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Defensive lineman Jalen Carter. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What Eagles need from each draft pick in 2023

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated May 7, 2023 2:50 PM ET

Philly fans will tell you that all they really need is for their team to play hard. But as the newest Eagles are about to learn, there’s much more to it than that.

Jalen Carter (DT)

The team's first-round pick needs to prove he’s the player they saw at Georgia, not the overweight player that couldn’t get through his pro day drills. Carter’s college stats were good, but they don’t reflect how disruptive he can be when he’s on the field.

Carter needs snaps, not necessarily sacks next year. Javon Hargrave had 11 sacks last year but Carter can’t replace them all. Hargrave’s strong play allowed Philadelphia to play Jordan Davis sparingly last year, but Carter won’t have that luxury. He’ll need to play a lot for the team to have success.

Nolan Smith (EDGE)

Smith needs moves. In college, he could use his 4.39 speed to run past blockers without giving much thought to technique. It got him 11.5 sacks at Georgia, but he’ll need to add some counters to get around NFL linemen.

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Smith is often compared to Haason Reddick. Reddick had 16 sacks last year but just 2.5 sacks in his rookie year. Smith needs to learn what Reddick has already figured out.

Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith pic.twitter.com/jIdqPDRtwX
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) April 28, 2023

Tyler Steen (OT)

Many assume the right guard position will go to Cam Jurgens, but head coach Nick Sirianni said the job is up for grabs. Jurgens is projected as the eventual replacement for Jason Kelce at center.

This offseason Steen should have plenty of snaps at right guard. He needs to make the most of them and keep Jurgens behind Kelce, not next to him.

Sydney Brown (S)

Brown had six interceptions with Illinois last year. Interceptions are good, but the Eagles could really use his help against the run. Philadelphia gave up 121.6 rushing yards per game last year, tied for 16th-most in the league.

According to Nick Falato of Si.com, Brown is a violent alley defender with elite burst coming downhill who can de-cleat opponents and contain the edge. At just 5-foot-10, Brown will need some big hits to make people forget about his size.

Kelee Ringo (CB)

Ringo lasted until the fourth round even though many considered him a first-round prospect. He already has the size and speed to play in the NFL and now he has extra motivation. Ringo needs to play angry, prove 31 other teams wrong and learn from veterans like Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

Tanner McKee (QB)

McKee needs to play better than Clayton Thorson. A fifth-round pick in 2019, Thorson never made it out of camp and is the last QB besides Jalen Hurts to be drafted by the Eagles.

Moro Ojomo (DT)

Ojomo needs to improve his technique and with two top draft picks in front of him, he might need to work at defensive end to see playing time in 2023.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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