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NFL Draft rumors: Philadelphia Eagles insider has Howie Roseman selecting All-American defensive lineman in first round

Matt Higgins — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 19:36:34 +0000

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles have become one of the best franchises in the league as general manager Howie Roseman follows a simple principle — building the team from the lines out. And because of that approach, the Eagles boast one of the top offensive and defensive fronts in the NFL.

On the offensive side of the ball, four of their five starters are homegrown in Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson. They parted the seas for Saquon Barkley in his historic 2024 season where he became just the ninth running back of all-time to rush for 2,000 yards. All four linemen have been a Pro Bowler or a first- or second-team All-Pro selection.

On the other side of the ball, three out of the last four first-round picks have been defensive linemen in Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith. Carter has emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in the game, accumulating 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles while earning second-team All-Pro honors. Smith, meanwhile, rebounded from a disappointing rookie season, tallying 6.5 sacks in 2024.

With free agents Josh Sweat (edge rusher) and Milton Williams (defensive tackle) likely to find paydays somewhere else, a team insider believes the Eagles will address the defensive line once again in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Team insider predicts Philadelphia Eagles will draft All-American

Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena predicts the Eagles will take Ole Miss All-American defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the 32nd overall pick.

“Nolen’s frame (6-3, 300 pounds) is similar to Williams’ (6-3, 290), and Nolen also has versatility in where he can position himself along the line of scrimmage. The majority of Nolen’s snaps in 2024 were within the interior (432) but he logged a significant sum at defensive end (130), according to Pro Football Focus,” Kubena reports. “After spending his first two seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen flourished into an All-American game-wrecker at Ole Miss, amassing 6.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries while being named a finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best interior lineman in college football.”

Over 35 college games, Nolen collected 11.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. At the NFL combine, Nolen ranked second among defensive tackles in production score, 18th in athleticism score, and second overall in total score, according to Next Gen Stats.

“Nolen has NFL-starting size but won’t blow you away with his physical traits. However, he gains quick advantages with his explosiveness into contact and ability to beat up blockers when singled up. He has the athletic talent to play into gaps but needs to play with better hands to keep himself clean at the point of attack. He wins as a rusher with his athleticism and play strength, and doesn’t need to be schemed for,” writes NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. “The pass rush still requires refinement, but he already flashes quick-win moves that foreshadow good pressure and sack production as a pro. Nolen’s blend of explosiveness and playmaking talent create high upside as a three-down interior lineman.”

The Eagles currently have $22.6 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, so it seems more likely they’ll look to upgrade the defensive line through the draft rather than making a big free-agent splash. They’ve already committed significant resources elsewhere, giving Barkley a record-breaking extension one year into his deal to make him the first $20 million-a-year running back, while bringing back All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun on a three-year, $51 million deal.

Under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Nolen could develop into a star. He also won’t be overworked, benefiting from Philadelphia’s proven defensive line rotation system — a perfect environment for a young talent to flourish while learning from established veterans.

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From Patrick Mahomes to Saquon Barkley: Six Super Bowl 59 stars set to shake up card market

Matt Higgins — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 23:04:52 +0000

Credit: PWCC Marketplace

The football card collecting community will be intently watching Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles to see which players’ cards to invest in. Here are six players whose cards could skyrocket following Sunday’s game.

6 Super Bowl Players Whose Cards Could Climb

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Credit: PWCC Marketplace

Not only is Patrick Mahomes one of the best football players in the game today, he is also one of the most collectible players in the hobby. Mahomes is already a three-time Super Bowl champion and could become the first quarterback to lead his team to a three-peat. According to CardLadder.com, Mahomes’ cards have seen a value increase of 12.48% over the past month. If he wins again, expect that to climb.

Most valuable Patrick Mahomes card: 2017 Panini National Treasures NFL Shield Rookie Patch Autograph 1/1, graded BGS 8.5, sold for $4.3 million.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce

Credit: Goldin

Travis Kelce saw an explosion in the hobby over a year ago thanks to dating pop superstar Taylor Swift. Kelce’s cards have seen a value increase of 3.54% over the past month. That will soar higher if the Chiefs win Sunday and capture Kelce his fourth career Super Bowl.

Most valuable Travis Kelce card: 2013 Panini National Treasures Rookie Signature Materials NFL Shield 1/1, graded BGS 9.5, sold for $23,400.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy

Credit: eBay

Xavier Worthy exploded onto the scene his rookie season with the Chiefs, scoring two touchdowns in his debut game. Overall, he had 59 receptions for 638 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns. His rookie cards are already selling for thousands of dollars. That will only increase if he has a memorable Super Bowl performance.

Most valuable Xavier Worthy card: 2022 Bowman University Gold Vinyl Autograph 1/1 Superfractor sold for $5,200.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

Credit: Goldin

Jalen Hurts is playing in his second career Super Bowl and facing Mahomes and the Chiefs again. Hurts played an outstanding game in the Eagles’ heartbreaking 38-35 Super Bowl LVII loss. Now, he’s looking for revenge. Since establishing himself as one of the best QBs in the game, his cards have climbed in value by 17.72% over the last month. If he captures his first championship, those values will soar even higher.

Most valuable Jalen Hurts card: 2020 Panini Prizm Black Finite 1/1 Rookie Card, graded BGS 9.5, sold for $144,000.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley

Credit: eBay

In his first year with the Eagles, Saquon Barkley had one of the greatest seasons ever for a running back: he rushed for 2,005 yards (eighth all-time in a single season), scored 15 total touchdowns, was named first-team All-Pro, and won the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year Award. Barkley’s cards have climbed in value by 20.26% over the last month. If the Eagles win and he’s named Super Bowl MVP, his cards will skyrocket.

Most valuable Saquon Barkley card: 2018 Panini National Treasures Rookie Shield Auto 1/1, graded PSA Authentic, sold for $19,101.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter

Credit: eBay

Jalen Carter has become one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the game in just his second season, earning second-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. Several of Carter’s rookie cards have already sold for $1,000, and if he has a big game Sunday, they will climb even higher.

Most valuable Jalen Carter card: 2023 Panini National Treasures Rookie Shield Auto 1/1 sold for $2,024.

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Philadelphia Eagles could be shorthanded for Super Bowl 59 as illness sweeps through team

Matt Higgins — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:14:23 +0000

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

An illness is running through the Philadelphia Eagles’ locker room at the worst possible time as they prepare for Super Bowl 59 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Eagles tackle Lane Johnson told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mike Sielski that “four or five” players are battling the flu or flu-like symptoms.

“It was going around before we even left Philadelphia,” Johnson said.

The illness has already impacted key players. All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter was limited in Wednesday’s practice but returned as a full participant on Thursday. Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Quinyon Mitchell missed Wednesday’s media availability due to laryngitis.

According to Sielski, some team officials have been wearing masks as a precaution. Monday’s crowded Media Night at the Superdome may have created additional exposure risks for virus transmission.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Pro Bowl offensive linemen full participants in Thursday’s practice

Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Despite the illness concerns, the Eagles received encouraging news on the injury front. Center Cam Jurgens and guard Landon Dickerson were full participants in Thursday’s practice, alongside All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun (groin), tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle), and running back Kenny Gainwell (concussion/knee).

Thursday's Injury Report#SBLIX pic.twitter.com/rLjHTPW6Pp
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 6, 2025

Defensive end Brandon Graham (elbow) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were limited participants. Graham, who tore his triceps in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams, confirmed he will play in the Super Bowl.

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Lawsuit: Georgia staff knew of drinking at events, impermissible cash payments

Sportsnaut — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 20:24:53 +0000

Credit: Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

An amended court filing in the case of a former Georgia football recruiting analyst seriously injured in a crash a year ago contends staff members frequently drove vehicles rented by the school’s athletic association after drinking.

Additionally, attorneys representing the woman said coaches spent money on recruits during unofficial visits, against NCAA rules.

The bombshell accusations were part of a report Thursday from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reviewed court papers filed in the case of Victoria “Tory” Bowles, the survivor of an accident that killed a fellow member of the recruiting staff and a Bulldogs football player.

She is suing the Georgia Athletics Association, as well as the estate of Chandler LeCroy, who was killed in the Jan. 15, 2023 crash, and Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Carter. Carter pleaded no contest to racing and reckless driving in March after being linked to the accident. He was sentenced to probation and community service.

LeCroy was driving a rented SUV when the vehicle veered off the road and hit two power poles and several trees.

LeCroy was killed, as was Devin Willock, a Georgia offensive lineman. Toxicology reports showed LeCroy had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197 percent — nearly 2 1/2 times the Georgia limit — when the SUV she was driving was traveling 104 mph.

“My client’s iPhone survived the crash fully intact and contains thousands of pages of recruiting texts describing the inner workings of UGA’s recruiting activities,” Bowles’ attorney Rob Buck said in a statement to the newspaper. “The new texts included in the Amended Complaint establish that the Association was fully aware recruiting staffers were regularly allowed to drive recruits and their families around Athens after drinking alcohol at Association sponsored events.”

A university official said the school is prepared to fight the allegations.

“We are reviewing the amended complaint, but we dispute its claims and will vigorously defend the Athletic Association’s interests in court,” said Steven Drummond, a Georgia executive associate athletic director, per the newspaper.

The filing includes text messages purportedly from Bowles’ phone that discuss school staff members drinking at football-related events, including one at head coach Kirby Smart’s house, warning them not to consume too much alcohol.

“Hey guys… if you are driving you can have fun at Coach Smarts but if you are driving a recruit make sure you don’t get drunk,” read one text message from 2019, reportedly from a staff member. “It will be a bad look if we have people who are supposed to be driving recruits getting lit.”

Bowles’ amended lawsuit also touches upon what she alleges was a practice of coaches and staff paying for a recruit’s expenses during unofficial visits, which is not permitted.

“Ms. Bowles was aware from her own observations and from prior communications from her superiors of UGA football coaches’ use of cash in recruiting activities involving unofficial visits prior to that evening,” the filing reads, per the Journal-Constitution.

Since filing her initial lawsuit last summer, Bowles was fired from her job. In her case, she is seeking nearly $200,000 for medical bills, lost wages and unspecified damages.

–Field Level Media

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NFL’s top 10 breakout players in 2023, including C.J. Stroud, Sam LaPorta and James Cook

David Kull — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 01:44:00 +0000

Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts to escape the grasp of Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

At the beginning of each NFL season, experts like to predict who will be the “breakout” players.

Players who qualify as a “breakout” typically are younger players — in their first, second, or third seasons — who either show significant improvement over the previous season or become an unexpected contributor who has a profound effect on the team’s success.

Also Read:: Top 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates: Sam LaPorta making major late-season play

It’s fun to look at the preseason “breakout” lists to see what actually came to fruition. Much of the time, the players who truly break out weren’t considered. And that’s often what makes them breakout performers.

Introducing the breakout players

Here are our top 10 breakout players in reverse order, with apologies along the way to a few candidates who narrowly fell short.

10. Jalen Carter, Eagles DT

Some media outlets had Carter listed as the top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his draft stock dropped due to his involvement in a fatal street racing incident and his poor conditioning for his pro day.

But the Eagles grabbed the Georgia product with the No. 9 pick and have watched him become one of the game’s dominant interior defenders, with five sacks and two forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, he has 42 pressures and is the highest-graded player among the first-round draft picks.

9. Nico Collins, Texans WR

Collins’ teammate, rookie Tank Dell, could have easily made this list at the same spot or higher. But Dell suffered a broken fibula in Week 13 and was lost for the season. At the same time, Collins continued to produce as the primary target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The third-year pro out of Michigan is on pace to double the output from his previous two seasons, setting career highs in receptions (60), receiving yards (1,004) and touchdowns (6). Collins missed last week’s game against Tennessee, but he’s made enough of an impact in 12 games to merit a place among the top breakout players.

8. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns LB

The Browns’ defense, under the guidance of coordinator Jim Schwartz, has been the NFL’s best for the majority of the season, and much of their success can be attributed to the improved play of Owusu-Koramoah, who’s become one of the league’s most versatile defenders.

Schwartz uses him in variety of ways — whether he’s on the line, in the box, at safety, in the slot, or even outside as a corner — and he’s delivered big plays all over the field.

While he was injured for much of his first two seasons, Owusu-Koramoah has played every game in 2023 and leads the team tackles (84) and tackles for loss (18) to go with 3.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and four passes defended. He’s the sixth-highest graded pass rusher among linebackers in the league.

7. James Cook, Bills RB

Cook put on a show for the Bills in Week 15 with a career-best 176 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns, one through the air, in Buffalo’s dominant win over Dallas.

His 968 rushing yards are second to only the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey. The second-year player out of Georgia will no doubt double his rushing total from a year ago (507), and he’s soon to become Buffalo’s first 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2017.

But more importantly, Cook has become the featured back that Buffalo has needed to take the burden off quarterback Josh Allen to carry the offensive load with his feet and his arm. There were other running backs good enough to be included among the breakout players (like De’Von Achane and Jahmyr Gibbs, for instance), but none has had the impact of Cook over an entire season.

6. Puka Nacua, Rams WR

Talk about a player coming out of nowhere. Nucua, a fifth-round pick out of BYU this past April, quickly adapted to the Rams’ offense and started hauling in passes with regularity, beginning in Week 1.

After his first two NFL games, Nacua had 25 receptions, becoming Matthew Stafford’s favorite target with Cooper Kupp out with an injury.

Through Week 15, Nacua is solidly among the NFL leaders with 87 catches for 1,163 yards and four touchdowns.

5. Justin Madubuike, Ravens DT

No team has sacked the quarterback than the Baltimore Ravens, and no Raven has terrorized quarterbacks more than Madubuike.

The fourth-year player out of Texas A&M as been as big a force as any defensive tackle in the NFL, even one named Aaron Donald. Madubuike leads the Ravens — and all NFL defensive tackles — with 12 sacks, more than doubling his previous high of 5.5 a year ago.

He is also second in QB hits (30) to only the 49ers’ Nick Bosa (33). There’s only one defensive player listed higher among the breakout players, but not by much.

4. Sam LaPorta, Lions TE

LaPorta is the latest in a line of great tight ends out of Iowa (George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are a few others).

But LaPorta, a third-round pick of the Lions, has made them all proud during a fantastic rookie season. He is fourth among all tight ends in receptions (71), fourth in receiving yards (758) and first in touchdown receptions (9).

He is well within striking distance of the all-time touchdown record for rookie tight ends at 12, set by Mike Ditka in 1961. If you are on the cusp of a record-setting season, as LaPorta, it means you belong on a list of breakout players.

3. DaRon Bland, Cowboys CB

Again, record-setting seasons earn inclusion on this list. And Bland, a second-year player out of Fresno State, established a new NFL record with his sixth pick-six, a record he set in front of a national TV audience on Thanksgiving Day.

Sure, he intercepted five passes a year, but nobody could have predicted not only the league-leading eight picks, but a pick-six record as well.

Although he’s been torched in coverage a few times, once for three touchdowns by DK Metcalf, the overall his interceptions and big-play ability cannot be ignored, and that’s why he ranks so high on this list of breakout players.

2. Kyren Williams, Rams RB

Williams, a second-year player out of Notre Dame, has been a revelation for the Rams, and because of Williams, they are among the NFL’s most dangerous teams with the playoffs looming.

Williams has been the very definition of an impact player in the Rams’ offense, which has scored an average of 33 points over their past five games. He’s missed time due to injury, but still ranks fourth in rushing yards (953), and first in rushing yards per game (95.3), three yards ahead of Christian McCaffrey.

Williams, who has 11 total touchdowns, has helped make everyone better around him, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, and with Williams in the backfield, the Rams are rolling at the right.

1. C.J. Stroud, Texans QB

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick last April, has been a franchise quarterback from the moment he took his first snap in Week 1.

The Ohio State product has lit up opposing defenses during one of the seasons for a rookie quarterback in NFL history. While a concussion will reportedly sideline him for a second game Sunday, Stroud has been on pace to set rookie records for most passing yards and most touchdown passes in a season.

He’s already established record for most passing yards in a game and most passing attempts to start a career without an interceptions. Stroud answered any doubters about how good he might be, and he’s more than earned the top spot on this list of breakout players.

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Top 10 players to watch in 49ers-Eagles showdown, including Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts

David Kull — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 17:17:36 +0000

Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) signals while over center against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles doesn’t lack for star power.

The 49ers-Eagles matchup features multiple All-Pro players on both sides of the ball, and each one will play a key role in determining which team eventually wins this regular-season battle for NFC supremacy.

With so many great players flying all over the field, which ones require the most attention? To answer that question, one thing to keep in mind is the weather.

It’s expected to be wet and sloppy at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, placing an extra premium on ball security. The team best able to adapt to the rainy conditions could be the one that walks off the field with a victory.

While there are no wrong choices, here’s at least one list of 10 players – five from each team — who should be spotlighted.

1. Brock Purdy, 49ers QB

For 49ers-Eagles, you have to start with the quarterbacks. And in Purdy’s case, he returns to the field where he injured his throwing elbow only eight minutes into the NFC Championship Game, when Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick hit his arm as he was attempting to throw a pass.

Purdy needed offseason surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament, but he returned in time for the start of training camp. Since then, other than a three-game blip in which he threw five interceptions in three losses, the second-year pro has put together an MVP-caliber season.

What would have happened if Purdy hadn’t gotten hurt in January? Would that have made a difference? We’ll never know if Purdy could have led them to a Super Bowl, but on Sunday, we’ll hopefully get to see a full game with Purdy leading the 49ers offense.

2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB

After last week’s come-from-behind win over Buffalo, Hurts further solidified himself as the favorite in the MVP race. Forget that he is the 12th-rated passer. The stat that matters most is the team’s winning percentage, and Hurts — for better or worse — had guided the Eagles to the league’s best record at 10-1.

While Hurts has rallied Philadelphia in the second half in each of the past four weeks, it might be too much to ask him to do the same thing against the 49ers. Against the Bills, Hurts went 4-for-11 passing for 33 yards and an interception in the first half before going off in the second half and overtime period.

Hurts has turned ball over 13 times this season — with 10 interceptions and three lost fumbles — while the 49ers lead the league in interceptions (15) and are second overall in takeaways (22). With wet conditions Sunday, Hurts will need to play a complete, mistake-free game for the Eagles to come out on top.

Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. Lane Johnson, Eagles RT

Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowl tackle, missed last week’s game against Buffalo with a groin injury. But he’ll be back for Sunday’s matchup — just in time to to face one of his biggest challenges of the season: 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.

Bosa will line up over Johnson, who is rated among the best one-on-one offensive tackles in the NFL. But with a tender groin, will Johnson be able to hold off the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who has five sacks over his past three games? The Johnson-Bosa battle could be the matchup of the game.

4. Deebo Samuel, 49ers WR

If the Eagles are game-planning to remove one weapon from the 49ers offense, the focus will be on Christian McCaffrey. And if that’s the case, there will be openings for other 49ers weapons to do some damage. That’s where Samuel comes in.

Samuel is among the league’s most explosive players. Even if Deebo hasn’t come close to matching his output from 2021, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous with the ball in his hands, whether he’s coming out of the backfield or he’s split wide. Kyle Shanahan is smart about finding opening spaces for players like Samuel. And if the Eagles successfully take away McCaffrey, Shanahan will unleash Deebo. Expect that to happen Sunday.

Also helping Deebo’s placement on this list is his trash-talking, literally speaking. And he’s already made it clear that he’s not about to retract his words about Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, calling him “trash.”

5. Haason Reddick, Eagles LB

Reddick is another player who rates high on this list not only for his impact on the game, but also for his chippiness this week.

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Eagles pass rusher Hasson Reddick says the #49ers did alot of “crying” and a lot of “what ifs” after they lost to the Eagles in the conference championship last year, via @SportsRadioWIP

Some 49ers fans feel the outcome of that game would’ve been much… pic.twitter.com/Esp8KHN5f1
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 27, 2023

On the field Reddick is a menace off the edge, with 8.5 sacks. He’ll be matched against 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz, who isn’t quite as good as the guy on the left side of the 49ers line, Trent Williams.

And as mentioned earlier, Reddick knocked Purdy out of the game last year, leading to the Eagles’ dominant 31-7. There’s no doubt he’ll be trying to do the same thing again Sunday.

6. Fred Warner, 49ers LB

If you watch enough 49ers games, you can’t miss Warner. The All-Pro inside linebacker makes plays all over the field, whether he’s stuffing a run or dropping back in coverage and making a play downfield.

Given Hurts’ propensity to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet, Warner will be tasked with monitoring Hurts’ activity out of the backfield. Warner has tremendous closing speed for a linebacker, and it will be important for to make sure Hurts doesn’t take advantage of any gaps in the 49ers’ defense.

7. Jalen Carter, Eagles DT

When defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed with the 49ers in the offseason, the Eagles needed another game-wrecker inside, and they found one in Carter, whom they selected with the ninth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Carter, at 6-foot-3, 314 pounds, is nearly impossible to block at times, and he could have his way with the interior of the 49ers offensive line. He’s a big reason why the Eagles have one of the best run defenses in the league, and he is capable of collapsing the pocket in front of Brock Purdy at any given time.

8. Jake Moody, 49ers K

The 49ers rookie kicker, a third-round pick out of Michigan, has been fairly consistent all season. He’s made every PAT kick, and he’s hit 17-of-20 field goal tries.

But two of his three misses came in a 19-17 loss to Cleveland, including a 41-yarder that would have won the game, but it was wide right.

That game was played in rainy conditions, as Sunday’s game is likely to be. The game could come down to Moody’s right leg in the final seconds. The question is, will he be able to knock it through?

9. A.J. Brown, Eagles WR

Brown has been the Eagles’ big-play receiver all season. While former Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith gives Philadelphia game-changing ability from the outside as well, Brown is fourth in the league in receiving yards and has seven touchdowns.

Typically, the way to beat the 49ers is through the air; the 49ers are 12th against the pass. Brown, who’s surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four of his five seasons, has torched the 49ers’ secondary in the past. As a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2021, he caught 11 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.

If the 49ers are able to neutralize the running game, Brown will get his opportunities to hurt the 49ers downfield, where San Francisco has rookie Ji’Ayir Brown playing safety in place of All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, who’s out for the season.

10. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers RB

You can’t have a list of the top 10 players to watch in the 49ers-Eagles game without McCaffrey, the 49ers’ do-everything back. He might be the best player on the field Sunday, and as mentioned earlier, he’s the one player the Eagles will look to stop.

McCaffrey is not only the NFL’s leading rusher, but also the leader in touchdowns with 16. Given the NFL record for consecutive games with a TD that he tied earlier in the season, McCaffrey is good for nearly one touchdown per game.

Shanahan will do everything he can to spread the ball around to his other weapons (Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, etc.), all in an effort to give McCaffrey some space to run. But regardless of everyone else the 49ers will throw at them, the Eagles know their path to victory starts with McCaffrey and keeping him out of the end zone.

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Eagles DT Jalen Carter ‘feels better’ after back injury

Sportsnaut — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:20:05 +0000

Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles may have avoided a major setback with the health of one of their best defensive players.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is doing better one day after suffering a back injury against the Washington Commanders.

“Jalen feels better today,” Sirianni told reporters. “Again, we want to get out on 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.”

Carter, 22, was the ninth overall pick in April’s NFL draft after the Eagles traded up to select him. He had one tackle and one quarterback hit in Sunday’s 38-31 win over Washington.

In seven games, the Georgia product has 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six QB hits and two forced fumbles.

The Eagles (7-1) host the Dallas Cowboys (5-2) for the first of their two annual meetings this Sunday.

–Field Level Media

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Eagles CB Darius Slay, DT Jalen Carter iffy for Sunday

Sportsnaut — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 19:19:54 +0000

Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles could be without two key defensive starters Sunday against the host New York Jets.

Cornerback Darius Slay is dealing with a knee injury and rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter reportedly sprained an ankle during practice this week.

“If he does have to miss this week, we don’t anticipate it being a long-term thing,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Slay on Friday.

ESPN reported the injury to Carter, adding that the first-round pick’s status for Sunday’s contest is “in question.”

Slay has not practiced this week and Carter missed Thursday’s session as the Eagles (5-0) prepared to face the Jets (2-3).

Slay, 32, has 25 tackles and one interception (a 70-yard pick-six in Week 1 at New England) in five starts this year. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has 27 interceptions in 156 games (146 starts) with Detroit (2013-19) and Philly.

Carter, 22, has registered 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in five games. He was the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Georgia.

–Field Level Media

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Eagles sign first-rounder Jalen Carter, add TE Dan Arnold

Sportsnaut — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:16:04 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter became the initial first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to agree to a contract, signing a four-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement calls for Carter, the ninth overall pick last month, to receive a guaranteed deal worth $21.8 million.

Carter and Georgia teammate Nolan Smith were chosen in the first round by the Eagles, who drafted another former Bulldog, Jordan Davis, in the first round in 2022.

Philadelphia agreed to terms with two other draft picks: Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee and Texas defensive tackle Moro Ojomo.

The Eagles also announced they’ve agreed to terms with tight end Dan Arnold, who caught nine passes for 135 yards with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Arnold, 28, also has played for the Panthers, Saints and Cardinals in six NFL seasons with 11 career starts. He has 95 catches for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.

Making it official

We've signed DT Jalen Carter, QB Tanner McKee, and DT Moro Ojomo.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/sQcDKsMn5D

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 4, 2023

Carter was rated No. 1 overall on multiple draft boards entering the NFL Scouting Combine before character and accountability concerns surfaced. Carter left the combine to turn himself in to police in Georgia for drag-racing in an incident that police said caused a fatal crash. Devin Alex Willock and staff member Chandler Louise LeCroy were killed in a car crash after street racing against Carter, according to Athens police.

“We understand that all these players – they need to be developed,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “They’re coming into the league at a very young age. They’re not finished products. I think all of us, when we’re 21 or 22, hopefully, have grown a lot from that time. And you just really want to get to know the person and what’s in their heart. And I think when we got to know Jalen, we just felt like here’s a kid that does love football.”

Roseman said the Eagles spent hours looking into all of their highest-ranked prospects and the team’s security director looked into multiple players and incidents, according to the team.

–Field Level Media

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Report: Eagles’ Jalen Carter agrees to 4-year, $21.8M deal

Sportsnaut — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:56:55 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter became the initial 2023 first-round draft pick to agree to terms on an NFL contract, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Per the network, Carter and the Eagles reached agreement on a four-year deal worth a fully-guaranteed $21,806,184. All contracts involving first-round selections include a fifth-year team option. He was the No. 9 overall pick in last week’s draft.

Carter, 22, was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and led Georgia to back-to-back College Football Playoff championships.

He totaled 83 tackles (18.5 for loss), six sacks and two forced fumbles in 38 career games with the Bulldogs.

–Field Level Media

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