Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter PFF's Top-Graded First-Round Pick

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter continues to impress in his rookie season.

The debate may not be whether Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is going to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but if the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft takes home the award unanimously. 

Pro Football Focus revealed its grades for all 31 first-round NFL Draft picks through the first five weeks of this season. Carter earned a staggering 91.8 grade, the top mark among all rookie first-round picks. 

"Sunday was another excellent day for Carter as he racked up two sacks and a team-leading 78.4 pass-rushing grade," PFF wrote. "It’s the third time in five games he’s led his team in pass-rushing grade. Through five weeks, his 91.8 overall grade leads all defensive tackles and his 23 pressures tie for the lead with Aaron Donald. Carter is the clear favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year."

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is having a dominant rookie season.  / USA Today

The next-highest rated rookies were a pair of cornerbacks; Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots (80.8) and Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks (79.7). However, each has only played in four games, as Gonzalez suffered what's likely a season-ending labrum tear in Week 4 and Witherspoon and the Seahawks had an early bye in Week 5. 

Carter, meanwhile, had a dominant performance in a Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. On the season, Carter already has 12 combined tackles, four quarterback hits, four tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

And while it's rare to see a rookie in the race for an All-Pro spot, there is recent precedent as Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys earned First-Team honors in 2021, his first NFL season. The aforementioned Donald -- already a seven-time All-Pro -- would probably be the favorite right now to be one of the picks at defensive tackle, but Carter has impressed so much early on that he could play himself into being a legitimate candidate for the second spot on the First Team.