The Philadelphia Eagles have added three players from the University of Georgia to their roster in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Eagles selected defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith in the first round, and traded up to the top of the fourth round to acquire cornerback Kelee Ringo. This follows the Eagles’ selection of defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean in the early rounds of the same draft.
This marks the first time in the common draft era that Philadelphia has selected three players from a single school. The Eagles have also tied the record for most defensive players drafted from a single school with six previous teams achieving the same feat, most recently the 2013 New England Patriots who drafted three defenders from Rutgers.
Eagles Acquire Running Back D’Andre Swift in Trade with Detroit
The Eagles have also acquired running back D’Andre Swift in a trade with the Detroit Lions. Swift played collegiately at Georgia and will join his former teammates in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ general manager, Howie Roseman, joked that he was worried the team would be “relegated to the SEC” if they continued to draft more Georgia players. However, he did not hesitate to trade a 2024 third-round pick to the Houston Texans to acquire Ringo in the fourth round. Ringo impressed at the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, tying for fifth-fastest among defensive backs. He also recorded two interceptions and seven passes defensed in the last season.
The Eagles’ focus on Georgia players is understandable as the Bulldogs have boasted one of the top defenses in the nation in recent years, including the 2021 defense which was one of the best in NCAA history, holding opponents to just 10.2 points per game. The Eagles led the league with 70 sacks last season and reached the Super Bowl. Smith, one of the players drafted, expressed excitement about reuniting with his former Georgia teammates in Philadelphia.
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