Eagles' Jalen Carter: People's Pick for Defensive Rookie Of The Year?

Could Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter win Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was voted by the fans as the people's pick for 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year according to NFL on FOX.

The Eagles rookie has been turning heads in training camp and the preseason with his impressive play. He has even drawn the compliments of future Hall-of-Famers like center Jason Kelce and offensive tackle Lane Johnson.

Your projected 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year is @Eagles DL Jalen Carter, as voted on by NFL on FOX fans! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/besoTx562G

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 31, 2023

Philadelphia drafted Carter, who some had as the best player in the draft, from the University of Georgia with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Eagles were originally going to pick 10th thanks to a deal with the New Orleans Saints, but traded the pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Chicago Bears to move up to No. 9 overall and draft him.

Carter spent three seasons at Georgia, recording six career sacks, 18.5 career tackles for loss and 83 career total tackles. He was a part of back-to-back National Championship teams at Georgia, anchoring the defense in two College Football Playoff title games. 

He is currently +550 to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, which is second behind Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. who is +430 to win it. Last year, the award went to New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. A defensive tackle hasn't won it since Aaron Donald won in 2014 with the St. Louis Rams. 

The Eagles and Carter will open their season on the road on Sept. 10 at 4:25 p.m. against the New England Patriots.