The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. That means they will be able to select one of the best players in the draft class.
Because of how quarterbacks get drafted, it is possible they could land the No. 1-rated player in the draft.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his first version of the top 50 prospects in the 2023 draft and sitting at number one is a player often projected to the Cardinals in mock drafts.
His top player is Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Carter is a highly disruptive player with the versatility to line up at any position along the defensive front. Against the pass, he has an explosive first step and understands how to work through the edges of blockers. He jars opponents with his initial strike before clearing his hips and closing in on the quarterback. He has the change-of-direction ability of a player 40-to-50 pounds lighter. He can use pure power to run through single blocks and possesses the quickness to split double teams. Against the run, he is firm and strong at the point of attack and has the range to make plays on the perimeter. The only negative is that he ends up on the ground a little too much. Overall, Carter is a real difference maker and must be accounted for on every snap.
Carter’s statistical production is a question mark. He had only three sacks at seven tackles for loss in 2022. He had three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2021, both of Georgia’s championship seasons.
With a top-five selection, it makes sense to get a stud interior defensive lineman who doesn’t have to come off the field on passing downs and can put up large pressure and sack numbers.
Can Carter be that? That is the question.
Jeremiah certainly thinks so.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
