Eagles GM reveals why Jalen Carter will thrive in Philadelphia
Four months ago, no one would've expected Jalen Carter to last nine picks into the NFL Draft. He is this year's blue chip prospect on the field; an explosive interior pass rusher who will look the part the minute he steps onto the field. What happened with Carter in January 15 became one of the […]
Four months ago, no one would've expected Jalen Carter to last nine picks into the NFL Draft. He is this year's blue chip prospect on the field; an explosive interior pass rusher who will look the part the minute he steps onto the field.
What happened with Carter in January 15 became one of the stories of the draft. On the day of the NFL Scouting Combine, he was charged on with misdemeanor reckless driving and racing related to a fatal crash that left Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy dead. Carter pleaded no contest to both charges, accepting 12 months probation and 80 hours of community service among other concessions.
While Carter's character was put under the spotlight, the Philadelphia Eagles took the necessary steps in getting to know him. They weren't going to let him fall past their 10th overall pick, and even sacrificed a future fourth-round pick to get him.
The vetting process became huge for general manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles. What's already in the building became integral in his confidence about slotting Carter into the locker room.
"I think when we got to know Jalen, we just felt like here’s a kid that he does love football," Roseman said. "Obviously, he’s a winner. He won in high school, he won in college. We feel like we have really good people in this building. We have really good support staff. We have really good players who are good people. We have really good coaches. We felt like it was a good fit for us."
The affinity with Georgia players is well known by now. Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and Nolan Smith join Carter as former Bulldogs who now don the midnight green. Having familiar faces all around the 22-year old will be great in acclimating him to NFL life as he continues to move forward from the last few months.
"Obviously, it’s been a traumatic process for him throughout the spring. We understand that there’s a reason that he was available at 9. I think everyone will tell you this is one of the most talented players in the draft. This is one of the most talented players to come out of college football in a long time. Obviously, that’s part of what we’re talking about. We’ve got to develop the people. We’ve got to develop the player. I think for us, we take that part seriously.
"We think that it’s important that not only are we caring about people as players, but we want to care about the people. We’re going to wrap our arms around him and do the best we can to help him."
Much of a player's success is ultimately determined by the team who drafted him. Carter may end up becoming the steal of the draft because of where he landed: right where he needed to be.
