With training camp continuing to draw closer, the Eagles have finished the business of signing their draft class to their initial NFL contracts. The team announced on Monday that cornerback Kelee Ringo has inked his four-year rookie deal. 
Philadelphia continued its recent practice of adding ex-Georgia defenders during the 2023 draft. Both of the team’s first-rounders (defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith) spent their college careers with the Bulldogs, as did Ringo. The latter was a key contributor in the secondary of the team’s back-to-back national title campaigns.
Ringo recorded a pair of interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2021, which led to increased expectations (and plenty of buzz regarding his draft stock) entering last season. The 6-2, 210-pounder once again notched two picks, and added seven PBUs, but his work in coverage led to underwhelming reviews. In a deep cornerback class, Ringo found himself having to wait until Day 3 to hear his name called.
Aside from the long list of college teammates Ringo will have in Philadelphia, the NFC champions represent a positive environment for him to begin his NFL tenure in. The Eagles retained Darius Slay on a two-year deal after appearing to be on the verge of releasing him, and gave fellow CB starter James Bradberry a three-year, $38MM pact. The continued presence of those two veterans will give Philadelphia notable stability in the secondary considering the exodus of several other key players in free agency, and allow Ringo to be brought along slowly as he adapts to the pro game.
With Ringo on the books, here is the final breakdown of the Eagles’ 2023 rookie class:
Round 1, No. 9 (from Bears): Jalen Carter, DT (Georgia) (signed)
Round 1, No. 30: Nolan Smith, LB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 3, No. 65 (from Texans): Tyler Steen, G (Alabama) (signed)
Round 3, No. 66 (from Cardinals): Sydney Brown, S (Illinois) (signed)
Round 4, No. 105 (Texans through Cardinals): Kelee Ringo, CB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 6, No. 188 (from Saints through Texans): Tanner McKee, QB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 7, No. 249 (from Chiefs through Lions): Moro Ojomo, DT (Texas) (signed)
I guess Howie is the only NFL GM that said ‘I have an idea, we’ll draft D players from the very best D 2 years running in college.’. Doesn’t seem to be rocket science, but apparently it is.
Good for Eagles fans. Not all will pan out at the NFL level, but why not draft them?
Right idea wrong, unfinished analysis.
Plenty of teams draft guys from stout defenses in college. Howie seems to be the only one willing to take a chance on chemistry amongst those by drafting college teammates in later rounds.
Plenty of teams pick the best in rounds 1 and 2.
Not a lot of teams are drafting the best players from a defense then drafting old teammates in later rounds.
In consecutive draft years.
I’m not an Eagles lover, but what a draft, you have to like what they did, top shelf