Georgia Bulldogs Jalen Carter was viewed as a can’t-miss prospect when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 9th overall in 2022. Ever since then, he’s lived up to the hype. It showed in the Eagles’ matchup against the Washington Commanders.
On Washington’s first play of their second drive, Jalen Carter bulldozed former Wisconsin Badger Tyler Biadasz and forced a fumble out of former Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. The fumble was recovered by former Georgia Bulldog Nolan Smith Jr. to give the Eagles great field position.
Jalen Carter has improved noticeably in his sophomore season with the Eagles. Despite only 4.5 sacks compared to 6.0 last year, Carter’s had more tackles for loss, more QB hits, and more passes deflected. He also has 48 pressures this season, according to PFF, ranking him eighth among interior defensive lineman.
Nolan Smith Jr. has also improved noticeably in his second season in the league. Last year, in his first season with the Eagles, he was used more as a rotational piece, but this year he currently ranks second on the team in sacks behind former Florida State Seminole Josh Sweat. He has 24 pressures, triple the amount of his rookie season, and seven tackles for loss.
