Eagles Rookie Report Card: Final edition

With the Eagles season mercifully within the rearview mirror, we will recap after which hopefully look ahead to a lot enchancment over the approaching months. The Eagles relied on their rookies fairly a bit extra in 2023 than they could have hoped. Accidents performed an enormous position on this and the rookies responded with pretty uneven play. It’s not all dangerous although, because the younger core received nice expertise that would assist speed up their growth heading into subsequent 12 months. Right here’s how they did. (Stats from Professional Soccer Reference)

Jalen Carter: B+

Stats: 20 Solo Tackles, Six Sacks, Eight TFLs, 9 QB Hits, 2 Pressured Fumbles, 1 Defensive Landing

Jalen Carter began the 2023 season sizzling. Over the primary few weeks of the 12 months, Carter was merely unblockable and it appeared just like the Eagles had the subsequent nice NFL defender blossoming on their group. The second half of the season however a damper on these hopes, nevertheless. Carter’s play regressed, as did the remainder of the protection, and he made much less and fewer of an affect down the stretch. It is rather doable a midseason again harm lingered and likewise doable that he simply ran out of gasoline. NFL conditioning is a complete new beast and the Eagles offensive inefficiency meant the protection was out on the sector quite a bit. A bitter finish of the season shouldn’t change the truth that Carter was unbelievable when he was at his finest. Hopefully an offseason to get wholesome and proceed to organize for a demanding NFL season will yield a extra even sophomore season from Carter. It’s nonetheless doubtless Carter finally ends up an elite defender and shortly.

Nolan Smith: C-

Stats: 10 Solo Tackles, One Sack, 1 TFL, 3 QB Hits

Nolan Smith’s rookie season was at all times going to be a wash. Smith was taking part in behind Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham and it was recognized to most that there could be a steep studying curve for the undersized defender as he got here again from a decrease physique harm. Smith received extra play because the season went alongside and the group appeared for methods so as to add extra velocity to the protection. Smith even received a couple of snaps taking part in off ball linebacker as accidents actually thinned the group out. It was clear Smith has numerous work to do and the shortage of constant play made it troublesome for him to discover a groove. Nevertheless, his motor on the sector was actually encouraging. Any time he was on the market, he performed quick and truly laid out some spectacular hits in opposition to the run and quick passing sport. Smith is a brilliant, proficient participant and a reliable defensive coordinator ought to be capable of take advantage of his skills in Yr 2.

Tyler Steen: B

Rookie Season Stats: 1 Begin, 71 Offensive Snaps

Tyler Steen was drafted to be a venture participant. He has all of the bodily potential to be a superb NFL lineman and simply wants time with Jeff Stoutland to develop these skills. Accidents alongside the Eagles line meant Steen began one sport at proper guard when Cam Jurgens was out with harm and Sua Opeta was struggling. Steen was spectacular at occasions, trying particularly good as a run blocker. It was a glimpse into the participant Steen might be and if Cam Jurgens is shifting to middle in 2024, the Eagles can really feel snug with Steen sliding in at guard.

Sydney Brown: B-

Stats: 32 Solo Tackles, One TFL, One Interception, One Pressured Fumble, Three Passes Defended, One Defensive Landing

Sydney Brown’s rookie 12 months was book-ended by accidents. The primary 12 months security received off to a gradual begin resulting from a hamstring subject after which tore his ACL within the ultimate common season sport. In between, Brown confirmed numerous encouraging flashes. The accidents to the Eagles secondary meant Brown performed throughout at security, nickel linebacker, and slot nook. He performed quick, bodily soccer and made a couple of spotlight tackles. His most spectacular play of the 12 months was simply his 99 yard pick-six in opposition to the Cardinals the place he weaved out and in of could be tacklers to attain. He’s a formidable athlete! Brown’s enthusiasm as a tackler was a little bit of a double edged sword, as he missed some tackles that allowed large video games. Hopefully Brown can get wholesome and return to type, as a result of his ceiling at security is basically excessive if the Eagles can simply let him keep comfortably at one spot on protection.

Eli Ricks: C

Stats: 13 Solo Tackles, One TFL, Three Passes Defended

After a formidable preseason, there was a ton of buzz round Eli Ricks. Regardless of his standing as an undrafted free agent, he appeared assured and competent in preseason play. An harm to Avonte Maddox early within the 12 months meant Ricks needed to step in as a nickel cornerback, taking part in within the slot. He had an up and down stretch in the midst of the season as he was tasked with overlaying the likes of Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, in addition to tons of different proficient receivers. Ricks had his fingers full and appeared overmatched at occasions. His play tightened up down the stretch within the season, which is encouraging. The Eagles secondary will doubtless undergo an enormous makeover this offseason and Ricks might be competing for beginning time in 2024.

Kelee Ringo: B-

Stats: 17 Solo Tackles, One Interception, Two Passes Defended, One Fumble Restoration

Kelee Ringo was a man I believed was method under-drafted given his skills. His measurement, velocity, and physicality was prototypical for the NFL and he was one of many youngest gamers within the 2023 class. Nevertheless, his early absence from the Eagles protection recommended he might need struggled to earn the teaching workers’s belief. Perhaps selecting up an NFL playbook was difficult. Nevertheless, Ringo discovered his method onto the sector later within the season when Darius Slay was injured and simply appeared actually stable. His athleticism was evident instantly in his potential to run with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and he was fearless as a tackler. His taking part in model was welcomed in a secondary that felt prefer it misplaced a step and wasn’t overly bodily. Right here’s hoping he will get a shot to contribute on the 2024 protection.

The remainder

Ben VanSumeren: The Eagles’ abysmal linebacker depth meant counting on BVS down the stretch to carry it down at linebacker. VanSumeren had some vivid moments, however principally struggled to carry up athletically on an NFL protection.

Moro Ojomo: Ojomo noticed sparing snaps in a deep, deep defensive position group. Nevertheless he at all times made essentially the most out of his snaps and will earn some extra taking part in time in 12 months two because the Eagles attempt to get youthful up entrance.

Mekhi Garner: Mekhi Garner was known as up from the apply squad to play security in emergency conditions regardless of by no means taking part in the place earlier than. He appeared advantageous, all issues thought of, however ideally the Eagles gained’t must rely a lot on him going ahead.

Tanner McKee: Fortunately the Eagles by no means needed to see Tanner McKee through the common season. Nothing in opposition to him, however it could have simply meant that one thing actually dangerous occurred. McKee appeared wonderful within the preseason, higher than most likely anticipated. He ought to compete for the QB2 place this summer time.