Eagles ace round one, continue to pick from the Georgia tree

The media was quick to type “Philadelphia Bulldogs” after the Philadelphia Eagles were gifted perhaps the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Those posts would continue 21 picks later. For the second time that night, the organization once again picked a player that stemmed from the Georgia tree.

Eagles vice president/general manager Howie Roseman displayed a masterclass performance from the board room last night. He selected two guys who were high on their board despite being at each end of the round. The Eagles entered round one with two picks (No. 10 and No. 30) and used both to bolster their defense following key departures in free agency. Georgia DT Jalen Carter slipped to No. 9 and Roseman was quick to make a trade with the Chicago Bears to secure his guy. All it took was the No. 10 pick and an additional 2024 fourth-round pick. 20 picks later, Eagles’ brass would once again select a Georgia defenseman. This time, it was EDGE Nolan Smith.

Both players had been connected to the Eagles throughout the entirety of the draft process. What’s incredible is that their connections with the team were at No. 10. No one would have thought that Smith would fall into the Eagles’ lap at No. 30.

Smith’s fall was the reason the Eagles decided to stay at No. 30 and make the pick. Roseman was fielding multiple calls from teams that wanted to move back into the first round, but he eventually decided to stay put.

“We were fielding calls at that time, and I think Coach and I kind of looked at each other like this is the guy. We didn’t want to get too cute, and we’re excited to add him,” Roseman said.

Roseman’s willingness to work the phones and yet resist them at the same time ultimately landed them top players at great values. He continued his rebuild of the excellent 2021 Georgia defense, one that powered the team to winning the National Championship. Following their victory, top players Jordan Davis (Round 1, Pick 13) and Nakobe Dean (Round 3, Pick 83) were selected by the Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft. The selections of Carter and Smith were reminiscent to the ones of Davis and Dean in last year’s draft. Now, the Eagles hold four members of the championship winning defense. Taking from the Georgia tree seems like a good strategy, and their hopeful it will prove so in the future.

“Just like at Georgia, you know the goal. Confetti falling on our head. Championships,” Roseman said to Carter on the phone after selecitng him.

Best NFL Draft 2023 Available Prospects After Round One

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