The Eagles landed two of the NFL draft’s top 15 players on Thursday night, and it is even sweeter after Howie Roseman drafted the fourth former Georgia Bulldogs defender.
Jalen Carter was the pick at No. 9, and after patiently waiting, Philadelphia’s GM doubled back and landed one of the top edge rushers in the country with Nolan Smith.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) April 28, 2023
Social media reacted to everything, and Twitter exploded when four best friends were reunited.
Reuben Frank
The Bulldogs are loaded again in 2023, and their 2024 Pro Day will be the place to be.
Most likely Eagles 1st-round picks in 2024:
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Xavier Truss, OL, Georgia
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) April 28, 2023
ESPN
Smith looked smooth in the all-white suit.
It's all Georgia Bulldogs in Philly 🦅 🐶
Eagles select Nolan Smith with the 30th overall pick #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Qa6kgedobj
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 28, 2023
Philly Cover Corner
Smith is an insane edge rusher when healthy.
If you are new and haven't seen this, this is why Nolan Smith is a ridiculously good pick. He has one of the best pressure and run stop rates of any edge over the past 5 years.
Fly Eagles fly! pic.twitter.com/eCmyl5qLOS
— Greg – PhillyCoverCorner (@greghartpa) April 28, 2023
Pro Football Reference
Philadelphia is the new Athens.
The @Eagles picked two Georgia players in the first round tonight, joining the two Georgia players they drafted last year.#Eagles | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/PNpQAVk3JZ
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) April 28, 2023
Brandon Lee Gowton
Smith plays with an edge and will be a force from Day 1.
Nolan Smith is a MF dog. Eagles fans gonna love him.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 28, 2023
Brndan Deeg
Smith has stayed the course in his development.
Nolan Smith was the No. 1 defensive end recruit in the nation in 2019, one spot ahead of Kayvon Thibodeaux.
His upside is through the roof. Getting him at 30 is a gift. pic.twitter.com/tYCqZj2EJC
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) April 28, 2023
Josh Tolentino
Similar to Jordan Davis a year ago, Eagles' Nolan Smith crushed the NFL Scouting Combine.
At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, he recorded a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical leap. Smith's athleticism score, per Next Gen Stats, ranked first among all 2023 EDGE prospects.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) April 28, 2023
Jeff Kerr
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 28, 2023