The ESPN staff recently graded how all 259 rookies in the 2023 NFL Draft performed during their first taste of preseason action.
Eagles’ Rookie Defenders Earn High Praise from ESPN Staff
ESPN NFL expert Tim McManus shared his thoughts on the Eagles’ rookies, giving high praise to some of the team’s top draft picks, including top pick Jalen Carter.
As McManus notes, Carter has been turning heads during training camp and the preseason.
Jalen Carter: Immediate Impact Rookie
Originally projected as the No.1 overall pick, Carter slid down NFL Draft boards due to character issues after being involved in a car accident following Georgia’s second straight National Championship victory.
Thus far, Carter has lived up to the hype that made him a potential No. 1 overall pick. The Eagles’ rookie made his presence known in the team’s joint practices versus the Cleveland Browns by pancaking All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio. He’s been a force on the defensive line and appears to be one of the rookies poised to make an immediate impact in Year 1.
Nolan Smith: Forcing His Way Into Eagles’ Pass-Rush
Nolan Smith and safety Sydney Brown also drew rave reviews from McManus.
Smith’s quickness, athleticism, and motor off of the edge should translate into immediate production along an Eagles’ defense that notched 70 sacks last season, just two shy of the NFL single-season record.
Smith is on track to be a part of the Eagles’ rotation of pass rushers right away. With Haason Reddick going down early in training camp, the former Georgia Bulldog has had the benefit of getting in more first-team reps than defensive coordinator Sean Desai may have originally planned for.
Those reps could prove to be valuable, especially early in the season.
Sydney Brown: In-Line For First-Team Reps Right Away
Like Smith, Brown has taken full advantage of his opportunities during Eagles’ training camp.
The third-round pick put his speed and range on full display during the first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
On the play, Ravens’ rookie Keaton Mitchell reversed field and seemed to have a ton of running room ahead of him. Instead, Brown chased down Mitchell for a negligible gain and brought back memories of Eagles’ legend Brian Dawkins in the process.
Brown is a rangy safety who can defend in the box and make plays in the passing game, making him an excellent partner beside Reed Blankenship on the back end of the defense.
Tanner McKee: Biggest Surprise During Eagles Training Camp
Meanwhile, Tanner McKee also earned high grades from the ESPN staff.
McKee was one of the biggest surprises during Eagles training camp with the former Stanford quarterback appearing way ahead of schedule for a sixth-round pick.
In fact, McKee played so well during training camp and the preseason that he’s forced the Eagles’ coaching staff to ask questions about whether McKee should be in line to be the backup quarterback over Marcus Mariota.
While both Brian Johnson and Nick Sirianni are pleased with McKee’s development, it appears that the rookie will remain entrenched in the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.
What Did ESPN Say About The Eagles’ Rookies?
Here’s what McManus had to say about all of the Eagles’ rookies:
Round 1 (No. 9): Jalen Carter, DT
Carter looks poised to make an instant impact. His number of “wow” plays has shot up over the past couple of weeks, most notably when he put All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio on his back during joint practices with the Browns. Carter started the summer working with the third-team offense, but he is now mixing in with the starters and is expected to be a regular part of the rotation starting in the season opener against the Patriots. “The biggest thing is just seeing him go out and destroy people. And being a pro. He’s soaking it up and he’s learning each day,” defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said.
Round 1 (No. 30): Nolan Smith, OLB
Smith has been one of training camp’s biggest standouts. He is lightning-quick around the edge and has the motor to consistently finish plays. Injuries have sidelined Haason Reddick for much of the summer, allowing Smith to get a bunch of reps with the first-team defense. He is on track to be a part of defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s rotation right away. “Man, the kid is a sponge,” Desai said. “He asks questions, he’s watching, he’s learning. He’s another guy who has been having a good camp.”
Round 3 (No. 65): Tyler Steen, G
The starting right guard competition between Steen and second-year lineman Cam Jurgens never materialized. Jurgens has consistently worked with the starters, while Steen is cross-training at both guard and tackle. The coaching staff seems pleased with his development, and he figures to be a key reserve who can plug in at multiple positions should an injury arise.
Round 3 (No. 66): Sydney Brown, S
Brown said he emulates Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins and Troy Polamalu, and that’s reflected in his aggressive, attacking style of play. The Eagles are still determining who will start alongside Reed Blankenship. Brown remains in the mix and should receive playing time early, even if he doesn’t crack the starting lineup.
Round 4 (No. 105): Kelee Ringo, CB
Ringo has been up and down. He has the size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and tools to play at a high level but will likely learn at first behind veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry.
Round 6 (No. 188): Tanner McKee, QB
McKee has been one of the big surprises of the preseason, performing well against both the Ravens and Browns and even sparking some external conversation about whether he should be the No. 2 QB in front of Marcus Mariota. While that talk is premature, McKee has done enough to earn a roster spot.
Round 7 (No. 249): Moro Ojomo, DE
Ojomo was performing pretty well before suffering a concussion against the Browns last week. The Eagles are pretty deep along the defensive line. Whether he makes the initial 53-man roster will depend on if he would make it through waivers so they could sign him to the practice squad.
[…] Smith flashed some of that raw athleticism in training camp and was one of the Eagles’ standouts during his short stint in the preseason. […]