With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Philadelphia Eagles, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Philadelphia Eagles rookies?
- Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia | Round 1, Pick 9
- Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia | Round 1, Pick 30
- Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama | Round 3, Pick 65
- Sydney Brown, S, Illinois | Round 3, Pick 66
- Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia | Round 4, Pick 105
- Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford | Round 6, Pick 188
- Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas | Round 7, Pick 249
Philadelphia Eagles Draft Class Grade:
The Eagles received an A+ rookie class draft grade from PFF, an A from ESPN, and an A from NFL Network.
Which Eagles Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Howie Roseman took a calculated risk by selecting Jalen Carter (first round). Questions about his maturity and work ethic exist, but it’s easier to keep someone focused on a winning team.
We could see Carter used in tandem with last year’s first-round pick Jordan Davis, with Davis seeing more early-down action and Carter taking more passing-down reps. Among Power Five interior linemen, Carter’s 14.4% pressure rate ranked third in the nation last season.
The Eagles probably view Nolan Smith (first round) as an insurance policy and long-term replacement for Haason Reddick. Roseman has historically drafted bigger edge defenders, but last year’s coaching staff developed a role for Reddick which allowed him to flourish as a stand-up edge rusher.
The undersized Smith generated a 20% pressure rate off the edge last year and should fit perfectly into Reddick’s role.
Tyler Steen (third round) played left tackle at Vanderbilt and Alabama but appears to have the body type and functional strength to shift inside to guard. He is expected to compete with Cam Jurgens for the starting job at right guard.
Sydney Brown (third round) could potentially start as a rookie, though he may need to adjust to a new role. Brown flourished in the strong safety role at Illinois. However, Philly recently signed Terrell Edmunds, who is also better suited for playing in the box.
Brown has limited experience in the deep secondary but clearly has the speed (4.47 40-yard dash) to cover a lot of ground in that role.
The Eagles used two-high coverages on 39% of pass plays last season while new defensive coordinator Sean DeSai did so at a 42% rate in Seattle. Illinois used two-high coverage on 13% of their plays last year, the third lowest rate in the FBS. So Brown will have a lot to adjust to in his new role.
The selection of Kelee Ringo (fourth round) was the perfect pairing of value and a need for depth in the secondary. Ringo is still developing the fundamentals needed to excel in the league but has special traits for the position.
Based on route-adjusted data, Ringo allowed a catch rate 2.8% above expected when defending the most common NFL routes (curl, dig, drag, flat, out, slant) in 2022. When defending explosive routes (corner, post, fade, go, seam, deep cross), Ringo’s catch rate allowed was 33% below expected.
His athletic traits allowed him to stick with receivers downfield. Now he just needs to develop the anticipation skills to win against the quick, short routes.
Roseman believes in continuing to invest in the quarterback position given the incredible value when you hit on a prospect. That said, the selection of Tanner McKee (sixth round) was a surprise given the contrast in play style between him and Jalen Hurts.
Additionally, he comes from an odd offense at Stanford 一 primarily a traditional, old-school pro-style scheme but with a recent addition of the slow-mesh concepts Dave Clawson runs at Wake Forest.
Moro Ojomo (seventh round) joins a suddenly crowded depth chart at defensive tackle. He’s a good athlete with impressive length and ranked third in the Big 12 in pressure rate generated on the interior last season (9.7%). With a strong training camp, he could earn some reps on passing downs.
It’s hard to believe we’re only three years removed from Roseman drafting Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson 一 it is not revisionist history to say that pick looked bad even on draft night. But Roseman seems to have adopted the approach of “let’s not overthink it.”
Except for McKee, which was clearly a predetermined choice to roll the dice on a Day 3 quarterback, every Eagles pick could reasonably be argued to be the best available player on the board. Not all of them will pan out, but in the long run, that’s a winning strategy.
