2023 NFL Draft: Two Georgia Bulldogs defenders head to the Eagles

In last night’s first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, two members of the National Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs defense were selected in the first round. Coincidentally both players were selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles select two Georgia Bulldogs in first round of 2023 NFL Draft

With the 9th pick in the draft the Eagles selected Bulldogs defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Projected to be a high pick, the Eagles moved up from the 10th pick to nine to ensure they would get the first team All-American and Rotary Lombardi Award finalist. Carter should have an immediate impact on a defense that made it to the Super Bowl last year.

The Eagles were not done with Georgia as they had the 30th pick in the round and selected linebacker Nolan Smith. Although Smith was limited in action this past season, as injury caused him to miss the last 8 games of the season, he was still considered one of the top players in the draft at his position.

Smith improved his draft position with a strong combine performance. He and Carter will not be lone representatives of the dominant Georgia defense over the past couple of seasons. Last year, the Eagles selected Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2022 Draft. They also selected linebacker Nakobe Dean in the 3rd round with the 83rd overall pick. That will give the Eagles four players who all played on the 2021 National Championship defense for the Bulldogs.

The draft still has six more rounds to take place across the next two days as well. Will the Eagles pick up anymore Bulldogs in rounds two through seven the next two days, and just how many total players will Georgia see selected in the 2023 NFL Draft?