Looking Back

The Eagles this offseason adopted a different approach than most years, prioritizing and building around their young nucleus of talent to position them for long-term success. While the concept would appear to be all too logical, a surefire recipe for sustained prosperity, the reality is that the line of thinking only works if they successfully draft and develop, something the Eagles have done an extraordinary job of in recent years.

Take the 2023 draft class, for instance. All seven players are either entrenched into roles or positioned to carve them out on an Eagles team equipped for another deep postseason run. And it isn’t only the “money” rounds that the team has nailed. The front office also struck on late-round value, which should deservedly be highlighted.

Here’s a look at what roles are in store for the Eagles’ 2023 draft class.

GETTY IMAGES: The Eagles got what appears to be a superstar in 2023 first-rounder Jalen Carter, one of many picks from that class who have promising futures.

First round (No. 9 overall): DT Jalen Carter

Quickly vaulting to a tier of his own at his position, Carter hit the ground running as a rookie and hasn’t looked back. Carter, whose resume includes 10.5 career sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 20 tackles for loss, has established himself as an interior force, one who routinely commands extra attention from offensive linemen and wrecks gameplans. He also rarely comes off the field, accounting for 84% of the snaps during the regular season and 88% during last season’s playoff run. But don’t suddenly expect a snap reduction, as coordinator Vic Fangio indicated more of the same in 2025, quipping, “He’s still a young pup.”

The 2024 second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection takes center stage entering his third season. The 24-year-old continues to improve and take his game to another level and now becomes the face of the Eagles’ defense. There’s a world in which he leads the team in sacks on his way to what should be another All-Pro season. An enormous payday awaits.

First round (No. 30 overall): EDGE Nolan Smith

When assessing the outlook of a young player, context is always helpful. Smith as a rookie joined a loaded group of pass rushers, accounted for just 16% of the defensive snaps and was unable to make much of an impact. Fast-forward to last year, when Smith answered the bell and became a prominent piece on a smothering Super Bowl defense, racking up 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits over 16 games (10 starts). He added another four postseason sacks while becoming a centerpiece for Fangio’s unit.

Smith tore his triceps just before halftime of Super Bowl LIX, but the third-year pro now elevates into the role of top pass-rusher on a new-look Eagles defense. Head coach Nick Sirianni often lauds Smith for his toughness and physicality, and the Georgia product exudes the same inherent leadership qualities and dynamic personality as recently retired franchise great Brandon Graham. Smith should not only thrive undertaking a Graham-like role off-the-field, but with his newfound opportunity, a double-digit sack season feels increasingly probable.

Third round (No. 65 overall): OL Tyler Steen

Steen never had much of a shot at the starting right guard spot as a rookie, the position that was inherited by Cam Jurgens, and contributed only 71 snaps across 11 games. His lone start, against Dallas, suggested Steen was a work in progress. A summer ankle injury last year gave way to Mekhi Becton, who wouldn’t relinquish the starting role, but Steen went on to appear in all 17 regular season games (two starts), accumulating 316 snaps. It’s notable to point out that Steen held up relatively well when pressed into service. That Steen was often called upon in-game demonstrated the 24-year-old’s ability to remain engaged on the sideline as well as apply the lessons learned on the practice field so that the offense largely wouldn’t miss a beat.

With Becton now out of the picture – the veteran signed with the Chargers in free agency – Steen enters his third training camp as the favorite to start at right guard. In theory, the insertion of Steen adds even more athleticism and movement ability to the league’s best offensive line, but his spot atop the depth chart isn’t expected to go uncontested. He’ll primarily be pushed by veteran Matt Pryor, and Kenyon Green could potentially garner consideration with a strong camp.

Third round (No. 66 overall): S Sydney Brown

Shortchanged of an offseason while recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered in the regular season finale of his rookie season, Brown was relegated to taking mental reps during training camp. He was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of the Eagles’ Week 7 game against the Giants but was unable to make up enough ground to factor into the defensive equation. Instead, Brown undertook a role as a core special teamer, serving as a tone-setter for the unit.

It was always a tall order to expect Brown to overcome the injury hurdle and fully absorb a Fangio defense that demands quite a bit of its safeties. But Brown is now armed with an offseason in which he can focus on mastering the defense and train for the upcoming season, and he finds himself in contention for a starting role opposite Reed Blankenship. Brown will have to earn it, however, as the third-year safety will be battling with rookie Drew Mukuba, and Fangio also included Tristin McCollum in the mix. For Brown to stand apart and elevate, he’ll need to be assignment-sound and disciplined. He’s going to get every opportunity to do so.

Fourth round (No. 105 overall): CB Kelee Ringo

An OTA standout last spring after notching starts in the final four games of the 2023 season, Ringo spent the early part of last summer trading first-team reps with veteran Isaiah Rodgers. As fate would have it, Rodgers would eventually overtake Ringo – and rookie Quinyon Mitchell leaped them both. Relegated to special teams, where he served as one of the league’s top gunners, Ringo didn’t see much defensive action in his second season. The 22-year-old registered just 112 snaps.

This time around, however, Ringo is faced with a golden opportunity. Gone are Rodgers and veteran Darius Slay, paving a path for Ringo to climb the depth chart and pry away a starting job. For that to happen, the third-year pro must be more technically sound and gain Fangio’s full confidence. If more consistent technique complements Ringo’s enticing length and athleticism, the Georgia product should win the competition against veteran Adoree’ Jackson running away.

Sixth round (No. 188 overall): QB Tanner McKee

This time last year, McKee was miring behind Kenny Pickett as the Eagles’ No. 3 quarterback. McKee, who didn’t appear in any games as a rookie, had already developed a following due to his inspired preseason play, but it was his performance late last season that likely cemented his role for the 2025 Eagles. For reference, McKee completed 30 of 45 pass attempts for 323 yards and four touchdowns over a game and a half of work.

The Eagles have since shipped Pickett to Cleveland, entrenching McKee into the all-important No. 2 quarterback position behind Jalen Hurts. McKee, 25, had a strong spring, throwing the ball with accuracy and velocity and showcasing complete command of the offense. It isn’t a stretch to say McKee is already among the league’s top backup quarterbacks and it feels like only a matter of time before the Stanford product becomes a starting quarterback for some franchise.

Seventh round (No. 249 overall): DT Moro Ojomo

Buried on a crowded defensive line as a rookie, Ojomo was limited to just 68 snaps over eight games. Opportunity knocked for him in 2024, as the 23-year-old appeared in all 17 regular season contests, accounting for 37% of the defensive total. The Texas product carved out a steady situational role, generating pressure from the interior and showcasing relentless effort. For perspective, Ojomo equaled the playing time of fellow interior lineman Jordan Davis, establishing himself as a trusted option for Fangio.

Now heralded as a breakout candidate, Ojomo will be counted on to atone for the free-agent departure of Milton Williams, who logged a tick over 500 snaps last season for the Eagles. While the snap vacancy will also require an expanded role from Davis, Ojomo is expected to be the primary beneficiary. The 6-foot-3, 292-pound Ojomo plays the game with power, quickness and violence, and now finds himself primed for an integral role on defense. That’s fantastic value for the Eagles.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.