Eagles draft grades 2023: Analysis on every pick; was this Howie Roseman's best draft ever?

Martin Frank, Delaware News Journal

April 29, 2023 at 6:46 PM·6 min read

PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles were in the Super Bowl just 2 1/2 months ago, so there weren't really many glaring needs.

Sure, they lost some key players in free agency, but they also signed some players to fill their roles. And as the Eagles demonstrated with the mega-contract given to quarterback Jalen Hurts, they have the basis in place for a dominant offense.

Still, the Eagles did want to replenish the talent behind several of their veterans, and that especially includes the defensive line, where Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox could be nearing the end of their careers. It's a strategy that has worked well for them.

Here, then, are the grades for the Eagles' draft picks:

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THE PICK IS IN: Philadelphia Eagles and 2023 NFL Draft: Here's everything you need to know

Round 1, No. 9: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

There's so much to like about Carter. He was considered the top overall talent in the draft, and the Eagles only had to trade up one spot in order to get him. Before the draft, Eagles GM Howie Roseman said he didn't think he'd have a chance at Carter. Of course, the reason why Carter was available to the Eagles is because of a fatal car crash involving a second car that was drag racing with Carter. Carter also had a poor Pro Day and admitted that he wasn't in top shape.

Still, the Eagles felt that Carter was worth the risk, and that has a lot to do with the other Georgia players on the roster in 2022 draftees Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, along with veterans like Cox and Graham. If that's the case, the Eagles hit a home run. But it's a risk.

Grade: A-

Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith (4) rushes the passer in the first half of a game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga.

Round 1, No. 30: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

There were many draft analysts who had Smith going to the Eagles at No. 10. And if that's the case, then he would've been a solid B pick. So imagine how fortunate the Eagles must have felt that Smith was available at No. 30. Perhaps Smith's smaller size for an edge rusher of 6-foot-2, 238 pounds had something to do with his fall, or a pectoral muscle injury that ended his season last November (he's fully healthy). But Smith is a freakish athlete who ran a 4.39 in the 40, making him the first defensive lineman/edge rusher to run a sub-4.4 in the 40. Plus, he's reminiscent of another undersized edge rusher, who ended up with 16 sacks last season in Haason Reddick.

Grade: A

THE PICK IS IN: 2023 NFL Draft: Why Eagles traded up for Georgia DT Jalen Carter as Kelce chugs approval

ANOTHER BULLDOG: Eagles go to Georgia for both 1st-round picks as GM bristles at Jalen Carter questions

Round 3, No 65: Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama

There's a lot to like about Steen, who has three years of experience as a starting tackle in the SEC. Steen spent the first three years at Vanderbilt before transferring to Alabama last season, where he played left tackle on a perennial national championship contender. The Eagles see Steen, who's 6-6, 321 pounds, possibly playing guard this season before eventually moving out to tackle when (if) star right tackle Lane Johnson decides to retire.

The Eagles needed to replenish the offensive line after losing Isaac Seumalo and top backup Andre Dillard in free agency. Steen can help fill that role.

Grade: B

Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown (30) breaks up a pass intended for Wyoming tight end Treyton Welch in the end zone during an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Champaign, Ill.

Round 3, No. 66: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois

Brown is the first true safety drafted. For the Eagles, it's the earliest the Eagles had taken a safety since drafting Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round in 2011. Jarrett never panned out, but the Eagles are convinced that Brown, who had 6 interceptions last season, could challenge for a starting job right away. He mostly played closer to the line of scrimmage at Illinois, so he hasn't been tested much covering post patterns. Brown would have to beat out Reed Blankenship, an undrafted free agent last spring, to start next to free agent signee Terrell Edmunds.

The Eagles needed to address the secondary, but a cornerback might have been the better choice here, especially with Kelee Ringo still available (see below).

Grade: B

Round 4, No. 105: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

from Houston on Saturday

Never mind the Ringo comment. The Eagles came into Saturday without a fourth- or fifth-round pick. But Eagles GM Howie Roseman remedied that by trading into the third pick of the fourth round, giving up a third-round pick in 2024 (the Eagles are expected to have two third-rounders when they get a compensatory pick for losing Javon Hargrave in free agency).

Ringo, who's 6-2, 207 pounds and ran a 4.37 in the 40, was expected by many to go in the second round. He comes into a great situation, learning from veteran stars Darius Slay and James Bradberry for this year at least.

This pick was Roseman at his drafting best.

Grade: A

Trade: Lions running back D'Andre Swift

from Detroit on Saturday

This wasn't a draft pick, but to the Eagles it was better than drafting a running back, especially after not getting one in either Round 1 (Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs) or Round 2 (Zach Charbonnet). Swift was the Lions' second-round pick in 2020 (35th overall). Swift hasn't been fully healthy since suffering a shoulder injury. He hasn't rushed for more than 642 yards in a season. But he did rush for 5.5 yards per carry last season, including 144 yards in the season-opener last year against the Eagles in the season opener.

The Eagles switched spots in the seventh round and gave up a fourth-round pick in 2025.

Swift is entering the last season of his contract, and he should fit well into a rotation with Rashaad Penny, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon. And that's in addition to quarterback Jalen Hurts as a runner.

Grade: A

Round 6, No. 188: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

from Houston on Friday

The QB factory churns on as the Eagles get McKee, who's 6-foot-6, 231 pounds. McKee, however, is not mobile like Jalen Hurts or backup Marcus Mariota. McKee threw for 2,947 yards last season for the Cardinal, but draft analysts questioned his pocket decisions. He's 23 years old after spending a two-year mission in Brazil before getting to Stanford. McKee has a chance to get a roster spot over Ian Book. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a developmental quarterback.

Grade: C+

Round 7, No. 249: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas

from Detroit on Saturday

Ojomo joins a crowded defensive tackle room, even with the release earlier Saturday of Marvin Wilson. Ojomo could end up on the practice squad with veterans Fletcher Cox and Kentavius Street, along with Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Jalen Carter and Marlon Tuipulota ahead of him. But Ojomo does have potential, playing at Texas for five seasons, with 3 sacks and a career-high 33 tackles last season. Cox and Street are on one-year contracts. If he develops, there's a chance for him in 2024.

Grade: B-

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 2023 NFL Draft grades: Analysis on every pick; did Howie Roseman shine?

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Round 1, No. 9: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Round 1, No. 30: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

Round 3, No 65: Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama

Round 3, No. 66: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois

Round 4, No. 105: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Trade: Lions running back D'Andre Swift

Round 6, No. 188: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

Round 7, No. 249: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas

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