Jalen Carter outshines entire 2023 NFL Draft class with a dominant Week 1 performance vs. Patriots

Jalen Carter was phenomenal in his NFL debut with the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots. 

The hype surrounding Carter turned out to be true as he looked every bit like the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft on Sunday. Carter notched eight total pressures and seven quarterback hurries, the highest marks across the entire NFL in Week 1. Carter also managed to drag down Mac Jones on a beautiful sack in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Eagles. 

Jalen Carter’s First Career NFL Sack

Jalen Carter vs. New England Patriots 

• 34 pass rushing snaps
• 8 total pressures (most in NFL)
• 7 hurries (most in NFL)
• 1 sack
• 25% pass rush win rate (5th highest in NFL)

To put that into perspective, Carter’s eight total pressures against the Patriots was the most by any rookie defensive tackle in a game over the past 5 seasons. 

Jalen Carter was a game-wrecker in his NFL debut. Eagles probably don’t win without him. pic.twitter.com/gXDDWZ09oW

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 12, 2023

Top 5 Defensive Performers From NFL Week 1 (Per PFF Grades)

• Edge TJ Watt: 94.4
• DL DeForest Buckner: 92.5
• DL Jalen Carter (R): 92.1
• DL Quinnen Williams: 90.2
• LB E.J. Speed : 94.8

Obviously, Carter slipping to No. 9 overall and landing in Philadelphia was really because of some previous off-the-field issues in college. He was widely considered to be the best defensive talent in the 2023 draft class.

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Other teams who decided to pass on Carter have their fans taking to social media to share their disgust. Most notably, would be Chicago Bears fans, who watched their team get destroyed by Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. 

Bears Fans in Shambles for Passing on Jalen Carter

Bears fans/media are very upset about not drafting Jalen Carter. pic.twitter.com/eLx3ygZgCq

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 12, 2023

Jalen Carter on First Career NFL Sack

Asked Jalen Carter about his third down sack — the first of his career.

He was all smiles. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/Hfeih4x1f4

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 11, 2023

The future is bright for Carter and the rest of the young talent on the Eagles’ defense. Quick turnaround for the Birds. Home opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.

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