'Baby Rhino': Just How Good Can Jalen Carter Be?

Jalen Carter Has Potential to Be One of the Best

Four weeks into the 2023 NFL regular season, Jalen Carter has been a massive point of pride for Philadelphia Eagles fans. The team, in general, has managed to stay undefeated, but has had some potentially concerning issues in games many were confident about going in.  The offense passing game and Hurts have struggled at times, and the secondary has been a bottom 10 team in passing yards allowed this season. However, the Eagles’ defensive line has been arguably even better than advertised and has honestly carried the struggling units of the team at times. Carter is the number one player on that stacked line and his presence has taken the unit to a level even higher than where they already were. He has been beyond impressive, but how special is Jalen Carter now and how impactful can he be in the future?

Statistical Performance Through First Four Weeks

On a surface level, Carter’s stats may not reflect the impact he has had on the team. Carter has just 1.5 sacks, with eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. However, according to PFF, Carter was the highest-graded interior defender in the league as a rookie. He has 20 pressures in just 104 pass-rushing snaps which is the top pressure rate in the league for defensive tackles. Not just his pass-rushing, but his run-defending has been excellent as well. He has enough power to take on and move offensive linemen one-on-one but has also shown an ability to squirm through the tiny gaps on zone run plays. He often makes the running back change their course, leading them right into the lap of other Eagles defenders. While he may not always get the tackle or sack, his presence is apparent for the other team throughout games.

What Makes Jalen Carter so Great?

It seems simple why Carter is so great because it is. Carter didn’t get the nickname, “Baby Rhino” for nothing. He has an unbelievable blend of strengths, explosiveness, and quickness, as well as a relentless motor. Carter’s first step and quickness are exemplary in how he can shoot the gaps in the run game and make havoc in the backfield. He is slightly undersized for a defensive tackle, and his overall quickness more than makes up for it by being able to shake offensive linemen off balance and close out with his pass-rush move. But the most surprising thing about Carter’s skillset is an uncanny amount of power and strength. Against the Washington Commanders, one rep showcases his ability to just throw defenders out of his way to the quarterback instantly.