‘Great Situation’

The Philadelphia Eagles impressed much of the NFL during a draft that addressed key needs with highly regarded prospects.

On the latest “Intel With Greg Cosell,” Cosell joined Inside The Birds hosts Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher to give insight into the Eagles’ 2023 draft haul as well as their newly acquired starting running back.

Nolan Smith, No. 30th overall pick for the Philadelphia Eagles is one of the top edge rushers of the draft

D’Andre Swift

Greg Cosell: “Given what his role will likely be, I think Swift is in a great situation where he can be part of a committee and play to his strengths. He is a very good runner, a terrific pass receiver, he is another guy that gives you formation versatility because he can detach from the formation.”

Nolan Smith

Cosell: “My sense is in this particular system, he essentially fills the Haason Reddick role, a SAM linebacker who plays on the line of scrimmage…I think Smith is a better run defender than Reddick. Even though he is only 238 pounds, he played with strength at the point of attack.”

Tyler Steen

Cosell: “I know they see him as a guard and that’s probably because of his arm length. I thought his tape in 2022 as left tackle was good, he was really good in pass protection, he compensated for his short arms really well with timely and efficient use of hand strikes. He proactively kept pass rushers from exploiting those short arms and getting inside into his chest. He will compete for the starting right guard position and it would not surprise me if he wins that.”

Sydney Brown

Cosell: “Here is what he essentially did in college: he was a box safety, strong safety. What he did exceptionally well was play man-to-man. I think that’s a in the NFL because he’s 5’10, and will he be asked to do that in the context of the Eagles defense? He is not a very good tackler. But Eagles are big on the measurables and analytics and he has phenomenal athletic testing measurables. He plays with urgency, movement, high-level competitiveness, has outstanding play speed and range, makes plays from sideline to sideline.”

Kelee Ringo

Cosell: “Ringo got drafted where he should have gotten drafted. The measurables are phenomenal, but you’re dealing with a guy who is not really good playing off-coverage at all. Despite his speed, he doesn’t play that fast and people ran by him on occasion. He doesn’t have a great feel for routes.”

Moro Ojomo

Cosell: “I like him. He has a really desirable combination of strength, power, quickness, movement. He has tremendous arm length which he does maximize effectively with his arm extension. He has quick shock coming off of the ball. I think he is scheme versatile, which is what the Eagles like.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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