DROY Odds: Jalen Carter is still the leading favorite to win the award
It’s been well-documented that Howie Roseman and the Eagles have loaded up with former Georgia Bulldogs on defense. As we’ve reached the halfway mark of the 2023 season, Jalen Carter has been a bulldog, quite literally, in the trenches wreaking havoc against opposing offensive lines.
The 9th overall pick of this year’s draft has been battling some injuries in his first season in the league, most recently suffering a back injury in Sunday’s win over Washington, forcing him to leave the game twice and ultimately not return.
He also missed Week 6 against the Jets due to an ankle injury. However, despite missing a game and some time against Washington, the talented defensive tackle remains the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and it’s not relatively close.
Jalen Carter still leads the field in DROY odds
FanDuel has the best price for Jalen Carter to win the award at -115 (For non-bettors, a $115 bet wins you $100).
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The next closest rookie, Seattle cornerback Devon Weatherspoon, is listed at +130. Of course, make sure to shop around on all the sportsbooks to get the best price possible.
Why Jalen Carter can win DROY
Dominating at the line
Jalen Carter, who many regarded as a potential first overall pick in this year’s draft if it wasn’t for some off-field issues, has rewarded his team and the front office of the Eagles for doing their due diligence in drafting him in the first round.
The defensive tackle has racked up 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the season. What doesn’t go down on the stat sheet is his relentless pursuit to the quarterback or ball carrier. He currently is ranked the 2nd highest-graded defensive tackle in the NFL (91.6) according to PPF. Carter is only trailing New York Giants’ defensive tackle who is graded at 92.4. Carter also ranks 5th in pressures with 28.
Rare Injury Update from Sirianni
The Eagles did receive good news yesterday regarding Carter’s current back injury after an MRI. The bigger question now is if and when Carter will practice this week.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni, who rarely discloses any type of injury update for his players, did provide some context:
“Jalen feels better today, I’ll say that,” Sirianni said. “And again, we want to get him out in the field to see where he is, but he feels better today. That’s a tribute to him getting in here and getting treatment and also our trainers.”
-Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni
The Eagles would certainly like to have Carter in the middle of that defensive line when the Dallas Cowboys come to Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday to put pressure on Dak Prescott after he led Dallas to a 43-20 rout over the Rams.
If for some reason Carter misses this crucial divisional clash, he should still stand firmly as the favorite to win the award heading into the Week 10 bye where he can rest up even more and close out what has already been an impressive rookie campaign.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
