Eagles Rumors: The Jalen Carter debate and his availability at Number 10
By griley
There is no doubt that Jalen Carter is one of, if not, the best players in this year’s NFL Draft class. The pre-draft process hasn’t been kind to the former Georgia Bulldog. Character questions have risen and, after a poor pro-day performance, his stock has fallen. That poses the question: should the Philadelphia Eagles take a chance on him if he’s available at the tenth-overall selection?
All of this surrounds another attention-grabbing headline. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Philly recently brought Carter in for visit. Despite the character concerns, Schefter says Carter and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are declining any visit requests outside of those that can be scheduled with teams that are selecting during the first ten picks on this month’s draft.
Here is what Drew Rosenhaus had to say:
"I’m confident Jalen will go in the top 10. He’s a good person, a family man, loves football and is a generational talent."
Fans had most likely resigned themselves to thinking Carter would be long gone by the time the Eagles were on the clock and it was their time for Philly to make its pick. However, after recent events, there are theories that Carter could fall right into the Eagles’ lap.
Would the Eagles’ brass actually take Carter at ten? We can speculate, but no one has a definite answer. Here’s what we do know. This feels like a Roseman type of pick if he is available. There’s no denying that he’s definitely going to be tempting.
A shaky draft process has caused Jalen Carter’s draft stock to take a hit.
Character concerns always arise right before the selection meeting. It wouldn’t feel like a draft season without a little drama though.
Remember when Laremy Tunsil, the expected first-overall selection of the 2016 draft, found himself as the subject of controversy? The fallout resulted in him sliding to the Miami Dolphins at the 13th pick. It isn’t uncommon for character concerns to scare teams off.
light. Related Story. NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter facing charges
Jalen Carter was once seen as someone who could be the first player taken during the coming NFL Draft. Prior to the most recent NFL Scouting Combine, he was charged with reckless driving and racing. Unfortunately, a former teammate and a member of UGA’s recruiting staff lost their lives during the incident.
Carter left Indianapolis for Athens, Georgia to turn himself in. He would eventually return to the combine but didn’t take part in any drills. Two weeks later, he disappointed at his highly-anticipated Pro Day by showing up nine pounds heavier than he was at the combine. He would have to cut his day short due to issues with cramps.
Clearly, that isn’t the best look. Maybe stress was involved? Maybe he had less time to prepare for his Pro Day with the allegations swirling? Maybe he was still coping with the death of his teammate and staff member. No one knows, but needless to say, interested teams have concerns.
Despite the controversy, there are several arguments for the Eagles drafting Jalen Carter as the tenth-overall selection.
During the 2022 SEC Championship Game featuring the Georgia Bulldogs and LSU Tigers, one play stands out. LSU’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels, took a snap in the shotgun, dropped back to pass, and, with no one open, tried to make something happen with his legs.
Jalen Carter disrupted the play immediately, bursting through the offensive line and wrapping his arms around Daniels five yards in the backfield. Following the whistle, Carter rose to celebrate with one arm in the air while lifting Daniels off of the ground with the other.
The tape speaks for itself: Jalen Carter is a monster. The six-foot-three, 300-pound defensive tackle was a force this past season, and Georgia took advantage of some of his versatility. He was used as a fullback on the goal line. Good luck if you were asked to line up across from him as an opposing offensive lineman.
During his three seasons spent with Georgia, he collected 83 total tackles, six sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. It’s important to remember he did this as part of Georgia’s heavy defensive line rotation.
The Birds have an obvious hole to fill along their defensive front with one of their starters, Javon Hargrave, signing a four-year, $84 million contract to play with the San Francisco 49ers in the middle of March. Fletcher Cox was re-signed. Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu will be asked to step up, but that won’t stop Howie Roseman from drafting another defensive tackle.
Carter has some familiarity with two future starters on the Eagles roster. Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean were both drafted by Philly last April. They all played together at the collegiate level. They are familiar with each other’s tendencies.
The jury is still out on both Davis and Dean. Carter has yet to take an NFL snap, but you have to admit. Having three Dawgs on the roster that enjoyed championship glory at the collegiate level will give us plenty to discuss all spring and summer.
So, what should the Eagles do? Should they draft Jalen Carter or not?
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Jalen Carter as the fifth-best prospect in this class. Then, he seemingly changed his tune and backed off of his theory to some degree. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Jeremiah expressed his true opinion on the former Bulldog and elevated him to the top spot.
There’s nobody better. He’s the best talent in the draft.”
If Jalen Carter falls and the Eagles are on the clock, they should absolutely take him. It is wise to draft the best player available, especially during instances where teams are selecting in the top ten. Carter would certainly be the best player available.
It’s easy to look into what has transpired these past couple of months, but it’s hard to ignore what is seen on tape. While drafting Carter would be a gamble to some, the NFL Draft is a crapshoot. Sure things are rare. There are certainly no guarantees, but Carter may be as close as they come.
