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It is hard to miss on draft picks when you land known commodity, and the Eagles hit the jackpot when they landed Georgia teammates Jalen Carter (9th) and Nolan Smith (30th) in the first round of April’s NFL draft.
Carter, a generational talent, and Smith, a steady force of nature, helped the Bulldogs win three straight New Year’s Six Bowls, an SEC Championship, and back-to-back national Championships.
Jalen Carter in individual drills #Eagles pic.twitter.com/UYR75kdCiV
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) June 9, 2023
They’ve already started to bring that winning mentality and SEC dominance to Philadelphia’s already-established culture.
The results have been impressive early on.
You could hear that pop from Nolan Smith hitting that bag. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/l65GSdQK9R
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) June 8, 2023
According to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Eagles’ two first-round picks from Georgia, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith, showed enough at OTAs to leave a lasting impression ahead of training camp.
“I think you just see their athletic ability and the drill work,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Thursday. “We’re doing a lot of 7-on-7, not team drills, but they’re getting a lot of individual work. So, you’re seeing the things that we saw, obviously, on tape of what they do well and the power, their athletic ability, their personalities.”
Teams were permitted to do 11-on-11 drills during OTAs.
Still, the Eagles decided on strictly 7-on-7 action, allowing only glimpses of Carter and Smith on the field outside of position and individual drills.
“You’re seeing that every day in drills, so it’s not the same type of measuring stick that you get from maybe a skill guy who is getting some team periods with the 7-on-7,” Sirianni said, “but you’re seeing the development in the skill and you’re seeing their skill in the individual periods with Coach (Tracy) Rocker and Coach [Jeremiah Washburn].”
Both players will see significant action as rookies, with the No. 9 overall pick, Carter, likely taking over for the departed Javon Hargrave.
Smith should see plenty of pass-rush snaps in a rotation with Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, and Josh Sweat.
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