Nolan Smith: Grading Eagles No. 30 NFL draft pick

The Eagles land impressive edge rusher Nolan Smith with the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NFL draft and here is our grade. 

There’s a reason why the Eagles are built to be a long-term contender in the NFL and picks like the 30th overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft are why.

Nolan Smith was one of the best pass rushers on the board in the entire 2023 NFL draft and somehow, someway, the Eagles found a way to draft him with the 30th overall pick.

For the second straight year, the Eagles have drafted a pair of defenders from one many have called the greatest defense of all time (Georgia 2021) and Philly is just loaded up front for the foreseeable future.

Grading Nolan Smith to Eagles with No. 30 NFL draft pick

Nolan Smith is 6-foot-3, 235 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in sub 4.4. In terms of Von Miller comparions, he might be the best in the 2023 NFL draft first round because Smith has that kind of bend to go along with a total 20 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks during his collegiate career.

That number doesn’t match the production of some of the top edge rushers in this NFL draft but Clay Matthews had like 4.5 college sacks and he turned in a double-digit sack season within his first two seaons in the league.

With the guys playing around Nolan Smith with the Eagles, it’s flat-out scary the talent Philly has in terms of pressuring the quarterback, which is why I really love this pick for next and the future.

Jalen Carter is an incredible talent and a steal for the Eagles and now, they have landed another steal in Nolan Smith.

Phlly nearly won the Super Bowl last season and on Thursday night, they won the first night of the NFL draft.

Grade for Nolan Smith: A