Eagles Wire shares pick analysis of Georgia DT Jalen Carter

‘Carter is versatile and can play on the edge, giving the Eagles even more depth and rotations.’

The Philadelphia Eagles gained some serious value by taking Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night.

Carter was widely considered one of the top, if not the best, prospect in the entire draft, but off-the-field concerns likely caused a drop down the board.

USA TODAY Sports’ Eagles Wire gave their analysis of Carter’s selection.

“There was talk of teams like Las Vegas taking Carter off their draft boards, but he lands with a gold-standard organization filled with solid veteran mentors. On offense, Carter will have Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and A.J. Brown, among others, to lean on. Defensively, he’ll be surrounded by solid and high-character veterans.”

The former five-star prospect is coming off an All-American season for the Bulldogs as an anchor on the defensive line, racking up 32 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior.

“Carter is versatile and can play on the edge, giving the Eagles even more depth and rotations.”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Watch: Georgia football team erupts to Jalen Carter pick in NFL draft

Here’s an awesome clip of UGA football reacting to Jalen Carter’s pick…

It was an eventful night for Georgia football on Thursday in the 2023 NFL draft: Three Bulldogs heard their names called.

First off the board was star defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was selected at No. 9 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The cameras were live in Athens as Bulldog teammates watched Carter take the next step.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Crj93AHOoDq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Offensive tackle Broderick Jones went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 14 pick, followed by edge rusher Nolan Smith, who was taken by, once again, the Philadelphia Eagles, who are rebuilding the Bulldogs record-breaking 2021 defense.

The Eagles now have former Georgia star defenders Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.

 

 

3 Georgia Bulldogs taken in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft

Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith & Broderick Jones are official pros…

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, offensive tackle Broderick Jones and edge rusher Nolan Smith were taken in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night.

Carter, who was considered one of the best prospects, fell to No. 9 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Apopka, Florida, native is coming off an All-American season for the Bulldogs as an anchor on the defensive line, racking up 32 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior.

Jones went next at No. 14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2022 first-team All-SEC selection didn’t allow a sack last season.

The Lithonia, Georgia, native is still young, 21, and has tremendous upside and athleticism to boot.

With the No. 30 pick, the Eagles dipped into the Georgia defense once again and selected Smith, who led the Bulldogs with three sacks and 16 quarterback hurries before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral versus Florida.

The Savannah, Georgia, native joins Carter and former teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in Philadelphia. Each were a part of the Bulldogs record-breaking 2021 defense.

We expect to see plenty of more Georgia players selected throughout the weekend. The second and third rounds will begin Friday at 7 p.m. ET with the fourth through seventh rounds starting at noon ET on Saturday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Georgia’s Nolan Smith selected in first-round of 2023 NFL draft

The Eagles take another Georgia defender, this time edge rusher Nolan Smith at No. 30 overall…

Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith was selected at No. 30 overall in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, joining former teammate Jalen Carter, who was taken by the Eagles at Pick No. 9.

Smith and Carter are the second pair of Bulldogs to head to Philadelphia off of the record-breaking 2021 Georgia defense following Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, who were drafted in 2022.

Smith was the unquestioned defensive leader during the Bulldogs back-to back national championship seasons.

The Savannah, Ga., native had 18 tackles and led the team with three sacks and 16 quarterback hurries before suffering a season ending torn pectoral versus Florida.

Smith wowed teams at the 2023 NFL combine with a 4.39 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 236 pounds.

 

That currently makes eight Georgia Bulldogs taken in the last two NFL drafts combined.

[mm-video type=video id=01gz2zr92bw565jkv6g1 playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2zr92bw565jkv6g1/01gz2zr92bw565jkv6g1-ff20e4c9480027c900198842a38c11c2.jpg]

Twitter reacts: Georgia OT Broderick Jones heads to Pittsburgh in 2023 NFL draft

Twitter is reacting to Georgia OT Broderick Jones becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler…

Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones was selected at No. 14 overall in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who traded-up for the selection.

Steelers faithful and Bulldog nation went to Twitter to give their take on the selection.

https://twitter.com/B_GNation1/status/1651774241568636929

Twitter reacts: Georgia’s Jalen Carter drops to No. 9 overall in 2023 NFL draft

Twitter reacts to Jalen Carter’s drop to No. 9…

Georgia football defensive lineman Jalen Carter was widely considered one of the top players in the 2023 NFL draft, but found himself without a home until the Philadelphia Eagles selected him with the No. 9 overall pick.

Football fans went Twitter to give their take after watching Carter drop to the ninth pick.

 

Georgia’s Broderick Jones selected in first-round of 2023 NFL draft

Georgia’s Broderick Jones goes No. 14 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL draft

Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones was selected at No. 14 overall in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who traded-up for the selection.

The 2022 All-SEC left tackle is coming off of a dominant season for the Bulldogs in which he did not allow a single sack.

Jones, who declared for the NFL after only his redshirt sophomore season, was one of the most impressive offensive lineman at the 2023 NFL combine.

Jones clocked a 4.97 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, the fastest of any offensive lineman.

Jones will join former teammate and 2022 draft pick George Pickens in Pittsburgh.

[mm-video type=video id=01gz2sevpy22f03k94as playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2sevpy22f03k94as/01gz2sevpy22f03k94as-7dd11cefb0b1550ae277a2673ea0ab35.jpg]

Georgia DL Jalen Carter selected in first-round of 2023 NFL draft

Jalen Carter goes No. 9 overall to the in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft…

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter was selected at No. 9 in the first-round of 2023 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Carter is coming off an All-American season for the Bulldogs as an anchor on the defensive line, racking up 32 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior.

The 6-foot-3, 300 pound Apopka, Florida, native is widely considered one of the most talented prospects in the entire draft and is poised to contribute right away in Philadelphia, where he joins former UGA teammates and 2022 draft picks Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean.

[mm-video type=video id=01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp/01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp-1c2d53f58ee0e0ad39769f9f34f70e31.jpg]

Several teams are considering trading up as high as No. 3 for Georgia’s Jalen Carter

Several NFL teams are considering trading up for Jalen Carter, per Jordan Shultz…

Georgia star defensive lineman Jalen Carter may go earlier than expected tonight in the 2023 NFL draft, which will kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

The Score’s Jordan Shultz reported several teams are considering trading up as high as No. 3 for the 2022 All-American.

Carter’s stock took a hit this offseason with legal issues, but it seems NFL teams aren’t afraid to make a move for Carter, who is widely considered one of the top prospects in the draft.

The Seattle Seahawks, who hold the No. 5 pick, are favored to take Carter.

[mm-video type=video id=01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp/01gz2qs6q850z9kh12jp-1c2d53f58ee0e0ad39769f9f34f70e31.jpg]

Todd McShay rips Georgia’s Jalen Carter: ‘He’s been a lot to handle’

Todd McShay doubles down on Jalen Carter’s ‘character concerns’…

ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has remained critical of Georgia star defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who is one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL draft.

McShay first made headlines in December stating there were character concerns plaguing the 2022 All-American.

“With Carter, there are some character issues. Does he get along with everybody. What’s he like to deal with in the locker room, those sorts of issues” McShay said on ESPN. “I know it’s early in the process, but I’m forewarning everybody out there. Carter is going to be a hot-button name when we talk about some of the intangible aspects of it. I think Pete Carroll (and the Seattle Seahawks) at No. 2, who has a long of history taking guys with questionable character and then developing them and having them work out, that would make a lot of sense to me.”

McShay seemed to be the only voice citing such concerns. Multiple Georgia Bulldogs rushed to Carter’s side on social media defending their teammate’s character.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman did a deep dive into Carter’s character in February and published a story that outlined how the former five-star prospect bought a UGA walk-on’s meals with his own scholarship money.

Carter’s legal troubles this offseason haven’t helped his case with McShay, who doubled down on his opinion of Carter this week on an episode of ‘Pardon My Take’.

“As good as Jalen Carter was and as important as he was in these last 2 years winning national championships, I don’t think there are a lot of people in Athens that are crying that Jalen Carter’s leaving town,” McShay said. “I think he’s been a lot to handle.”

McShay has Carter going to the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 overall pick during Thursday’s first-round.