Eagles could enjoy fistfights with these rookies during 2023 NFL season

The interior of the Eagles’ offensive line will have its hands full with Calijah Kancey and Mazi Smith in 2023.

Former Pitt star Calijah Kancey landed on the Eagles’ roster several times during the mock draft season. He did so as both a top-ten selection and as Philly’s presumed choice at 30.

Some believe he was set up to fail with all of those comparisons to Aaron Donald. We can see where they come from. Both played for the Panthers. Both were criticized for being ‘undersized’.

While it’s easy to ask about what happens if he doesn’t meet expectations, here’s another question that we may need to ask more often. What if he exceeds expectations and becomes an NFL star?

Mazi Smith was universally seen as one of the top five interior defensive linemen prospects on everyone’s draft board this past April. Some believe he was the Cowboys’ second choice (more on that later), but he does satisfy a need they had before the selection meeting. Dallas desperately needed help along the interior of the defensive line.

Smith, at six-foot-three and 323 pounds, isn’t much of a pass rusher. Still, with the Eagles playing the Cowboys twice annually and with all of their games being so intense, every yard will matter. Smith’s presence could be important to Dallas which makes his name one that Philadelphia must circle.