One of the most unique things that has emerged from the last two NFL drafts is the Philadelphia Eagles heavily targeting Georgia defensive players in the draft.
As we approach this year's draft, one might wonder if that trend will continue. With that being said, I'll take a look at how those players have faired so far in their short-stints in Philly.
2022 NFL Draft-
NT Jordan Davis (No. 13 overall)
It was a slow start for Jordan Davis as he mainly served as a rotation Defensive Lineman in his rookie season in 2022 (played 224 defensive snaps on the year, or 17.2 per game in the 13 games that he played).
He then emerged as a key starter however (starting all 17 games) for the Eagles in Year #2. In 2023, Davis tallied 45 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 TFL while playing 519 defensive snaps.
For his two-year career so far, Davis has 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 TFL. Davis had a PFF grade of 70.5 this past season.
Davis is currently projected to be the Eagles starting Nose Tackle this upcoming season.
LB Nakobe Dean (No. 83 overall)
Dean was a rotation linebacker in his rookie season in 2022, before emerging as a starter in 2023. Dean was the Eagles starter heading into the season this past year, but suffered a foot injury in Week 1, resulting in an IR stint. He returned in Week 6 and played four games in a row before another foot injury ended his season.
Overall, the injuries limited him to just 5 games on the year. For his career, Dean has 43 tackles, 3 TFL, and 0.5 sacks across 22 games (4 starts). In 2023, before his injury, he amassed 30 tackles, 2 TFL, and 0.5 sacks in 5 games/4 starts.
Dean is currently projected to return to the Eagles starting lineup this upcoming season.
2023 NFL Draft -
DT Jalen Carter (No. 9 overall)
Jalen Carter was one of the NFL's top rookies in 2023, finishing a close second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Will Anderson (Carter received 14 1st place votes).
For the season, Carter ended up with 33 tackles, 8 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 FF, and a Fumble Recovery (which was a scoop-and-score) while playing 561 defensive snaps. Carter had a very strong PFF grade of 89 in his rookie season (which ranked 8th among all interior defensive lineman in the NFL).
While his off-the-field controversies pushed him down to being the 9th pick in the draft, he showed his talent off in his rookie season. Carter very well could be one of the best players from the 2023 draft.
Carter is currently projected to be the Eagles starting Defensive Tackle this upcoming season, and should get even more playing time than last due to another year of development plus the retirement of Fletcher Cox.
EDGE Nolan Smith (No. 30 overall)
Nolan Smith was a rotation pass-rusher and key special-teamer for the Eagles in his rookie season in 2023. He ended the year with 18 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 TFL. He played 188 defensive snaps on the year.
I would not rule out Smith seeing an increase in Playing Time in year #2, especially if the Eagles do end up trading star pass-rusher Haason Reddick.
CB Kelee Ringo (No. 105 overall)
Ringo earned a starting-job down the stretch for the Eagles in his rookie year, starting their final four games of the season, after not playing much before that. Ringo was a key special teamer for most of the year, but worked his way on the field defensively in the final 5 weeks. He played 22 defensive snaps in Week 13 before starting and playing at least 50% of the Eagles defensive snaps in their final four games.
He ended his rookie season with 21 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU's, 1 sack, and 1 Fumble Recovery