Fletcher Cox says teammate 'probably' should've been No. 1 pick

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles' Fletcher Cox says teammate 'probably' should've been No. 1 draft pick

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/17/23

Philadelphia Eagles longtime defensive tackle Fletcher Cox has only been teammates with Jalen Carter for a few months but was immediately sold on the Georgia product when he saw him on the field.

During an interview on Tuesday with Jon Marks and Ike Reese on 94WIP, Cox described what it was like when he first practiced with Carter. Furthermore, despite Carter's well-known off-the-field concerns, the six-time Pro Bowler said that the former Bulldog "probably" should've been the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

Fletcher Cox on Jalen Carter:

"Wow, the first time I've seen him in team drills...and just seeing how strong the guy is. The way that he moves. You see why he was—probably should have been the number one pick in the draft. He's special and I'm glad that he's here." pic.twitter.com/ib0Dt3V1HD
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 16, 2023

Cox is likely nearing the end of his career, as the 32-year-old signed a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason to stay with Philadelphia. Cox has spent his entire career with the Eagles after being selected 12th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, racking up six Pro Bowl honors, one First Team All-Pro nod and a Super Bowl ring.

Carter, meanwhile, is just starting what he and Philadelphia hope will be a long, successful relationship. He was selected ninth overall by the organization in the spring.

Widely considered the top overall talent in the class of 2023, the fellow defensive tackle's draft stock dropped over the winter due to his involvement in a fatal January crash that took the life of a teammate and Georgia football staffer. An arrest warrant was issued for Carter in early March, and it was reported that he was present at the scene of the Jan. 15 crash and later provided "shifting accounts" of the incident to police.

The 22-year-old pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in March in connection with the crash and was given 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine, 80 hours of community service and an order to complete a driving course.

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