The 2023 NFL Draft has been a roller coaster ride for the Philadelphia Eagles based on the reactions of analysts. They were one of the big winners on Day 1, swapping first-round picks with the Chicago Bears to land Jalen Carter at No. 9. That was a big move for Philadelphia, as they have a void to fill with Javon Hargrave departing in free agency.
With their second first-round pick, they went back to Georgia, selecting outside linebacker Nolan Smith. With some aging edge rushers on the roster, Smith will be in a rotation at first but it won’t be long until he is a starter. Getting him at No. 30 was one of the bigger steals of the round.
On Day 2, the roller coaster ride took a dip. People didn’t think highly of their first pick in the third round, Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen. However, they had back-to-back picks and their second one, Illinois safety Sydney Brown, started the upswing.
The selection of Brown received an A- grade, while Steen’s selection received a D+, which is one of the worst of the draft. The good times kept rolling on Day 3, as the Eagles made a trade to move up in a deal with the Houston Texans. Houston added a 2024 third-round pick by surrendering the third pick in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
With that pick, the Eagles bolstered their secondary with the selection of Georgia cornerback, Kelee Ringo. Ringo provides excellent value at that spot as it was surprising he was even on the board heading into Day 3.
With a player comp of Trevon Diggs, Philadelphia could have a special player on their hands. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports was also very high on the selection, giving the pick a grade of A- with some positive feedback.
“Many were down on his 2022 film. I wasn’t I saw a super-sudden, fast CB with plus ball skills. Not a natural mirroring coverage type but his quicks counter that weakness in his game. Big and long too.”
Ringo will have a chance to learn and develop behind two excellent cornerbacks in Darius Slay and James Bradberry. Both players, however, are going to be 30+ years old when the 2023 season gets underway, so adding some high-upside depth that can take over down the road makes sense.
The rich get richer with this selection as the Eagles are turning into Georgia-Northeast. Ringo is the fifth Bulldog defender that Philadelphia has drafted in the last two years, joining Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in 2022 and Carter and Smith this year.
