Tag: jalen carter

Texans need to keep tabs on Georgia DL Jalen Carter in the 2023 NFL draft

The Houston Texans need to keep in mind Georgia DL Jalen Carter if they are looking for a long-term answer at defensive tackle.

The Houston Texans’ historical identity is the defensive line. The organization should embrace it after 20 years of existence.

Even if the Texans weren’t a franchise known for its towering defensive line talent throughout the past two decades, the team still has to provide answers long-term. Maliek Collins is 27 years old and signed a two-year deal to remain with Houston. By the time Collins plays out his contract, he will be 30 years old.

Houston has to look at the future of defensive tackle.

According to Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL Network, a name to watch in the 2022 college season is Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter. The 6-3, 310-pounder provided the Bulldogs with 3.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 37 tackles, and a pass breakup in his 14 games last season for the eventual national champions.

As a pass rusher, he explodes off the ball and has the lower-body power to work through the edges of blockers. He has quick hands and a variety of moves, most typically winning with a club/rip, an arm-over or a counter. He is adept at getting blockers to lean one way before hip-tossing them to create a direct path to the passer.

Against the run, Carter is extremely disruptive and has phenomenal lateral range. He has burst when changing directions and his effort is excellent when it comes to chasing down plays. His lateral quickness is exceptional. He can drop his weight and easily anchor single blocks at the point of attack. He generates some “wow” moments in every game with his mix of athleticism and explosiveness.

If the Texans used a top-50 pick on Carter in next year’s draft, they would have him playing with Collins, who would be in the final year of his deal. By 2024, the Texans would have a stellar defensive tackle duo in Carter at the 3-technique and Roy Lopez at the 1-technique — and Carter would already have a full NFL season under his belt along with a full offseason in an NFL strength and conditioning program.

Collins may be the answer for Houston in the present, but Carter could be their dominant 3-technique through the end of the decade.

Georgia DL Jalen Carter draws Quinnen Williams comparison

See why Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter is drawing comparisons to a recent top-three draft pick

Last year’s dominant Georgia defense sent five players into the first round of the 2022 NFL draft after winning the national title, but the best of that unit might not have been eligible.

Jalen Carter, the consensus top defensive line prospect in the 2023 NFL draft class, was a disruptive force for the Bulldogs throughout last season, and has the potential to be a top-three pick next April.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently broke down Carter’s game, and found plenty of similarities between him and another recent top-three pick, New York Jets star Quinnen Williams:

These two have a similar frame/build and they both possess an explosive first step. I would give Williams a slight edge in the power department, but I believe Carter is more nimble and a smoother athlete. Like Williams during his time at Alabama, Carter finds a way to stand out on a college defense overflowing with NFL talent. Williams, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft, is an ascending force for the New York Jets, with 13 sacks and 73 pressures (by Pro Football Focus’ count) over the past two seasons. I believe Carter has the same upside.

After losing other big names on the unit like Travon Walker, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, the spotlight should be trained on Carter this season in what should be his final campaign at the college level.

If he lives up to the hype, he should be one of the first non-quarterbacks off the board in next year’s draft.

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Athlon’s preseason All-American teams include five Georgia football players

Five Georgia players made Athlon Sports’ preseason All-American teams.

Five Georgia Bulldogs were recently included on Athlon Sports’ preseason All-American teams.

The three Bulldogs who earned first-team honors should not be difficult to guess — tight end Brock Bowers, cornerback Kelee Ringo and defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Outside linebacker Nolan Smith earned second team honors. Safety Chris Smith made the fourth team.

Both Carter and Ringo are expected to be early picks in next year’s NFL draft and will be the leaders on Georgia’s 2022 defense along with outside linebacker Nolan Smith and safety Chris Smith.

Ringo, a redshirt sophomore and former five-star recruit out of Scottsdale, Arizona, recorded 34 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown that will go down as maybe the greatest play in the history of Georgia football.

Pro Football Focus recently listed its top ten defensive tackle prospects for the 2023 NFL draft, with Carter checking in at No. 1. A junior out of Apopka, Florida, Carter is coming off a season in which he recorded 37 tackles, 8.5 for a loss and three sacks.

Bowers will only be a sophomore next season but was surely America’s top tight end in 2021.

He was easily Georgia’s biggest offensive weapon last season and reeled in 56 catches for 882 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown en route to being named a member of the Associated Press and Coaches’ All-SEC First Team. His 13 receiving touchdowns are a single season record at UGA. He was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year.

Nolan Smith and Christopher Smith both opted to return to Georgia for their senior seasons and boost their draft stock.

Both played a huge role on Georgia’s 2021 defense and will look to do so again in 2022.

Nolan Smith recorded 53 total tackles, 8 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception and 3 forced fumbles last season and will be one of the league’s best pass rushers this fall.

Christopher Smith started the season with a pick-six against Clemson in a 10-3 victory and closed it with a nice showing against Alabama in the national title game.

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Three Georgia Bulldogs go in first round of 2023 NFL mock draft

Draft Wire projects three Georgia Bulldogs to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs had a school record five players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Could a similar number of Georgia players be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft?

Draft Wire projects, in a recent mock draft, that three Georgia Bulldogs will be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Georgia DT Jalen Carter (Syndication: The Indianapolis Star)

Luke Easterling of Draft Wire predicts Carter, arguably Georgia’s top interior pass rusher last season, will go at No. 5 to the New York Jets.

On Carter, wrote:

Even with all the Georgia defenders who went in the first round of the 2022 draft, Carter might be the best prospect of them all. He’s the kind of dominant interior presence who could be worthy of a top-five pick.

Next, Draft Wire projects national championship game hero Kelee Ringo to be selected with the No. 15 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Georgia DB Kelee Ringo (Syndication: The Indianapolis Star)

Ringo came to Georgia as a five-star recruit. He has immense physical talent and will be counted on as Georgia’s top cornerback throughout the 2022 college football season.

Ringo’s size-speed combination is something NFL draft scouts will love. The former Saguaro High School star additionally is not afraid to provide run support.

Easterling on Ringo:

This defense could use a shutdown, big-play corner to take advantage of their relentless pass rush. Ringo sealed the Bulldogs’ national title with an epic pick-six, and could bring more of the same to Vegas.

Lastly, Draft Wire expects Nolan Smith to be picked with the No. 25 selection to the Seattle Seahawks.

Georgia OLB Nolan Smith (John Reed-USA TODAY Sports)

Smith gave the Bulldog defense a big boost with his return for a senior season. Could he elevate his NFL draft stock like Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt did in their senior seasons?

Smith is a strong run defender, which will along him to compete for snaps right away at the next level.

Easterling on Smith:

The Seahawks landed one stud pass rusher this year in second-round pick Boye Mafe, but they could use another one next year. Smith may have been overshadowed by other superstars on the Bulldogs’ dominant defense last year, but 2022 will give him a chance to shine.

Among the other Georgia Bulldogs with the potential to be high picks in the 2023 NFL draft are tight end Arik Gilbert and offensive tackle Broderick Jones. This offensive duo is very talented, but needs to gain some experience before NFL teams will consider selecting either player in the first round. Their development will be critical for Georgia football in 2022.

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Texans pick Georgia DT Jalen Carter, Notre Dame OLB Isaiah Foskey in ESPN mock draft

The Houston Texans take Georgia DT Jalen Carter and Notre Dame OLB Isaiah Foskey in the latest ESPN mock for the 2023 NFL draft.

The Houston Texans go all in on defense in the first round of a new ESPN 2023 mock draft.

According to Matt Miller from ESPN, the Texans use their No. 3 overall pick to take Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Carter was arguably the best prospect on Georgia’s national title team in 2021 when you talk to scouts and watch his disruptive ability as an inside or outside pass-rusher. He’s built (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to produce from a 3-technique position and would make an instant impact in Houston.

Getting Carter would mean the club decided to move on Maliek Collins, who is slated to play the 3-technique in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme. The Texans would have a young tandem of defensive tackles in Roy Lopez, who would be entering his third season, and Carter.

Houston then uses the No. 23 overall pick obtained in the trade with the Cleveland Browns from the 2022 offseason to take Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame.

The Texans grabbed elite defensive tackle Jalen Carter earlier in this projection and now get him a running mate in the talented all-around end Foskey. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Foskey has a true 4-3 defensive end body but could still stand up and play in space because of his quickness. With 11 sacks and a whopping six forced fumbles last season, his numbers match his physical tools.

Although listed as an outside linebacker, the Texans would have Foskey put his hand in the dirt as a down lineman coming off the edge. If Houston went with Foksey, it could also signal that defensive end Jonathan Greenard did not live up to the expectations that warranted a second contract, and the Texans would be getting ahead of finding his replacement.

What the picks indicate is that Houston still believes in Davis Mills, even with the Texans picking No. 3 overall in Round 1.

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ESPN predicts 2 Georgia Bulldogs as top 10 NFL Draft picks

2 Dawgs named 2023 top-10 picks…

ESPN’s Matt Miller has released his 2023 NFL draft first round predictions and two Georgia Bulldogs have been included in the top-10 picks: Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and cornerback Kelee Ringo.

The Bulldogs just set an NFL draft record with 15 picks this spring, incluidng the No. 1 overall selection Travon Walker.

With Carter and Ringo both predicted to go top-10 by ESPN and being the No. 1 overall players at their respective positions by Pro Football Focus, the Dawgs could be in for another huge draft in 2023.

First up in Miller’s early mock draft is Carter, who is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans.

“Some might argue for a quarterback to restart things in Houston — and we’ll have to see how second-year signal-caller Davis Mills plays after a promising first season — but it wouldn’t be a surprise for general manager Nick Caserio to give Mills more time to develop. Mills is on an inexpensive contract and has yet to play with much offensive support, and the Texans aren’t close to competing in the AFC South.”

Sep 25, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores running back Rocko Griffin (24) for a loss during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

“Carter was arguably the best prospect on Georgia’s national title team in 2021 when you talk to scouts and watch his disruptive ability as an inside or outside pass-rusher. He’s built (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to produce from a 3-technique position and would make an instant impact in Houston.”

Next up is Ringo, who Miller expects to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 6 overall.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Head oach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

“With rookie first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett on the roster, the Steelers could look to improve in other places. Ringo had eight pass breakups and two interceptions on a loaded defense last season, and you might remember his clinching pick-six in the title game. If the 6-foot-2 corner can make plays without 10 future NFL starters around him, his coverage ability and physical traits will put him in the running for CB1 in this class.”

Miller also has Georgia transfer receiver, who is now at Alabama, projected as the No. 28 overall pick by the Detroit Lions.

Three Georgia Bulldogs go in first round of 2023 NFL mock draft

What Georgia players will be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft?

The Georgia Bulldogs had a school record five players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Could a similar number of Georgia players be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft?

Draftwire projects, in a recent mock draft, that three Georgia Bulldogs will be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. They expect Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter to go with the No. 3 pick of the draft. Carter was arguably Georgia’s top interior pass rusher last season.

Jalen Carter is currently considered the top-ranked defensive tackle in the upcoming NFL draft class. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Next, Draftwire projects national championship game hero Kelee Ringo to be selected with the No. 15 pick of the 2023 NFL draft. Ringo came to Georgia as a five-star recruit. He has immense physical talent and will be counted on as Georgia’s top cornerback throughout the 2022 college football season.

Ringo’s size-speed combination is something NFL draft scouts will love. The former Saguaro High School star additionally is not afraid to provide run support.

Lastly, Draftwire expects Nolan Smith to be picked with the No. 23 selection. Smith gave the Bulldog defense a big boost with his return for a senior season. Could he elevate his NFL draft stock like Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt did in their senior seasons?

Smith is a strong run defender, which will along him to compete for snaps right away at the next level.

Among the other Georgia Bulldogs with the potential to be high picks in the 2023 NFL draft are tight end Arik Gilbert and offensive tackle Broderick Jones. This offensive duo is very talented, but needs to gain some experience before NFL teams will consider selecting either player in the first round. Their development will be critical for Georgia football in 2022.

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Doug Farrar’s 2023 “Are you kidding me?” way-too-early NFL mock draft

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has put together a 2023 NFL mock draft — just after the 2022 draft. Don’t worry, there’s a point to this exercise!

There are those who will tell you that doing mock drafts for 2023 right after the 2022 draft comes down is the ultimate example of wool-gathering/navel-gazing/clickbaiting, and just generally a useless exercise. After all, there’s so much we don’t yet know about how the boards will stack based on the 2022 NCAA season. Had the quarterbacks in the 2022 draft been available on their 2020 tape alone, Sam Howell (fifth round to the Washington Commanders) probably would have gone first, and Kenny Pickett (20th overall to the Steelers) — who had never thrown more than 13 touchdown passes in a season before 2021 — might not have been drafted at all. We also don’t know who will be this year’s Pickett, Zach Wilson, or Joe Burrow — the guy who comes out of nowhere to become a legitimate first-round talent.

You just never know how things are going to pop.

That said, working ahead to the next draft is an interesting and instructive if you take it from the point of view of what NFL teams did in 2022, and where things might need to be bolstered next year. The Giants and Eagles, for example, have created excuse-proof situations for Daniel Jones and Jalen Hurts, and we aren’t sure how that’s going to go.

(Spoiler: In this 2023 mock, both teams select quarterbacks in the first round. So, there you go).

There are other teams who are in the middle of full-on rebuilds, and looking ahead to 2023 brings about ideas of how those teams can fill in the remaining blanks.

So, with all that out of the way, here’s my 2023 mock draft. Positions are based on Pro Football Focus’ projections for the 2022 NFL season, and I used their awesome Mock Draft Simulator to keep everything straight.

Where are Georgia Bulldogs ranked for the 2023 NFL draft?

Georgia is having a historic 2022 NFL draft. UGA also has a lot of talent eligible for the 2023 draft.

The University of Georgia is in the midst a historic, record-breaking 2022 NFL draft, that saw the Bulldogs break a program-record for players taken.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs don’t rebuild though; the Dawgs reload. Georgia has an immense amount of NFL talent on its roster.

Georgia should have a lot of players selected early in the 2023 NFL draft. The 2023 NFL draft class features some impressive quarterbacks like Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Additionally, Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. is expected to be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick.

Player rankings rise and fall throughout the college football season and new stars emerge, but oftentimes a way-too-early NFL draft prediction is not terribly inaccurate.

Where are Georgia Bulldogs ranked for the 2023 NFL draft? There are seven UGA players ranked in the top 100.

CBS Sports on Georgia football’s biggest question mark this offseason

What’s Georgia’s biggest concern for 2022?

Last season, Georgia had what may be considered the best defense in the history of college football. And it all started up front with a stacked defensive line that featured plenty of NFL talent.

Led by Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, Devonte Wyatt and Jalen Carter, Georgia’s big men were the catalyst for a defense that gave up an average of 10.2 points per game last season.

But looking ahead to 2022, only one of those players mentioned, Carter, returns this fall.

Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports recently posed what he thought was the biggest question for every SEC football team as we approach the midway point of spring practice.

For Georgia, Sallee’s question centered around that defensive line:

How deep can the defensive line be this season?

The Bulldogs defense was historically dominant last season, but multiple key players from the national champs are gone — particularly along the defensive line. Jalen Carter, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound monster, should be the talk of the town after showing flashes of stardom last season alongside departed monster Jordan Davis. Carter has the skillset to be a top-tier NFL draft pick in 2023 and needs to step up in the middle of the defensive line. Devonte Wyatt, a 315-pound monster as well, is also off to the NFL after seven tackles for loss a year ago, which will put even more pressure on coach Kirby Smart to build the depth that championship-caliber teams need to win at an elite level.

Co-defensive coordinators Will Muschamp and Glenn Schumann have replaced Dan Lanning, who took the head coaching gig at Oregon in the offseason. Their first order of business will be developing talent up front.

Just to show you how good Georgia’s line was last year, the Bulldogs may have three of its linemen selected in the first round of this year’s draft.

Walker is seen as a potential No. 1 overall draft choice, but that may just be more hype than reality right now. Davis should certainly be a first rounder and so should Wyatt.