Jalen Carter "Very, Very Dominant" According to Eagles Teammate
While defensive tackle Jalen Carter was widely regarded as the most talented prospect in the entire 2023 NFL draft, a rocky pre-draft process contributed to Carter dropping to the Philadelphia Eagles at No.9 in the first round. When the Eagles drafted Carter at No.9 many draft analysts proclaimed the defending NFC champions had gotten a steal in the former Georgia star. According to one of Carter's new teammates, that assessment is proving to be quite accurate.
On his podcast "Big Play Slay," Eagles cornerback Darius Slay was effusive in his praise for the former Georgia defensive tackle, even relating a story of Carter's exploits on the practice field.
"Man, them Dogs, them Georgia Dogs, those two boys out there, them boys grown men," Slay said. "And I know y'all heard the report about Jalen Carter breaking the sled. I'm talking about, buddy is strong."
The five-time Pro Bowler went as far as to mention Carter's name alongside some of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in recent memory.
"I'm not going to compare him to who I want to compare him to, but I've been around a lot of great D-tackles. I've been around Suh, Haloti Ngata, Fletcher Cox himself, Javon Hargrave. You know, I've been around a great group of guys that played the D-tackle, man, and I'm trying to tell you here, Jalen Carter, man, this kid is just very, very dominant. He's very physical, quicker than what you think, and stronger than how he looks. He looks like a baby rhino. You ever seen a baby rhino? Man, he's just crazy. And I am talking about he's just pushing folks back."
Rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected with the No.9 pick in the 2023 NFL draft on on April 27.
Despite the fact that the Apopka, Florida native has yet to take a single snap in an NFL regular season game, Slay insisted the rookie defensive tackle already possesses the ability to single-handedly wreck offensive game plans and that his dominance will make life easier for Slay and the rest of the Eagles' defensive backfield.
You can ask Lane Johnson, man. Lane Johnson said it himself - one of the best tackles in the game - saying this guy is ready to play right now, ready to take control of a game right now. He's a game changer. I know y'all saw his first play against the Baltimore Ravens...quick off the line, quarterback hurry, almost got a sack, third down stop. That's what I need. That's a DB's dream. I'm not trying to cover long. So if they are doing their job good, my job is going to be good, so I know we kind of help each other off and on, but I want them to win way more than I have to win. I get tired fast. I've got to chase a lot of people. They go about two or three yards and have six hundred pounds on them. That's a really big problem, but six hundred pounds looks like no problem to him, I'm not lying. I've seen him get double-teamed in practice and he gets both of them off of him. He's just strong. And it's crazy that this man fell to a Super Bowl team last year
Carter will have his opportunity to live up to the hype when Philadelphia kicks off its 2023 season at New England on Sunday, Sep. 10.
