Two picks, two ‘Dawgs, two members of the best collegiate defense possibly ever – and for the second straight year, one of them came much later than talent belied thanks to an untimely injury.
About 2 ½ hours after moving up to take Georgia DT Jalen Carter at No. 9, the Eagles used their No. 30 selection on Bulldogs EDGE Nolan Smith, who drew a HUGE reaction from the fans watching our live NFL Draft Show at The Linc:
The pick was made by the one and only Donna Kelce, and as Glen Macnow joked, it gave the Eagles “the All-Georgia defense” as they “got two primo All-Aerican defenders from Georgia to help out a unit that really needed it.
So, what did our other hosts still on duty after a long day at The Linc have to say?
JOE GIGLIO: “The Philadelphia Bulldogs! I said yesterday, if they were going to double up on one side of the ball in this first roundt, I wanted it to be defense, and they got two All-American players. Nolan Smith is small, but they’ve done it with Haason Reddick – they know how to use a smaller edge rusher. I think they had a great night. I like it!”
IKE REESE: “I don’t think there’s anything not to like. They come from a great program with a track record of production, and the ceiling is so high for both of these guys. You’re looking at two guys who can be staples of your defense, along with their two Georgia teammates from two years ago…Philadelphia Bulldogs, let’s do it!”
HUGH DOUGLAS: “I think it’s a good night. You got two players you were projected to get in multiple mock drafts. I like both of the picks.”
ELIOT SHORR-PARKS: “Everyone is following Hugh from Atlanta! I would have preferred they went offense, but if you’re going to go went defense, if I could have any two players, these might have been the two. I think Carter could be the best player in the draft, and Nolan Smith has special qualities, and to get him at 30 is a steal. It was a good night for sure.”
Stick with 94WIP overnight and all day Friday for full reaction to the Eagles’ first-round haul!
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