Eagles: Howie Roseman Assembled A Georgia Bulldog Infinity Gauntlet
By Hunter Haas
Howie Roseman assembled a Georgia Bulldog infinity gauntlet this offseason by drafting Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, AND Kelee Ringo. The Eagles are ready to ride these defenders to another Super Bowl berth.
The Philadelphia Eagles came up just shy of their Super Bowl aspirations last season. After dominating much of the 2022 campaign, Howie Roseman and Co. dropped a back-and-forth battle vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, sending the front office back to the drawing board.
With a roster consisting of few holes, and an embarrassment of riches in terms of draft capital, the Eagles entered the offseason hoping to add the finishing touches to the group. Most additions came through the NFL Draft, outside of a trade for D’Andre Swift and the signing of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
At the 2023 NFL Draft, the offensive line welcomed an instant starter at right guard with Alabama’s Tyler Steen. Defensive back Sydney Brown has the traits to fill the vacated C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the secondary, but the three most exciting selections all hail from the same collegiate program: the Georgia Bulldogs.
Eagles: Howie Roseman Assembled A Georgia Bulldog Infinity Gauntlet
Fresh off of a 2022 NFL Draft that saw the Eagles trade up for Jordan Davis in Round 1, Philly did the exact same thing to secure his former partner-in-crime, Jalen Carter. Davis and Carter formed a fearsome duo in the SEC, with both guys earning the distinction of being franchise cornerstones on the defensive line… and Howie Roseman got them both!
That’s not all, though. Back in 2022, Roseman selected the heartbeat of the Georgia defense by taking linebacker Nakobe Dean. Effectively using a redshirt as a rookie, Dean learned the ropes and is ready to patrol the middle of the defense in the City of Brotherly Love.
Want more? How about a one-of-one athlete at pass rusher? Nolan Smith set the NFL world ablaze during a jaw-dropping workout at the Scouting Combine. He recorded a 4.3 40-yard dash, a 41.5-inch vertical, and a nearly 11-foot broad jump at 238 pounds. These numbers are unprecedented, to say the least.
Smith slots in perfectly to the Philly defense as a short-term understudy to Haason Reddick, as the two resemble each other in pads. Where Smith sets himself apart is as a run defender. He is a hard hitter with a desire to stuff every rushing attempt sent his way. With health, the Combine star oozes top-tier potential.
The final piece of the infinity gauntlet came on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Kelee Ringo, once considered a first-round prospect, fell all the way to No. 105 due to mobility issues on tape. The 207-pound defensive back is an above-average athlete, but he cannot stick with quicker defenders in man coverage. No worries, as Ringo can log snaps from the slot and at safety.
Considering Ringo went so late in the event, most of the risk is taken out of this selection. The Eagles can afford to be patient with his development, as Ringo is only 20 years old and can be a tone-setter in the right role. New defensive coordinator Sean Desai surely has a plan for the quintet of Georgia defenders.
Howie Roseman was already considered one of the best executives in sports before the 2022 NFL Draft, but the past 12 months have only solidified his ranking among the best. Drafting five players from one of the best college defenses ever assembled is hard to fathom.
If you went back to the National Championship Game from the 2021 season, not a soul would believe that Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean, AND Kelee Ringo all roam the same defense in the NFL. By taking advantage of some overthinking around the league, Roseman has assembled an infinity gauntlet of Georgia alum (including Swift). A group capable of spearheading the defense for the next decade in Philadelphia.