FOX Sports gives Eagles fans another reason to bet on Jalen Carter for award

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter is looking like he is taking the same career path as former lineman Aaron Donald, which makes sense that Carter could be up for a big award at the end of the 2025 season.

FOX Sports shared the betting odds for who has the best chance of winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. Carter is tied for ninth with Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.

"Carter had a breakout campaign in 2024 and was one of the main reasons why the Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, but could he have an even better season in 2025? A top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Carter had 42 total tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2024. He also had 53 total pressures, the ninth-best mark among all defensive linemen, per Pro Football Focus, so it’s reasonable to think that Defensive Player of the Year contention is in Carter’s future."

Can Carter claim the biggest award on defense in 2025?

It has been an impressive first two seasons for Carter after the Eagles selected him ninth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Carter was a runner-up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2023 and was a Pro Bowl selection as well as a second-team All-Pro selection in 2024.

The biggest strength of Carter's game is that he can use his mammoth strength to shred blocks in pass-rushing situations and get to the quarterback. There aren't many defensive tackles who can do it better than him.

Last week, Carter was voted the third-best defensive tackle in the NFL, behind Dexter Lawrence II and Chris Jones. Carter's focus this offseason has been to make sure he can be on the same level as those guys in the next year or two.

One of the most fascinating aspects surrounding Carter in the offseason has been the topic that he has not yet fully grasped the defensive line position. That means that he is only going to get better, which at age 24 is a scary thought.

The Eagles' young defense has some question marks surrounding it, which will mean more will be expected of Carter in 2025 to step up and be the superstar many think he can be. His raw talent already suggests that, with some development, he could become a future Hall of Famer.