Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter will hear his name called early in this year’s NFL draft.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Carter rated No. 1 overall among prospects on his 2023 Big Board.
Carter has a chance at making history as the second consecutive No. 1 overall pick for Georgia after defensive lineman Travon Walker secured the honor in the 2022 draft.
NFL.com recently released Carter’s extensive draft profile ahead of the NFL combine scheduled to take place Feb. 28–March 6 in Indianapolis.
Grade: 7.11 (highest in draft)
NFL Comparison: Jeffery Simmons
Overview: 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. However, his maturity will need to be vetted by each team as they make their evaluations. The tape shows a defender with odd- or even-front versatility and a rare blend of first-step quickness and leverage through contact. He’s capable of finding quick wins against sloppy guard play and finishes the play once he’s in the backfield. His hand usage can be violent or subtle, but the feet are always active and searching for an opening. 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.
Strengths: Outstanding lean muscle mass with proportional structure.
Rockets out of stance and into premium position off the snap.
Step-and-swim move creates upper hand to bypass guards.
Accurate, compact hands keep him in ready position to handle business. Holds the point during lateral engagements to monitor both gaps.
Weakness: Could use a little more mass against NFL guards.
Loses momentum when swapping power with true heavyweights.
Neutralized by the size/strength of Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence in 2022.
Tank ran out of gas in College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State.
More strengths and weaknesses here.
