Nolan Smith needs to be an Eagle
In the last several drafts Howie Roseman has turned to the SEC to draft his players, and it has worked out. Now in the 2023 Draft, there is another SEC prospect who doesn’t just need to be on the Eagles draft board, he needs to be on their roster (unless his stud teammate comes in range for the Eagles to get him).
Georgia Bulldogs edge rusher Nolan Smith may not have had the greatest production in college, but with the right coaching, he could be a game-wrecker in the NFL. Smith put himself on the map with an explosive NFL Combine. He easily had the most eye-opening display of any player, nothing more eye-opening than running a 4.39 40-yard dash.
Now the stats don’t pop off the page when looking at Smith, who only recorded three sacks last season in eight games for the Bulldogs. The biggest thing with Smith is improving as a pass rusher. You can’t teach his athleticism, but letting Smith learn from one of the best edge rushers in Haason Reddick, and then pairing him with Reddick is a scary sight.
Smith has recently come out and said Philly feels like the perfect fit. He was a leader in the Georgia locker room and also played with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean on that stacked Bulldogs defense. Smith is nowhere near a polished pass rusher, but with the athleticism he already presents, you can mold him into a very productive edge rusher and he is already a solid run defender. Smith is the type of leader and player you want in your locker room, especially when you are trying to get back to the Super Bowl.
Roseman has been very productive in the last two drafts getting players from the SEC that have turned into superb talent. This past season, DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson were both Pro Bowlers, and both the aforementioned Davis and Dean are set to handle a bigger role in their second seasons come September. It is no secret the SEC is the best college football conference and a lot of great talent comes from there. This is a trend Roseman has picked up on and will hopefully continue in this draft in 2023.
Mock drafts have the Eagles all over the place with their number 10 pick. The point is the Eagles don’t have any immediate needs so you can’t really predict where they are going to go in the draft. The Eagles have heavily valued the offensive and defensive lines in recent history, but the offensive line is set for now and the future, besides the guard position. The defensive line doesn’t have any glaring holes, but you can never have enough pass rushers, especially with Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham not getting any younger. Unless Jalen Carter falls to the Eagles’ lap at 10, or in range for a trade-up, then Smith should be the pick. Bank on the athleticism and let him learn behind one of the best edge rushers in the league and continue to grow the defensive line.
Featured Image: Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images
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Categorized:Eagles