For the Eagles, the top priority this season is something that hasn’t been addressed in quite some time. The saying “defense wins championships” becomes more of a factor this weekend against the New England Patriots. The one guy who could be at the echelon of that defense and very much an X-Factor in this Week 1 matchup is defensive tackle, Jalen Carter.
The rookie showed off his skills in the very first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. We can bet that we are in for what could be an explosive season. It also means he will open some eyes. The Eagles’ defense and their defensive coordinator Sean Desei can put pressure on a quarterback. He could be a game-changer and the possible replacement for Javon Hargrave the Eagles needed.
Scouting Report
According to NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report of this year’s NFL Draft about Carter:
“When assessing a player’s draft grade, we take into consideration areas like traits, toughness, explosiveness, skill level, potential for growth and positional projections. Across the board, Carter checks out in a big way…Based upon talent, traits, and projection, Carter appears ready to step into the NFL and become a productive three-down talent with Pro Bowl potential.”
For offenses facing Jalen Carter, they are going to be seeing more pressure and this could become a quarterback’s worst nightmare. So good luck to anybody trying to stop him this year and that is why he could become one of the all-time greats wearing Eagles Green.
Could Baby Rhino Get 10 Plus Sacks?
Darius Slay recently compared rookie Jalen Carter to a baby rhino because Carter sometimes doesn’t understand his own strength. Double-digit sacks are asking a lot.
Javon Hargrave is widely considered one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL and he finally got over that barrier last season in his seventh season. Since sacks became an official stat in 1982, there have been just four rookie defensive tackles to get 10+ sacks. The last one was former Eagle Ndamukong Suh, who had 10 in his rookie season in 2010.
Aaron Donald had 9 in 2014, Chris Jones had 6 in 2013, and Fletcher Cox had 5 1/2 in 2012. That is some of the best pass-rushing interior defensive linemen in NFL history and they didn’t get 10+ sacks in their rookie seasons.
James Scorza is a Co-Host of the Pattison Ave Phanatics on Edge of Philly Sports. James attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He loves Sports and Music and has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Philadelphia Sports. He may be young but is knowledgeable beyond his years.
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