Eagles Rookies Who Will Make Instant Impact in 2023 Season

NFL teams that reach the Super Bowl one season typically don't come away with huge hauls in the ensuing draft. Yet, the Philadelphia Eagles followed up their NFC championship and Super Bowl LVII appearance by building a stacked 2023 rookie class in this year's draft.

It helped that Philadelphia owned two first-round selections, having acquired the New Orleans Saints' top pick in a trade from the previous year. That allowed the team to land a pair of talented players in the opening round, and it added five more over the rest of the draft.

Five of the seven players selected by Philadelphia were defensive players, and three came from Georgia. So, it was clear what the Eagles were trying to do in the draft.

Here's a look at Philadelphia's incoming rookies who are most likely to make an instant impact in the 2023 season.

Jalen Carter, DT

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith, left, and Jalen Carter, center, looks on during NFL rookie football minicamp, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Some draft rankings had Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter as the No. 1 player available this year.

However, the 22-year-old was not selected until the No. 9 pick, when the Eagles traded up one spot to land a potential long-term building block for the interior of their defensive line.

Carter is so talented that he could become an immediate starter in Philadelphia. But the team will need to determine how to balance playing time for its wealth of strong DTs, a group that also includes Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis.

However, the Eagles lost Javon Hargrave, who notched a career-high 11 sacks last season before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Philadelphia found ways to get Cox, Davis and Hargrave all involved in 2022, and it should do the same with Carter in 2023.

There's a good chance Carter impresses throughout training camp and the preseason and bumps Davis from one of the two starting spots at defensive tackle. Those two and Cox will all play a lot during the upcoming season, but the former Bulldog may end up being the best of the trio, especially when he gains a bit of NFL experience.

Nolan Smith, LB

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Philadelphia Eagles' Nolan Smith, center, and Jalen Carter, right, runs a drill during NFL rookie football minicamp, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Like Carter, Nolan Smith is a former Georgia defender who was selected by the Eagles in the first round of this year's draft.

The linebacker, who was taken at No. 30, also has the potential to become an immediate contributor in Philadelphia.

Smith brings four years of college experience with him to the NFL, where he'll join an Eagles linebacking corps that has plenty of talent. He may not have a starting role in 2023, considering Haason Reddick and free-agent acquisition Nicholas Morrow should be set on the outside spots.

That won't stop Smith from making an impact, though. He should become part of the edge-rusher rotation, along with Reddick and several defensive ends, such as Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. Everybody will have the ability to stay fresh because of that depth.

Smith, 22, is also a versatile, athletic player who could move around the defense and thrive. So, perhaps Philadelphia will do that to get the rookie even more involved early in his career.

Sydney Brown, S

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Philadelphia Eagles' Sydney Brown stretches with his teammates during NFL rookie football minicamp, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Another spot on the Eagles' defense with available playing time is safety.

During free agency, Philadelphia lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who signed with the Detroit Lions. That could create an opportunity for Sydney Brown, a rookie who was taken with the No. 66 overall pick in the third round of the draft.

It's even possible the 23-year-old could secure a starting role heading into his 2023 debut campaign. Philadelphia's top three safeties will be Reed Blankenship (an undrafted rookie last season), Terrell Edmunds (a free-agent acquisition) and Brown, with two of them starting.

All three should be involved in the mix. So, if Brown doesn't end up as a starter, the Illinois product will likely still get opportunities to contribute.

Brown may also land a starting job, though. He played a lot over his five-year career with the Fighting Illini and showed his big-play ability during his final season in 2022, when he nabbed six interceptions. That type of spark could be what the Eagles' secondary needs.