BREAKING: Eagles Trade Up to Select DT Jalen Carter at No. 9 Pick
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't want to wait. They traded up one spot from No. 10 to No. 9 with the Chicago Bears to select Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter in Thursday's 2023 NFL Draft.
The Eagles swapped the picks with Chicago while also sending away a 2024 fourth-round pick in order to move up.
Carter now joins an Eagles defense that features fellow Bulldogs Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. The Eagles saw Texas running back Bijan Robinson get selected at No. 8 by the Atlanta Falcons and appeared to not want Chicago to select Carter, evident by the trade.
Carter has "rare athleticism for his size with tremendous strength, explosiveness, and versatility," per NFL Draft Bible's scouting report. However, he has been clouded with controversy during the pre-draft process due to his involvement in a fatal street-racing accident in January.
You can view the full scouting report for Carter from NFL Draft Bible below:
The Georgia Bulldogs had an eye-popping five defensive players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, including first overall selection Travon Walker—an amazing feat! However, pro evaluators will be quick to point out that none were better than Jalen Carter. Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, the Bulldogs defensive tackle makes a living in the opponents' backfield. In fact, he has registered a whopping 47 quarterback pressures and six sacks over the past two seasons, more than any other player in Athens during that span. His versatility also bodes well, as Carter has been moved up and down the defensive line.
The Eagles will pick again in the first round at No. 30.
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