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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Tracking Jalen Carter’s path to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award entering Week 5

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 four weeks in Sean Desai’s system, he’s on his way toward a triumphant affirmation.

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Carter wants to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Rams and Aaron Donald at Sofi Stadim,  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 Rams, it’s Carter’s award to lose after the Christian Gonzalez injury news.

Top hopefuls

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Carter continues to make an early DROY case after logging five pressures against Washington per PFF.

The No. 9 overall pick has two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, eight tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits, while leading all rookie NFL defensive tackles in pressures.

Carter’s 92.2 season-long grade leads all defensive tackles.

2. Edge rusher Will Anderson --Texans

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson has 11 tackles, one sack, 8 stops, 8 QB hurries, 13 total pressures and 4 QB hits on the season.

He’s continuing to improve and will battle Carter down to the final week.

3. CB Christian Gonzalez

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Gonzalez was a front-runner for the award prior to leaving New England’s loss to Dallas with a torn labrum.

4. Devon Witherspoon, CB--Patriots

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The first-round pick entered the discussion after his massive performance against the Giants on Monday Night Football.

Witherspoon logged two sacks, seven tackles, three QB hits, and a highlight reel 97-yard pick-six off Daniel Jones during a 24-3 victory over the Giants.

The former Illinois cornerback allowed a 44.8 passer rating while in coverage and he’s now the second-highest-graded cornerback of Week 4.

5. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu --Chargers

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Chargers 2023 second-round pick has stepped up in a big way due to injuries among the edge rushers. Through four games, Tuipulotu has 2.0 sacks, four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.

6. CB Emmanuel Forbes --Commanders

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Forbes received his welcome to the NFL moment during his intense matchup with A.J. Brown in Week 4.

The Eagles All-Pro had 9 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns while matched up with the rookie cornerback.

7. DB Brian Branch -- Lions

Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Branch has been the best rookie defennsive back in the league flourishing as a safety and one of the top young slot corners in the NFL.

Per TruMedia, Branch leads all defensive backs in true stops (14), and his run defense has been stout.

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