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2023 NFL Draft: Texans, Eagles, Seahawks lead top 3 storylines

By Logan Lazarczyk

Apr 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (left), third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and quarterback CJ Stroud, second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pose with fans at a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (left), third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and quarterback CJ Stroud, second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pose with fans at a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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2023 NFL Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles were able to land Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter – arguably the best player in the draft – with the No. 9 overall pick.Syndication Columbia Daily Tribune /

Once again, the Eagles knock the NFL Draft out of the park

For those who don’t remember how the Eagles had a top-10 in the first place, the Saints traded up in the 2022 draft to take Chris Olave. Somehow, Philadelphia convinced New Orleans to cough up a 2023 first-round pick in the trade.

The Eagles continued their 2022 draft success into this year’s draft. Like last year, the strategy this year was to allow immense talent to fall into their laps. The Eagles did move up one spot to select defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Before the draft, Carter was universally viewed as a top-five pick, but off-the-field issues, and not being in the best shape at his pro day altered the way teams viewed him.

There was doubt that he would be picked inside the first 10 spots, but the Eagles stopped his slide, trading up to ninth overall with the Bears, and picking the former Georgia defensive tackle. Philadelphia was not done getting great value at their picks.

At pick 30, the Eagles got another first-round steal by selecting pass rusher Nolan Smith out of Georgia. There is a common theme with players that the Eagles select – they are all defensive stars that went to Georgia. In 2022, the Eagles ended up with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. In addition to picking Carter and Davis, the Eagles would also select former Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo in the fourth round.

Even after all that, Philadelphia had one more former Georgia Bulldog it was interested in. That would be running back D’Andre Swift. The Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, signaling the end of Swift’s tenure in Detroit. The Eagles gave up a 2025 fourth-round pick and pick 219 in the 2023 NFL Draft – a cheap price for a very talented running back that is only 24 years old.

Coming off a Super Bowl loss has not deterred the Eagles’ front office from assembling the best overall roster in the NFL. It is looking like the Eagles will be making a return to the Super Bowl.

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