The 2023 NFL Draft is finally behind us, and now it’s time for all the pundits and fans to try to determine who won a draft in which all 259 players selected by teams have yet to play a single down. One thing that everyone is in agreement on, however, is that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman absolutely crushed the draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles already had an incredible roster built by Howie Roseman. That roster, of course, led them to just a few plays from winning the Super Bowl back in February, as they lost on a last-second field goal, 38-35. There are very few holes in the roster at any position. Even with some key free agent losses like Javon Hargrave.
Due to the masterful trade during the draft last year that gave the Eagles the New Orleans Saints first-round pick this year, the team with the best record in the NFL last year ended up with the 10th pick in the NFL Draft. And, somehow, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who many thought was the best player in the draft but had some off-the-field issues, slipped to the Eagles and they immediately snatched him at the tenth pick.
Howie Roseman drafted another Georgia Bulldog in the first round with the 30th pick when he selected freakish edge rusher Nolan Smith. Coupled with trading up to take cornerback Kelee Ringo with the 105th pick and with last year’s selections of Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, Howie Roseman has acquired five members of the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs defense that many thought was the best college defense in quite some time.
Howie Roseman made some other strong picks, like Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen, who will likely start at guard next year. And, he acquired another Georgia Bulldog when he got Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift in a trade on the cheap after the Lions selected Jahmyir Gibbs in the first round.
Trade: After using their top pick on RB Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions are trading D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles, per sources. The trade is a homecoming; Swift is from Philadelphia and went to high school there at St. Joseph’s Prep before attending, of course, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/AUUpLSw1Kr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2023
Everyone is praising Howie Roseman on a job well done.
Eagles GM, Howie Roseman, separates himself from every other GM during the draft. Last year it was AJ Brown, who catapulted the eagles receiving room. This year adding Swift via trade to what’s already been an elite draft. The eagles roster will again be top tier. https://t.co/OyRK6MpzHV
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 29, 2023
Apparently, other league executives aren’t liking the fact he’s getting so much love from everyone.
Speaking on NFL Network, @PSchrags mentioned some executives around the league are getting annoyed with how much praise Howie Roseman is receiving.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 29, 2023
Maybe the other 31 teams should do better instead of worrying about the job Howie Roseman is doing. Currently, the Eagles have the 2nd best odds to win the Super Bowl, at +850. The Chiefs are at +600.