Florida Gator Howie Roseman had no problem mining talent from Bulldogs’ historic defense

There wasn’t a laid-out plan to draft players from Georgia.

“When you go into the draft, you don’t know necessarily who you’re going to get,” Roseman said.”The way the draft fell, these guys were in front of us, and we just started to collect them like trading cards.”

In 2022, the Eagles selected defensive tackle Jordan Davis with the 13th overall pick and linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third-round (83rd overall).

In the 2023 draft, the Eagles selected defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the ninth overall pick, linebacker Nolan Smith (30th overall) and cornerback Kelee Ringo in the fourth round (105th overall).

The Eagles have also added former Georgia safety Lewis Cine, who was a first-round pick by the Vikings in 2022.

Carter was a controversial pick after his role in the fatal car accident that led to two deaths in Athens. But Roseman said the Eagles did their homework on Carter and the rest of the Bulldogs.

“Background is a huge part of what we do,” Roseman said. “What we tell our scouts, there’s going to be so many guys watching the first-round picks, don’t worry about the grades. Make sure we know the background.”

The work including several trips to Athens and interviews inside of the Georgia facilities.

“So, we spent so much time on those Georgia guys in that building, talking to those guys,” Roseman said. “Really trust those coaches, those people in that building. We trust our building. We trust the people that we have. So, I think that’s kind of how we made that decision (on Carter). Obviously, he’s been phenomenal.”

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Roseman, a Brooklyn, New York native and recovering Jets fan, has also drafted other players from the SEC like wide receiver Devonta Smith, who played at Alabama and wide receiver Ainias Smith, who played at Texas A&M.

“I went to college in the SEC,” Roseman said. “I was in this dome when Florida won the national championship in ‘96, sitting in the upper deck.”

He thinks it’s easier to evaluate players from the SEC.

“I think it’s (clear) to see the competition,” Roseman said. “They’re going against the best players that they’re going to go against on Sunday. So, you’re not really going through the games and trying to find the best competition because you see it every week (on SEC game tapes).”

The Eagles are set to make their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons. Roseman, has been the executive vice president/general manager since 2019. He was the general manager 2010-14 and the executive vice president of football operations (2015-2018).

“The draft, it’s a crapshoot,” Roseman said. “You’re bringing in guys who are 21, 22-years old. You’re changing kind of cities that they live in. You’re putting money in their pockets. So, we just try to really have passionate guys that we feel really passionate about, that we’ve spent a lot of time with. That we feel like we’ve gotten to know, and it helps when they are really good players.”

Carter, who was taken one pick after the Falcons selected running back Bijan Robinson, has turned into a force. The Eagles were probably comfortable taking him because they already had Davis, who was close to Carter and is considered his “Big Brother” from being his recruiting host.

“He talks to me,” Carter said. “Tells me to keep calm. Don’t get too excited. We are still here and we’ve got a job. I’m on the same page, all of the Georgia boys are on the same page.”

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Smith had a strong second season in the NFL after not starting a game as a rookie. He started 10 of 16 regular-season games and all three playoff games this season.

“It’s exciting, it’s fun and I love it,” Smith said about playing professional football with some of his former college teammates. “Hey man, it’s nothing else that I asked for. Nothing else that I want.”

Davis has been running around doing interviews of his teammates during Super Bowl week. He asked Smith about his post-football plans.

“Georgia on a ranch,” Smith said. “I’m trying to go above the gnat line. But in Georgia above the gnat line is expensive. So, I’m (going to) get a little land. I might be able under the gnat line in Savannah fighting off some gnats, but as long as I (have) my bass pond and I’m out there swinging that rod, I’m just going to be happy.”

Davis added: “As you can see, Georgia born. George dead. He’s going to be in Georgia for the whole entirety of his life. We’re going to see the world while we can.”

Will Carter and Smith are major contributors, Davis is a reserve and Ringo shines on special teams. Cine was inactive for the NFC Championship game. Dean suffered a knee injury in the wild card playoff win over Green Bay.

In addition to his penchant for mining the SEC for players, Roseman discussed how the Eagles see other parts of the draft and personnel matters.

“I think the reason that we drafted two corners (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean) is because they were the best players on the board,” Roseman said. “It happened to fit a position that we needed.

“We didn’t go into the draft knowing that we were going to take a corner in the first round. We certainly didn’t go into the draft knowing that we take two of those corners. They just stuck out.”

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Roseman said Eagles consider themselves team-builders.

“You’re not trying to just collect talent,” Roseman said. “So, you just can’t just take all the great players in one position because of the way the resources are allocated in this league. But you also have to make sure that you’re not reaching on guys and just pushing guys up (the draft board).”

Roseman feels that mistakes are made when you draft for needs at a particular position.

“We continue the talent (acquisition) process through May through August,” Roseman said. “We didn’t get an (offensive) lineman in the draft in the first two days, which was a priority for us. After the draft, we went and signed (free agent) Mekhi (Becton).”

A former top-10 pick by the Jets, Becton was converted to a guard with the Eagles.

“So, I think the talent acquisition season is longer than you think,” Roseman said. “So, it gives you the opportunity to address things so you don’t have to press it in the draft. It’s so hard to find good players. If you go in and say, I have to find good players in this position, you’re really giving yourself a hard chance at getting players.”

The Eagles used the human element in deciding to take the players from Georgia.

“Hey, he’s got a critical flaw, but we can fix it,” Roseman said. “I think what you got to do is, when people show you who they are, you’ve got to accept that. I think that goes for scouting.”