Obsession with SEC talent is paying dividends for Eagles

Roseman, who has served in the Eagles' front office since 2000, recently discussed his draft philosophy. Specifically, the Eagles' general manager emphasized landing elite talent early in the draft.

“When you're talking about the beginning of the draft, you want impact," Roseman said. "You want to find an impact player. Certainly, in the first round, our grading scale speaks to us to what we want to find in the first round. It's your chance to get a Pro Bowl player, to get a blue-chip player. So, we're looking for them in the first round.”

Although drafting from the SEC, or any conference, does not boast a 100% hit rate, it has proved fruitful for Philadelphia. 

Nearly the entire starting offense, which scored the seventh-most total touchdowns last season, is comprised of former SEC draftees. 

This includes A.J. Brown (Ole Miss) and DeVonta Smith (Alabama), who terrorized opposing defenses as one of the league's most dynamic tandems, and All-Pro defensive lineman Jalen Carter (Georgia), who helped anchor Vic Fangio's top-ranked defense. 

Over the years, the SEC has been one of the largest breeding grounds for NFL talent, and the Eagles are taking full advantage. By drafting pro-ready talent, especially early in the draft, the Eagles have expedited the learning curve of their draftees, allowing them to make an on-field impact sooner. 

"It's an incredibly detailed program," Roseman said at the NFL Draft Combine when asked about his adoration of Georgia prospects. "They have a history of winning.

"When you add new players and add this many new players from one place, they know how to play off each other. They have a chemistry that you would normally have to cultivate through your team and through years of practice. So, [by drafting SEC prospects from the same school] you get a head start."

Philadelphia added four more SEC standouts in the 2025 NFL Draft, including its first and second-round picks, Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) and Andrew Mukuba (Texas).

Again, drafting from a specific conference does not guarantee success, but Roseman and the Eagles have clearly found a formula they like.

"Everyone is looking at things differently, everyone has a different vision of what they are looking for for their team," Roseman said. "Everyone has a different vision for the particular players that they're looking at. You just hope that that makes sense for your football team."