For all the talk about Bijan Robinson and the 10th overall selection, the Philadelphia Eagles might end up having one of the best defensive linemen prospects fall to them without needing to worry.
When the 2022-23 college football season ended, the consensus was that Will Anderson and Jalen Carter were the two best prospects throughout the entire draft. Anderson was the consensus top overall selection for the last two years while Carter was seen as the best defensive line prospect for Georgia. Off-the-field problems and rising measurables from other talents have allowed the possibility for both Anderson and Carter to fall in the draft.
And that’s great news for the Philadephia Eagles.
Will Jalen Carter slide to the Eagles?
While Anderson is still seen as a sure-fire pick within the top five, Carter’s stock has fallen due to poor testing and concerns over a car accident that left a teammate dead and the surrounding charge that came with it. Even with that, the talent is there that should expect the Bulldog to go well inside the top-10.
Other teams ahead of the Eagles may not feel the same though. Todd McShay of ESPN reported Tuesday morning that the Seattle Seahawks (5th overall pick) would not be taking Carter and have turned their sights to Anthony Richardson.
Long-time Eagles executive and current Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham also left comments that the Georgia standout would not be the pick at #9.
“I think the more time you spend around him, the more you realize he’s a good player, but you get to know him more as a person. I think ultimately, where we feel we’ve made the best decision for us and our organization.”
If the idea of four quarterbacks goes in the top 10, as many analysts have suggested, Arizona takes Paris Johnson with the third overall pick, and Tyree Wilson goes ahead of Anderson to Houston as other rumors have suggested, then Anderson and Carter will be available when the Lions pick at #6.
Philadelphia would not only have an opportunity to add one of the two best defensive players in the draft but may not even need to trade up in the selection process to do so.
General manager Howie Roseman has always maintained the thought of being flexible on draft night. With a championship roster already at his disposal, it’s clear that the team can easily go with the best player available in their strategy.
Who that ends up being though will be up for debate. If the rumors are true, and the board falls a certain way, the Eagles could be one of the earliest winners on Thursday.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
