Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been good as advertised this season, proving to be a valuable addition to his team as they pursue Super Bowl aspirations.
The 22-year-old was selected by the recent Super Bowl runners up with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, after spending two seasons of college football with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Upon being drafted, several outlets already predicted him to have standout rookie season, drawing comparisons with Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Here are three reasons why Jalen Carter will be the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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The Eagles have an elite defensive lineup
Carter benefits from elite edge-rushing talent beside him, with linebacker Haason Reddick on one edge and a combination of defensive ends Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham on the other.
With interior players like Jordan Davis, Fletcher Cox, or Milton Williams rushing alongside Carter, opposing offensive lines can't afford to double-team him because of the abundance of talent elsewhere on the defensive front.
As a result, Carter frequently finds himself in favorable one-on-one pass-rush situations, capitalizing on the attention drawn by his highly skilled teammates. This situation sets the stage for Carter to accumulate the impressive statistics.
Carter is a massive contributor to the Eagles' hot start
The Eagles currently boast the best record in the entire NFL with a 10-1 win-loss slate. They have secured victories against elite opponents, including a satisfying revenge win in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Carter has made a significant impact on those wins, amassing impressive statistics with 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks. Additionally, he has demonstrated his disruptive presence by forcing two fumbles on the field.
The former University of Georgia player has solidified his position as a key player on the Eagles' defensive line, providing them with a reliable presence.
Given that Cox, who has been a mainstay on the team is approaching the later stages of his career, Carter serves as a promising replacement who could anchor the defensive line for years to come.
The odds are with Carter
Carter has consistently held the position as the betting frontrunner to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award since the start of the season up to Week 12 of the NFL campaign.
Currently, Carter extended his lead as the favorite, being listed at -250 to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year in the latest odds at BetMGM Sportsbook.
In betting terms, -250 indicates that Carter is considered a significant favorite for the award, with bettors needing to wager $250 to win $100 on Carter's success in securing this year's Defensive Rookie of the Year honor.
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson is the consensus second best defensive rookie of the current class of newcomers, but he hasn't shined bright as the Eagles standout.
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