NFL DRAFT PROFILE: Jalen Carter DT/Georgia

By
Walter Stringer
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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Jalen Carter

  • Position: DT
  • School: Georgia
  • Class: Junior
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 310

Background

  • A former 5-Star recruit out of High school
  • Recorded 12 Sacks and 64 tackles as a senior
  • Second Team All-SEC (2021)
  • National Champion (2022)
  • Under Armour All-American

 

Strengths

  • Quick and powerful hands at the point-of-attack
  • Impressive athleticism and first step for his size
  • Has a strong anchor, plays with a solid base, and can hold up at the point
  • Displays uncanny instincts in the run game can shed blockers and locate the ball in a hurry
  • Play strength is legit and has a mean bull rush, keeps his hands inside, and routinely gets Guards off balance in pursuit
  • Agility and short area quickness are outstanding, closes ground and gaps quickly
  • Disruptive interior pass rusher that lives in the opponent’s backfield
  • Versatility along the line as Carter can pressure the QB from multiple gaps
  • Good ability to see through blocks and stay in tune with what’s going on in the backfield

 

Weaknesses

  • Lateral mobility is a concern! Has straight line speed but range wise will struggle to make plays on the backside from time to time
  • Virtually unblockable one-on-one, but once he sheds, he has a tendency to get caught up in traffic too often for a talent with his feet and agility
  • Out of 172 defensive snaps so far this season only 50 were in run defense which may draw concerns as to whether or not Carter can hold up in a 3-4 heavy scheme.

 

Overview

Jalen Carter from an overall interior dominance standpoint is the most talented defensive tackle I’ve seen coming out of college since Chris Jones in 2016. He possesses a rare combination of size/athleticism/power that makes him a nightmare to gameplan for considering he can show up over center, 1-tech, or 3-tech, and at the next level. I can even see him getting pass-rush snaps at the 4 and 5 as well. Carter’s just that impressive of an athlete on the field! He’s a real difference-maker on the inside and creates a lot of opportunities for his teammates to make plays. While I do believe Carter has some value within a 3-4 odd, I believe his best situation could be lining up at 3-tech in a 4-3, or 2i in a 4-6.   

 

 

 

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