Jalen Carter is a ridiculous athlete who was used in so many different roles across the Georgia defense. He’s played up, down, 1-tech, 3-tech, 5-tech, and stunted all over the defensive line very effectively.  There’s not a lot of negative attributes to his game, and the ones listed on this report are really just nitpicking. He’s a complete prospect and has a very high floor. I think that he has a chance to be a perennial all-pro player. 

I don’t think there is a ton of upside to Carter’s game, personally. I don’t see all that much he can really improve. He will, in very small increments, and increase his ability on the field, but right now I just don’t see a ton of upside within his ability. 

The RG doubles Jalen Carter with the RT and thinks “he’s got this” and works inside to pick up the LB (which the C had), but the RT was not good… And there goes Jalen Carter – back to the QB and gets the sack.

He demands double teams at all times. NFL stud. pic.twitter.com/65xpKerbmX

— John “Draft” Vogel (@DraftVogel) August 30, 2022

Carter dealt with an undisclosed injury throughout the 2022 season. 

Jalen Carter’s scouting report

Athletic Ability (45)

Athleticism: 15 

• Speed (6.5/7) – Ridiculously athletic. Very quick, very fast, rangy athlete. Shows some decent bend to work with his speed as well. 
• Lateral Quickness (7.5/8) – Very laterally quick. Moves on offensive linemen in ways that you wouldn’t expect a man his size to move. 

Strength/Power: 20 

• Upper Body Strength (6/7) – Very strong upper body. Excellent arms strength, generates a lot of raw power. 
• Lower Body Strength (6.5/7) – Crazy lower body drive. Incredible lower body strength. 
• Brute Power (4/6) – Has a lot of brute to his game due to the power he’s able to build up and generate with his athleticism. 

Explosion/Burst: 10 

• First Step Burst (3.5/5) – Good, not great, first step. Struggles to time his first step with the snap at times. 
• Explosion (4.5/5) – Very explosive athlete. Shows it as he gets off, generating a ton of power. 

Lineman Mechanics (20)

Containment: 10 

• Double Team Consistency (4/5) – Needed to be doubled a lot in college – but played on such a deep and talented defensive line in 2021 that he got a ton of 1v1 opportunities. 
• Double Team Win (4/5) – Flashed the ability to win double teams. 

Hand Technique: 10 

• Hand Placement (4.5/5) – Uses his hands well and gets good initial placement. Can swim through traffic to dodge blockers. Does a great job using his hands to neutralize leverage. 
• Hand Strength (4.5/5) – Very strong hands. Absolute clubs when attacking a blocker. 

Defender Ability (30)

Tackling/Pursuit: 15

• Tackling Ability (7/8) – Solid tackler. Wraps up well. Punishes players. Smart with hitting quarterbacks. 
• Space Defending (2/3) – Capable space defender with his tackling ability, range, and closing quickness. 
• Pursuit Angles (3.5/4) – Very rangy, will routinely pursue plays to the boundary. Relentless motor. 

Instincts: 10 

• Recognition (4/5) – Shows good recognition for the most part. Can sniff plays out quickly and start moving that way to impact the play. 
• Natural Instincts (4.5/5) – Shows good natural instincts, understands the game and concepts very well. 

Pass Rush Ability: 5

• Pass Rush Consistency (4.5/5) – Very consistent pass rusher. Will impact the quarterback two-to-three times a game. 

Overall: (87) – Top 5