Why Jalen Carter was the Missing Piece for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL draft saw the Philadelphia Eagles make a game-changing decision by selecting Jalen Carter as the 9th overall pick. While many speculated on why the Chicago Bears passed on Carter, it was the Eagles who saw him as the missing piece to their already strong defensive line. GM Ryan Poles of the Bears explained that their team culture couldn’t handle the potential distraction that Carter might bring, leading them to trade the pick to the Eagles. What Poles didn’t mention was that the Eagles had a solid foundation with veteran leadership and a support system of Carter’s former Georgia Bulldog teammates. This ‘dry cement foundation’ was crucial in allowing the Eagles to take a calculated risk on Carter. With his former teammates providing inside information and a sense of family, the Eagles felt confident in making the bold move. The 2023 NFL draft marked a turning point for the Eagles, as they secured Jalen Carter, the defensive tackle who could be the missing piece to their championship puzzle.