Eagles rising star gets surprise spot among ESPN's top 100 NFL players

Ryan OLeary

Eagles rising star gets surprise spot among ESPN's top 100 NFL players image

In early August, just as the first NFL preseason games are set to kick-off, the league captures the news cycle with its annual Top 100 List. The release always produces great fodder among fans and analysts alike, because the list is polled and 100 percent voted on by the players themselves. 

The Philadelphia Eagles are oozing with talent entering the 2024 regular season. NFL players ranked five Eagles — QB Jalen Hurts (15), WR A.J. Brown (21), RT Lane Johnson (41), RB Saquon Barkley (86) and WR DeVonta Smith (90) — on this year’s Top 100 list, and that’s not including some snubs like 2023 selection Darius Slay.

ESPN put out its own projections for the NFL’s top 100 players in 2024 on Monday. The Eagles had six total players make that list, including a surprise selection on defense.

Joining the five aforementioned Eagles players on ESPN’s list was second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 100 overall. The former Georgia star is projected to rack up six sacks and 44 total tackles in 2024.

Here's what NFL analyst Tim McManus had to say about Carter in the writeup:

Carter burst onto the scene as a rookie last season, generating 3.5 sacks in his first five games. He cooled off over the second half of the season but left little doubt that he has All-Pro potential. He's been a handful to block all offseason, offering promise that a bust-out season lies ahead in 2024. 

Multiple analysts are expecting big things out of Carter this season. Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com recently released his All-Under-25 Defensive Team, ranking the best defensive players in the NFL under the age of 25 entering the official start of the 2024 regular season. Carter was mentioned among Dajani’s first-team selections.

Carter showed a natural ability to get to the passer during his rookie season. According to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats, Carter defeated his blocks within 2.5 seconds on 16 percent of his pass rushing snaps.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

Veteran O-lineman among Eagles’ first roster cuts

Jahan Dotson trade: What are the Eagles getting in new receiver?

Saquon Barkley welcomes fellow Penn State alum Jahan Dotson to Eagles

New Eagles pass rusher getting rave reviews in training camp

Eagles have found a gem in late-round 2024 NFL Draft pick

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.