Last year’s dominant Georgia defense sent five players into the first round of the 2022 NFL draft after winning the national title, but the best of that unit might not have been eligible.
Jalen Carter, the consensus top defensive line prospect in the 2023 NFL draft class, was a disruptive force for the Bulldogs throughout last season, and has the potential to be a top-three pick next April.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently broke down Carter’s game, and found plenty of similarities between him and another recent top-three pick, New York Jets star Quinnen Williams:
These two have a similar frame/build and they both possess an explosive first step. I would give Williams a slight edge in the power department, but I believe Carter is more nimble and a smoother athlete. Like Williams during his time at Alabama, Carter finds a way to stand out on a college defense overflowing with NFL talent. Williams, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft, is an ascending force for the New York Jets, with 13 sacks and 73 pressures (by Pro Football Focus’ count) over the past two seasons. I believe Carter has the same upside.
After losing other big names on the unit like Travon Walker, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, the spotlight should be trained on Carter this season in what should be his final campaign at the college level.
If he lives up to the hype, he should be one of the first non-quarterbacks off the board in next year’s draft.
