Nolan Smith Staring at a Golden Opportunity in 2023

Howie Roseman loaded up on more Bulldogs at the 2023 NFL Draft. Using first-round picks on Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith got fans of the Philadelphia Eagles excited to watch stars that helped the University of Georgia to consecutive National Championships.

Carter is the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Smith hasn’t stood out nearly as much. It isn't because the 22-year-old doesn't have the opportunity to shine.

Nolan Smith has one sack, seven tackles, and two quarterback hits in the first nine games of his NFL career. His role on special teams has contributed to units that have improved from their performance last season. However, he hasn’t played more than nine defensive snaps in any game.

Nick Sirianni spoke on Nov. 1 about Smith’s limited role.

The head coach certainly wasn’t wrong about his two star edge rushers. They command playing time, but the Eagles have built some of their best teams on the strength of defensive line rotations.

Sweat and Reddick each played over 80% of the defensive snaps in Week 8 against Washington and Week 9 against Dallas. The Eagles didn’t use an edge rusher on 80% of defensive plays in any of the first seven games in 2023. The reliance on two players doesn't align with the approach they've taken toward the position in recent history.

Brandon Graham has shown some energy in a limited role, but he is unlikely to play more than 30-40% of the snaps in games down the stretch at age 35. Derek Barnett sat as a healthy scratch in Week 9. It’s unlikely that he has any future with the Eagles as a contributor. 

That leaves room for another player to enter the rotation of edge rushers.

There was excitement surrounding Smith during training camp. His slender body type and explosive ability drew him comparisons to Reddick. His relentless motor impressed the coaching staff and the fans.

The draft pedigree, the appeal of his skill set, and the seemingly wide-open spot in the rotation of pass rushers should be the perfect opportunity for Nolan Smith to step into a role on defense as a contributor.

The 2022 Eagles set a franchise record with 70 sacks. They have 30 this season, which lands them tied for fifth in the NFL through Week 10. An organization that takes so much pride in their strength in the trenches badly wants a dominant pass rush to help them meet their Super Bowl expectations.

While Reddick and Sweat can capably rush the quarterback in full-time roles, a first-round pick spending so much time on the sidelines isn’t a positive indicator of progress early in his NFL career.

The opportunity to earn the trust of the coaching staff is right in front of him. It’s up to Smith to make the necessary progress and take advantage of an immediate chance to become a key pass rusher for a Super Bowl contender.

The Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season with the best record in the NFL at 8-1, but they will have to deal with injuries to two more starters. They are currently in the driver’s seat to earn the top seed in the NFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The first half wasn’t the cleanest for the Eagles. They pulled out some tight wins in close games against inferior opponents like the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots.

However, Nick Sirianni has improved to 31-12 as a head coach in NFL regular-season games. The Eagles are 22-2 in games started by Jalen Hurts since the beginning of the 2022 season.

They can escape potential clunkers in an NFL era that all of a sudden seems defined by trap games.

The Eagles will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 11. The Super Bowl LVII rematch will end the conversation about the Eagles escaping games against weak opponents.

Their lineup out of the bye week will look different. Dallas Goedert will miss an estimated four weeks with a forearm injury. The Eagles don’t have the deepest group of tight ends behind their former second-round pick. They’ll hope for contributions from Jack Stoll and Albert Okwuegbunam and the return of Grant Calcaterra.

Nakobe Dean will also miss the Week 11 matchup in Kansas City with a lisfranc injury. Zach Cunningham has progressed into a role as the top linebacker on the roster. He could play every defensive snap without Dean on the field. Nicholas Morrow will also play an elevated role.

Julio Jones signed with the Eagles in October. The percentage of his offensive snap counts has increased in all three of his games with Philadelphia while Olamide Zaccheaus has seen decreased snap counts in all three.

The future Hall of Famer who should be ready to step into a role as the third wide receiver with the advantage of adjustments during the bye week.

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020

Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)

Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021

Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season, Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011

Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022

Left Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018

Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022

Defensive Tackle, #93
Louisiana Tech
3rd NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (73rd Overall) in 2021

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)

Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)

Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)

Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)

Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)

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