Tracking Jalen Carter’s path to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award entering Week 5
Jalen Carter was the initial first-round pick to sign his rookie deal.
Before the season, the former Georiga All-American manifested huge goals, and through four weeks in Sean Desai’s system, he’s on his way toward a triumphant affirmation.
Carter wants to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Rams and Aaron Donald at Sofi Stadim, the defensive tackle has staked his claim to that award and a potential Pro Bowl and All-Pro nomination.
We’re tracking Carter’s path to winning the award from now until Week 17, and ahead of Sunday’s game against the Rams, it’s Carter’s award to lose after the Christian Gonzalez injury news.
Top hopefuls
DT Jalen Carter–Eagles
CB Christian Gonzalez — Patriots
Edge rusher Will Anderson –Texanns
CB Juju Brents –Colts
LB Ivan Pace Jr. –Vikings
DB Brian Branch — Lions
Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu –Chargers
CB Emmanuel Forbes –Commanders
CB Devon Witherspoon –Seahawks
1. Jalen Carter
Carter continues to make an early DROY case after logging five pressures against Washington per PFF.
The No. 9 overall pick has two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, eight tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits, while leading all rookie NFL defensive tackles in pressures.
#NFL DTs in 2023…
Average Pass Rush Get-Off
0.77 . . . Chris Jones (KC)
0.78 . . . Jalen Carter (#Eagles)
0.82 . . . Aaron Donald (LAR)Pressures
22 . . . Javon Hargrave (SF)
21 . . . Jalen Carter (#Eagles)
19 . . . Aaron Donald (LAR)Pressure Rate
21.2% . . . Jalen Carter… pic.twitter.com/WswWACpZKJ— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) October 3, 2023
Carter’s 92.2 season-long grade leads all defensive tackles.
2. Edge rusher Will Anderson --Texans
Anderson has 11 tackles, one sack, 8 stops, 8 QB hurries, 13 total pressures and 4 QB hits on the season.
He’s continuing to improve and will battle Carter down to the final week.
3. CB Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez was a front-runner for the award prior to leaving New England’s loss to Dallas with a torn labrum.
The trade for JC Jackson was necessary because… #Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez, who would have been a candidate for defensive rookie of the year, is likely to miss the rest of the 2023 season with a torn labrum from a dislocated shoulder on Sunday, sources say. Surgery soon. pic.twitter.com/97usulsG6N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2023
4. Devon Witherspoon, CB--Patriots
The first-round pick entered the discussion after his massive performance against the Giants on Monday Night Football.
Witherspoon logged two sacks, seven tackles, three QB hits, and a highlight reel 97-yard pick-six off Daniel Jones during a 24-3 victory over the Giants.
The former Illinois cornerback allowed a 44.8 passer rating while in coverage and he’s now the second-highest-graded cornerback of Week 4.
5. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu --Chargers
The Chargers 2023 second-round pick has stepped up in a big way due to injuries among the edge rushers. Through four games, Tuipulotu has 2.0 sacks, four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.
6. CB Emmanuel Forbes --Commanders
Forbes received his welcome to the NFL moment during his intense matchup with A.J. Brown in Week 4.
I asked Eagles WR A.J. Brown how he was being defended, particularly by Commanders 1st round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/0mfTzCGQ0L
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) October 2, 2023
The Eagles All-Pro had 9 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns while matched up with the rookie cornerback.
7. DB Brian Branch -- Lions
Branch has been the best rookie defennsive back in the league flourishing as a safety and one of the top young slot corners in the NFL.
Per TruMedia, Branch leads all defensive backs in true stops (14), and his run defense has been stout.
