There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Howie Roseman did an excellent job of navigating the draft board and filling needs while finding excellent value.
Multiple moves made during the draft drew rave reviews, but the one that may have taken the cake came in Round 1. The Eagles made a trade with the Chicago Bears, sending the No. 10 overall pick and a fourth-rounder to Chicago in exchange for the No. 9 pick.
With that pick, Philadelphia selected Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. There were a lot of analysts and draft experts who believed Carter was the best player in this year’s draft class. However, some off-the-field issues impacted his stock negatively.
Carter was charged with racing in a fatal crash earlier this offseason to which he agreed to a plea deal. But his performance during his Pro Day was concerning as well as he struggled to get through drills.
It led to him slipping down the board, which the Eagles took full advantage of. He joins a defense loaded with former Bulldogs and can help fill the void left by Javon Hargrave departing in free agency, signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
What can the Eagles expect to get from Carter? He is very strong and knows how to leverage that to gain ground and the upper hand. His quickness is excellent, which helps him hit gaps to get into the offensive backfield. The balance he possesses while playing is also excellent and keeps him from getting knocked off his spot.
While there is a lot to like, there are some things Carter will have to work on. He plays too high at times, which makes it easier for the offensive lineman to block him. His pass-rushing production also leaves something to be desired. While Carter possesses the moves to get the job done, he needs some refinement in game planning for his pass rush.
Those are things the Eagles will certainly be able to help Carter develop during his career. He will have a ton of talented veterans to learn from, providing him time to learn and continue honing his skills.
