simple as saying, 'Good morning.'
"We’re human. Open hearts, open minds. I really believe that when I say that. It’s just all about communication, and I think that’s what makes a team great when you’re able to feel that. And maybe on the field it’s like, 'Hey, man, come on, I need you.' Or, 'You did it. Let’s do it again.'"
The Georgia players have a "Philly Dawgs" text chain. That has helped all of them with a wide range of things like talking through practices and coaches, to finding dogsitters and restaurant recommendations.
Carter said all of that support has helped him, especially on his first-ever NFL game snap, when he nearly sacked Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson in a preseason game on Aug. 12.
"These guys made me feel very comfortable as soon as I got in here," Carter said after the game. "Really, if the guys didn’t make me feel as comfortable as I am now, I probably would’ve never made that play."
In a way, that has helped Davis, too, after a rookie season that didn't live up to his standards.
"A year ago, I was kind of like doubting myself," Davis said recently. "Obviously I made it this far for a reason, but it’s one of those things where you keep second-guessing yourself, especially after the injury, I was always second-guessing myself.
"But now, going into this role, being in more of a leadership role, I’m starting to gain more confidence for myself and everybody else."
Eagles sign 13 to practice squad, including a punter
The Eagles signed 13 players to their practice squad Wednesday. They have three spots remaining, although they don't have to fill them all. All of the players signed were with the team during training camp. They included punter Arryn Siposs and wide receiver Britain Covey, who served as the punt returner last season. The Eagles also signed WR Devon Allen, CB Mekhi Garner, OL Julian Good-Jones, DE Tarron Jackson, LB Kyron Johnson, S Tristin McCollum, WR Joseph Ngata, TE Brady Russell, OL Bret Toth, LB Ben VanSumeren, WR Greg Ward.
The Eagles did not claim anyone placed on waivers Tuesday. But they did lose two players who were claimed. S K'Von Wallace signed with Arizona, coached by former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. OL Josh Sills signed with Indianapolis, coached by former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. In addition, TE Tyree Jackson signed to the Giants' practice squad.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Untapping Jalen Carter: How Jordan Davis gets best out of Eagles rookie
