Dallas Cowboys star defender Micah Parsons was “sick to his stomach” and almost walked off set of a live draft show Thursday when the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Carter with the ninth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

I wonder how he felt when an already good defense got even better with the 30th selection when the Eagles drafted another University of Georgia standout in linebacker Nolan Smith, an amazing pick by Howie Roseman and company. Actually, the first round was an A+ for Roseman, and I have not said that often.

The Eagles needed a defensive tackle after losing Javon Hargrave, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph. The Eagles moved up one spot and grabbed their guy in Carter, someone who they wanted to target anyway. The Eagles needed a lineback after losing T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. The Eagles drafted Smith, a monster who should have not fallen to the 30th pick. 

Smith played only eight games last season, missing the final six after undergoing pectoral surgery. But in the games he played, he made 18 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks. In Smith’s career, the 6-foot-2, 238-pound Smith played in 46 games (started 23 starts) and had 114 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four passes defensed and an interception.

I don’t know why he fell so far. There were no injury concerns around the league, Roseman noted in his press conference after Thursday’s first round. So, no rhyme or reason to why Smith fell. Rumors had the Eagles taking Smith with their 10th pick. The Smith pick strengthens the defense, and now with four former Georgia defenders (Smith, Carter, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean) with previous chemistry helping lead the unit, all I can say is watch out. All four played together on the 2022 National Championship team, and Carter andSmith helped Georgia win the title this past season.

“An incredible person,” Roseman said of Smith. “Obviously, you (have) unbelievable traits in his body, a leader, and a winner. So, for us, we’re fielding calls at that time, and I think coach (Nick Sirianni) and I kinda just looked at each other and said, ‘This is the guy.’ We didn’t want to get too cute and we are excited to add him.”

According to NFL.com,  Smith plays like Hasson Reddick. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, the second-fastest among edge rushers at the event since 2003.  He posted 1.52 seconds in the 10-mile split, 10 feet, 8 inches in the broad jump and 41.5 inches in the vertical jump, which were all top-5 numbers in his position group. 

The pick was a steal and a no-brainer at 30. Smith might be a rotational player in 2023 with starter Reddick and Josh Sweat in the mix. Still, he adds incredible depth to a defense that just posted 70 sacks and made the Super Bowl. 

Hopefully the good picks keep coming Friday when the second round starts at 7 p.m.