Pros and Cons of Philadelphia Eagles taking Georgia football's Jalen Carter in 2023 NFL Draft
Georgia football defensive tackle Jalen Carter was selected by the the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night.
The first-team All-American was the No. 9 overall pick after the Eagles traded up a spot to get him.
Carter is the fourth Georgia defensive lineman to go in the first round in the last two years, joining Travon Walker, Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt in 2022.
Carter was mostly a backup his first two seasons, but his talent was apparent even on a loaded defense.
He was a force during Georgia’s second straight national championship season once he overcame injuries.
Here’s what Carter brings to the NFL.
Georgia football DL Jalen Carter: The positives
There may not be a more disruptive player in this draft than Carter who had 32 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and a team-leading two forced fumbles. That’s despite missing three games early in the season and playing less than 20 snaps in four other games.
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Carter is behind only former Alabama star Quinnen Williams as the highest graded defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus going back to 2014.
His quickness and explosiveness allows the 6-foot-3, 314-pound Carter to surge into backfields. He’s powerful and able to outmaneuver blockers.
“I've been around coaching for 18 years and there's very few guys I've coached that have the talent that he has,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.
Georgia football defensive tackle Jalen Carter: The concerns
There were character concerns voiced most prominently by ESPN’s Todd McShay about Carter before his NFL combine appearance was circumvented by an arrest warrant in connection to a Jan. 15 fatal crash of a teammate and recruiting staffer.
He returned to Athens to turn himself in, made his way back to Indianapolis and ultimately pleaded no contest to charges of reckless driving and racing. He received probation, community service and a suspended license for 120 days.
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Carter’s football dedication and effort were a question before the driving arrest.
“The talent is oozing, it is a matter of can he play every play with maximum intensity and be able to sustain,” Smart said in the spring of 2022.
Final thoughts
Carter has the tools to be a longtime NFL player and Pro Bowler. He also has shown the need for a good organization around him and veteran players to show him the way.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Eagles pick Georgia football's Jalen Carter in 2023 NFL Draft
