Jalen Carter was the initial first-round pick to sign his rookie deal.
Before the season, the former Georiga All-American manifested huge goals, and through three weeks in Sean Desai’s system, he’s on his way toward a triumphant affirmation.
Carter wants to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and heading into a Week 4 matchup against Washington at Lincoln Financial Field, the defensive tackle has staked his claim to that award and a potential Pro Bowl and All-Pro nomination.
We’re tracking Carter’s path to winning the award from now until Week 17, and ahead of Sunday’s game against the Commanders, it’s Carter’s award to lose.
Top hopefuls
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass under pressure from Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
DT Jalen Carter–Eagles
CB Christian Gonzalez — Patriots
Edge rusher Will Anderson –Texanns
CB Juju Brents –Colts
LB Ivan Pace Jr. –Vikings
DB Brian Branch — Lions
Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu –Chargers
CB Emmanuel Forbes –Commanders
CB Devon Witherspoon –Seahawks
1. Jalen Carter
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Breadman has been domiant, logging 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and five total tackles (two of them for a loss) during his first three games.
Jalen Carter finished with a team-high 5 pressures on 16 pass rushes in the @Eagles Week 3 win over the Buccaneers (31.3% pressure rate).
Through the first three weeks, the rookie is tied for 2nd among defensive tackles in total pressures (15).
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/ApgxE6bLEX
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 26, 2023
Carter ranks seventh in pressure percentage among 195 qualified pass rushers (minimum 36 pass rush snaps) with a 20.5 percent rate.
The Eagles drafting Jalen Carter is unfair ???? pic.twitter.com/OijhrUZaV2
— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2023
2. CB Christian Gonzalez
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
A rookie starter for New England, Gonzalez has started in the first three games of the season and has 16 total tackles, one sack, one interception and three passes defensed. In the season opener vs. Philadelphia, Gonzalez sacked QB Jalen Hurts for an 8-yard loss in the fourth quarter for his first career NFL sack. Gonzalez recorded his first NFL interception in the fourth quarter in Week 2 against Miami when he picked off a deep pass by Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa intended for Tyreek Hill.
The former Oregon star is the only rookie with a pass defensed in each of the first three weeks of the season.
Gonzalez has allowed only 10 catches for 102 yards and 0 touchdowns while matched up against AJ Brown, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson and others.
Rookies of the Month! (September)@CJ7STROUD | @chrisgonzo28 pic.twitter.com/02JKZwexsC
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2023
3. Edge rusher Will Anderson --Texanns
(Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
The rookie pass rusher has transitioned well from the SEC to the AFC South, and Anderson is among the NFL’s best at every major category accept sacks with just one.
Anderson has logged five quarterback hits (14th), and according to Next Gen Stats, Anderson is tied for the sixth most pressures (16) with Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. Anderson is also second in pass rush win rate (33.3%) — behind only Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons (40.4%).
4. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu --Chargers
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
The younger brother of Eagles’ defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, Tuli has been a welcomed sight in Los Angeles for the Chargers.
Tuipulotu’s 12 pressures over the last two weeks are tied for fourth in the NFL, according to TruMedia. That’s one more than Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa and Trey Hendrickson and one fewer than T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby.
The rookie from USC logged nine pressures in the Chargers 28-24 win over the Vikings.
5. CB Emmanuel Forbes --Commanders
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In the blowout loss to Buffalo, Forbes played 28 snaps on defense, with 16 coming in coverage.
The rookie from Mississipi State was thrown at three times, allowing three catches for 34 yards, including one first down.
6. DB Brian Branch -- Lions
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) tackles Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
With C.J. Gardner-Johnson out, the former Alabama hybrid defensive back has flourished in multiple ways.
In Detroit’s most recent win, Branch finished with 11 tackles (all solo), three tackles for a loss and two passes deflected, becoming the first NFL defensive back with at least 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and two passes defended in a game since 1994 according to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy.
According to PFF, Branch is tied for 15th in the league among corners with three pass breakups and leads the position in stops — defined as a tackle that constitutes a “failure” for the offense — with six.