With the eventful 2023 NFL Draft officially over, it is now time to take an in-depth look at the Philadelphia Eagles 2023 NFL Draft class. Other than the obvious drafting of Georgia players, the Eagles has a more overarching theme in their approach to the draft. The Eagles were looking to acquire talented players, from big-time college programs, with elite athletic traits. In all, the Eagles acquired seven new players via the draft: it is now time to look at their pro comparisons.
Jalen Carter: Jeffery Simmons
Jalen Carter came into the draft process as the number-one ranked prospect on most draft boards. Why he did not become the first overall pick is well documented. It had nothing to do with his talent. Carter has the elite size, speed, and quickness to dominate at the NFL level. His game closely resembles a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, Jeffery Simmons.
Simmons is a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans. He is a powerful player, who is rarely overpowered by one blocker. He has the unique ability to play one through five techniques on the defensive line. The Titan is stout against the run and even better against the pass. Despite being exceptionally powerful, his quickness is what makes him special. He makes guards and centers look silly at times. Simmons is best on the inside but has enough speed and quickness that he can flex outside and rush the passer from the edge occasionally.
Carter has all the ability in the world. Like Simmons, he can play the one through five techniques. He is powerful against the run and his quickness as a pass rusher is special. Carter needs to mature and keep his head focused. If the Eagles can help Carter do that, he has the potential to be a star in this league.
Nolan Smith: Haason Reddick
Nolan Smith stands at 6′-2″ and weighs 238 pounds, with 32-inch arms. His measurables are almost identical to Haason Reddick’s. However, Smith is even more explosive. At the combine, Smith ran a 4.39, had a 41.5’’ vertical leap, and a 10’ 8’’ broad jump. These numbers are unheard of for his position.
Smith is a freak athlete. on paper On the football field, he is twitchy and has elite burst. This will serve him well as he will need to use his speed and athleticism to get around bigger offensive tackles in the NFL. Smith and Reddick have similar body types and skillsets. Smith is entering a great situation with a team that already knows how to utilize a player like him. However, Smith will need to improve on finishing at the quarterback for sacks. In college, he never had a season with over 5 sacks.
Reddick was considered a hybrid linebacker at one point in his career. Once drafted, he was used as an off-ball 4-3 WILL linebacker. This position did not suit him well as he underperformed with the Arizona Cardinals. In 2020, Reddick’s last season with Arizona he was moved into primarily an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme. As a result, Reddick had his best season in the NFL yet, gaining 12.5 sacks. He played one season with the Carolina Panthers, primarily as a pass rusher, and he obtained another double-digit sack season. Unlike when Reddick was drafted, the Eagles will have a plan on how to use an undersized edge rusher with speed like Smith. As a result, Smith should have a smoother transition to the NFL.
The similarities between Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith are wild #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/IMvYvRFNxf
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) April 28, 2023
Tyler Steen: Morgan Moses
Tyler Steen out of Alabama is exceptionally strong and moves well for 6′-6″ and 321 pounds. He has good lateral quickness and range as a pass blocker. His physicality is what draws a comparison to Morgan Moses. In the run game, both players never give up on a block and finish people to the ground. Morgan Moses has been a dependable player, having played nine seasons in the NFL, primarily at the tackle position. Steen played tackle in college. However, he projects to play guard at the NFL level due to having smaller arms than the average tackle.
Steen’s projected role on the team could change depending on how he looks in camp. As of now, he projects to be the primary guard backup this season. He could also fill in on the outside if Lane Johnson or Jordan Mailata go down. The Eagles currently have a hole at the right guard spot. It is likely Cam Jurgens’s job to lose. However, Steen will have a chance to prove he deserves it with a strong training camp performance.
Sydney Brown: Duron Harmon
Sydney Brown is a ball-hawking deep safety who struggles as a tackler. PFF charted an unreal 16.5% missed tackle rate for Brown. However, Brown has great ball skills and makes impact plays. Brown recorded 10 interceptions at Illinois, with six coming last season. He has the size, speed, and playmaking ability to become an every-down player for the Eagles’ defense. He needs to improve his tackling, which might stop him from getting on the field early. With some time, and improved tackling, Brown will have no problem grabbing one of the Eagles’ starting safety positions in the coming seasons.
Philadelphia selects Illinois Safety Sydney Brown 66th overall
🦅 89.4 coverage grade last season (1st among Big Ten Safeties) pic.twitter.com/aAJqkmv4va
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 29, 2023
Early on in his career, Duron Harmon was not a very good tackler. However, Harmon continued to see playing time because of his nose for the football. He made the most of the opportunities he got on the field. As a result, every year of his career he would see his playing time increase. Eventually, he became a full-time starter for the New England Patriots and now the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kelee Ringo: Patrick Peterson
Kelee Ringo, a cornerback from Georgia is another athletic freak. He is a bigger corner at 6’-2’’ and 207 pounds. What makes him such an intriguing prospect other than his size, is his elite speed. At the NFL combine, Ringo ran a 4.36, ranking him as the sixth fastest corner in this draft class. Ringo was a track star in high school, winning state titles in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Ringo still has a lot to learn about the game of football. He is just 20 years old and only a two-year starter at Georgia. However, his athletic profile and ball skills draw a comparison to one of the best corners in the last decade.
Patrick Peterson was drafted by the Cardinals way back in 2011. Coming out of LSU, he was the highest-ranked cornerback prospect with elite traits. Standing at 6′-1″ and running a blazing fast 4.34 40-yard dash. People knew he had the skills to be one of the best in the game. He did not take long to prove those people right. Peterson was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL.
.@GeorgiaFootball boys continue to dominate the 40. 🐶
4.36u for DB Kelee Ringo.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/F7e96y7A9L— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Tanner McKee: Kyle Orton
Tanner McKee pro comparison is former Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Orton who is 6′-4″, was a big quarterback who played tall in the pocket. McKee is 6′-6″ which helps him see over the line and deliver the football. McKee’s game is about timing and rhythm. He does a good job of anticipating routes and hitting players in stride.
McKee, much like Orton, offers little to nothing in the running game. They both play from the pocket. McKee does not offer a threat like Jalen Hurts in the Eagles’ run-heavy RPO scheme. If McKee was to see the field anytime soon, the offensive scheme would likely need to be tweaked to accommodate him. Fortunately for the Eagles, they already have a backup quarterback similar to Hurts in Marcus Mariota. McKee is a developmental guy with high upside that the Eagles hope to develop into a cost-effective backup.
Moro Ojomo: B.J. Hill
Moro Ojomo has a similar build to former New York Giants, and now Cincinnati Bengals, defensive tackle B.J. Hill. Ojomo weighs slightly less than Hill but they have a similar role to play. Ojomo is the definition of a run-stuffer and offers very little as a pass rusher. This will likely keep him off the field in passing situations. He is an early-down player and provides good depth on the line. Hill has had two seasons in five years with 5.5 sacks. For an interior defensive lineman, that is good production. Do not expect that level of pass-rush production out of Ojomo in the NFL, especially early.
Last season the Eagles did not have a backup nose tackle when Jordan Davis got hurt. As a result, the Eagles had to pick up two veterans, Ndamukong Suh, and Linval Joseph. Ojomo’s role will be simple: serve as a depth defensive tackle and the primary backup nose tackle. They will ask him to come in on run-downs and clog everything up. In this role, I think he can be successful. Early in his career any pass rushing would be a bonus.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
