Jalen Carter will win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jalen Carter has received some buzz as a potential NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) candidate. 

I must say … I agree. And I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. 

We have all heard that Carter is the next Aaron Donald.

While that kind of praise might be a bit much, he will only need to be a fraction of that to run away with the award.

Your best bet to win DROY should always be a big-time pass rusher or shutdown corner. 

I’m not a fan of any rookie defensive back this year. 

I doubt Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon or Emmanuel Forbes will make enough noise to be considered for this award.

That means we can zero in on the pass rushers. 

Tyree Wilson and Will Anderson are deservedly close to the top of the odds board, but Carter is in the best situation. 

The Eagles are a smart organization with a good coaching staff, and they love developing players out of Georgia. Carter will be surrounded by former Bulldogs, potential mentors and good defensive line coaches. 

Plus, the Eagles are going to need Carter’s production. 

Philly will likely put Carter in a defensive line rotation with Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis, last year’s first-round pick out of Georgia. 

Cox’s production has decreased with age, and Davis will be used primarily on rushing downs. 

That will leave a lot of opportunity for Carter to eat against the pass in the middle of the best defensive line in football. He’s likely a replacement for Javon Hargrave, who had 11 sacks last year. 

And perhaps we’re missing the point. 

Carter was the best defensive player in the NFL draft.

He finished third among Power Five defensive players in Pro Football Focus’s grades, behind Devon Witherspoon and Jack Campbell but ahead of Anderson and Wilson. 

Carter forced a 14.4 percent pressure rate with Georgia last year, third nationally among Power Five interior linemen.

Carter has superstar potential and is in an excellent situation, a far cry from where he was expected to be taken.

His draft day slide, as a result of an arrest in connection with a crash that killed a Georgia teammate, give him a great spot to compete with the Eagles.

Most importantly, Carter fits the mold of a guy who could win Defensive Rookie of the Year – a prolific pass rusher stuffing the stat sheet with sacks.

Betting on the NFL?

The talent is there, the volume is there and the support staff is there. 

So, I’m betting Carter has a monster rookie year in Philadelphia.

The play: 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year – Jalen Carter (+800 at BetRivers)