Grading the Philadelphia Eagles' draft picks

The Eagles came out swinging on the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft and kept the mojo going until Saturday.

They were praised across sports media for their draft choices. Many news outlets hailed them as the winners of the draft. Some even gave them an A+ for their picks, including USA Today. 

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman put together one of his best draft classes on paper this year. While mistakes he made in previous drafts have been put under a microscope by the tough, unforgiving Philadelphia sports media, it seems like he got this one right in the early going. 

With franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts locked up on a megadeal contract, the Eagles can't afford to spend on A-list free agents like they used to. The draft will be their No. 1 pipeline for new players. This past weekend, Roseman proved he is up to the task and has the ability to make the smart pick. 

We'd be mistaken if we didn't mention that the Eagles have six Georgia Bulldogs on their roster after this weekend. They drafted defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean last year and drafted defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith, cornerback Kelee Ringo and traded for former Bulldog D'Andre Swift. 

Of course, like any draft class, grading every pick right away can be complicated because none of the picks have played a single down in the NFL yet. These grades are based on team needs, scheme fit and the skillset of the player as they open the door to their NFL career. Three years down the line, it'll be much easier to put a number on each player. Until then, we'll evaluate what each player brings to the table in their rookie year and beyond. 

Let's take a look at the Eagles 2023 draft class and grade each pick. 

Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter (First round, No. 9 overall)

Grade: A+

While much has been said about Carter's off-field issues, the Eagles are confident they have the locker room and culture that can keep him out of trouble so that he can live up to his potential. He'll also be reuniting with several of his Georgia teammates, so he's joining an ideal NFL situation for success. 

The No. 1 rated prospect on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper's draft board, Carter has a rare combination of strength, speed and agility at defensive tackle. A two-time national champion at Georgia, Carter will learn the ropes under future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and should be inserted into the starting lineup in no time.

EDGE Nolan Smith (First round, No. 30 overall) 

Grade: A

Like the previously mentioned Carter, Smith won back-to-back national championships with the Bulldogs and was a member of their historic defense. 

Smith, who has drawn comparisons to Eagles star edge rusher Haason Reddick, was seen as a leader on those championship teams. Besides his obvious achievements on the football field, Smith brings unique physical attributes to the table. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and showed off his 41.5-inch vertical at the NFL Combine.

OL Tyler Steen (Second round, No. 65 overall

Grade: B+

Landon Dickerson, the last lineman the Eagles drafted out of Alabama, worked out pretty well, earning a Pro Bowl nod in just his second season in the NFL. 

Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland was Alabama head coach Nick Saban's line coach before joining the Eagles, winning two national championships with the Crimson Tide. Stoutland still has connections in Tuscaloosa, so the Eagles did their homework on Steen. Like Dickerson before him, Steen could become a mauler on the offensive line.

Safety Sydney Brown (Third round, No. 66 overall)

Grade: C+

The Eagles went global with their third-round selection. Brown, who was born in Ontario, Canada, said that he was "beyond blessed" to be joining the NFC champion Eagles. 

The Illinois product was a ballhawk for the No. 1 scoring defense in college football last season, intercepting six passes along the way. Brown is a physical player who specializes in man coverage and has serious potential on special teams thanks to his speed and solid tackling.

Cornerback Kelee Ringo (Fourth round, No. 105 overall)

Grade: B+

Yet another Georgia Bulldog, Ringo was the lockdown corner for the Bulldogs' back-to-back title reign. At 6-foot-2, Ringo possesses above-average size for an NFL cornerback. At the halls of Georgia, he proved he can be clutch. His pick-six against Alabama in the national championship was the dagger that gave the Bulldogs the win. He rarely left the field at Georgia, starting in 29 games for the Bulldogs.   

QB Tanner McKee (Sixth round, No. 188 overall)

Grade: D

This pick was a bit of a head-scratcher. After Hurts put together an MVP-level season and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance, they decide to draft a quarterback in the late rounds. While the Eagles have been clear that they want to be a 'quarterback factory' this pick could've been used on a more pressing concern, such as offensive line or defensive back. 

The Eagles already have former Falcon Marcus Mariota secured as backup quarterback and Notre Dame product Ian Book on the practice squad.

While the Stanford quarterback is intriguing, the Eagles should've used this pick on a team need. 

DT Moro Ojomo (Seventh round, No. 249 overall)

Grade: C

This pick feels like a move to fill the depth chart for training camp. The Eagles boasted the finest defensive line in football and led the league in sacks last season. Ojomo, a three-year starter with the Texas Longhorns, will be fighting for a roster sport from the get-go. One of the biggest rules in the draft is that you select the best player available. It looks like this is what the Eagles had in mind when they drafted Ojomo.