After months of mock drafts, visits, and rumors, the 2023 NFL Draft is officially set to kick off tonight at 8 p.m. ET in Kansas City, Missouri. The reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles have six picks in the draft, including two in the first round (Nos. 10 and 30). This is the second-straight year that the Eagles possess two first-round picks. Last year, Philadelphia used one of their picks to move up for former Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and sent the other pick in a trade with the Titans for star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Nevertheless, at Total Sports Live, we have you covered with our Eagles-centric draft tracker. The tracker will provide readers with the latest news and analysis on who Philadelphia is taking throughout the three-day event. Will Philadelphia take Bijan Robinson with the 10th overall pick, or will they stick to their motto and upgrade the trenches?
Round 1, Pick 9 (via CHI): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
For the second-straight year, the Eagles moved up in the first round for another Georgia defensive lineman. Philadelphia (10th) swapped spots with the Bears (9th) and sent a 2024 fourth-round pick to Chicago. Carter, a unanimous All-American selection in 2022, bolsters a Philadelphia defensive line that features Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, and Josh Sweat.
Last season with the Bulldogs, Carter produced 32 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Over his three-year collegiate career, the 6-foot-3, 314 lbs. defensive lineman produced 83 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Carter might not start right away for the Eagles, but he will be a key member of their defensive line rotation under new defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
Round 1, Pick 30: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Philadelphia wrapped up Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft by grabbing another Georgia defensive standout in Nolan Smith. Smith had his 2022 season cut short by a season-ending torn pectoral muscle injury, but he still managed to have 18 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks in Georgia’s first eight games. Over his four-year career at UGA, Smith posted 110 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks.
The 6-foot-2, 238 lb. pass rusher is explosive off the edge and can rush from both ends, which is tremendous news for the Eagles, who love to rotate defensive linemen throughout a game. Emory Hunt of Football Gameplan had Smith ranked as his third EDGE in this year’s class and graded him an 80 (scouting grade), which is a potential pro bowler.
Round 3, Pick 65 (via HOU): Tyler Steen, OG, Alabama
The Eagles originally had the No. 62 overall pick in the second round but traded it to the Texans for the Nos. 65, 188, and 230 overall picks, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inqurier. To kick off the third round, Philly took former Alabama offensive tackle Tyler Steen as they continued to add to the trenches. The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman has solid footwork and good phone booth strength, according to Emory Hunt of Football Gameplan. Steen spent three years at Vanderbilt (2018-21) before going to Alabama.
Round 3, Pick 66 (via ARZ): Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
Philadelphia acquired the No. 66 selection in exchange for the No. 94 overall pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Cardinals due to a tampering investigation involving the hiring of former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as Arizona’s head coach, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With their second pick in the third round, the Eagles took safety Sydney Brown, who was the No. 1 ranked strong safety in this year’s draft class, according to Emory Hunt. Brown is an explosive athlete who can hit and can play the run. The 5-foot-10 safety is the third Illinois defensive back selected in this year’s draft class. This past season at Illinois, Brown recorded 60 total tackles, seven pass deflections, six interceptions, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Round 4, Pick 105 (via ARZ through HOU): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Before Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft began, the Eagles moved up to select the former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback. Ringo brings some more size (6-foot-2, 207 lbs.) to Philadelphia’s secondary, which has James Bradberry (6-foot-1), Darius Slay (6-foot), and Greedy Williams (6-foot-2). This past season with the Bulldogs, Ringo recorded 42 total tackles, seven pass deflections, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
Emory Hunt of Football Gameplan ranked Ringo as the eighth-best boundary cornerback in this year’s class. Hunt also compared his game to Xavier Rhodes and pointed out that he’s a fundamentally sound corner with great technique.
Round 6, Pick 188 (via NO through HOU): Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
Philadelphia also added to their quarterback room with the selection of McKee. McKee will likely battle with Ian Book for the third QB spot behind Marcus Mariota and Jalen Hurts. This past season with Stanford, the 6-foot-6 signal caller completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,947 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Emory Hunt compared McKee’s game to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and noted that he works well over the middle of the field and can make tight-window throws in the short-to-intermediate area of the field. This is the third-straight year that the Eagles took a quarterback on Day 3 or signed as an undrafted free agent (McKee, Carson Strong, Jamie Newman).
Round 7, Pick 249: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
To round out their 2023 draft class, the Eagles added former Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Moro Ojomo. Ojomo has a good get-off and motor while playing in multiple techniques for the Longhorns. The two-time Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference defender had 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss (career-high), and three sacks this past season in Austin, TX.
[Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports]
