5 reasons to worry about the Eagles’ UGA products (and 5 to be patient)

They refurbished their roster. There are two new coordinators. Nick Sirianni has the highest winning percentage of any active NFL head coach. No one cares seemingly. Finger-pointing has gone on all week because the Philadelphia Eagles had no business losing to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.

It doesn't take much for a town called 'Negadelphia' by some of its residents to worry. Those moments make us place performances under microscopes, and this week, there has been plenty of blame to pass around.

Five members of the defensive roster have come from the mighty Georgia Bulldogs. Three were taken during the first round of the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts. You can see where this is headed, right?

Are you worried yet? You wouldn't be alone if you are. Week 3 cometh. It's time to take some inventory on those Dawgs.

Here are the most glaring reasons to be concerned about the Eagles' young Bulldogs (and the reasons you shouldn't lose hope yet).

During his Wednesday sit-down with the media, the first question directed at Nick Sirianni was about his Georgia stars, particularly those taken during the first round.

Coach Sirianni is saying all of the right things, but that isn't a surprise. Here's what he's said publicly: All three guys have flashed. All three have taken their lumps. Nick and his staff still believe in them, but the entire defense must be better.

Here are reasons why we're both excited and skeptical.

Jordan Davis

Reasons for concern:

Jordan Davis probably grades out as a two-down player, excellent for obvious running downs but probably someone who needs to leave the field in obvious passing situations. Unfortunately, however, he hasn't helped in the running game this season, and that isn't what you're looking for in a player taken so high in an NFL Draft.

Then again, if we're talking about rushing defense, he can be neutralized by teams who run outside-zone plays.

The positives:

Most of the questions we had about Jordan Davis were about conditioning and stamina. He has taken his diet and workout regimen more seriously and should be credited.

What he does, he does well. He may not be the unstoppable force yet, but he's certainly the immovable object. Offensive lines have tried to move him off of his spot. It takes two people to do so if it happens.

With more experience, the hope is he can still be a monster. He's never on the ground, and with experience, he can still be more 'boom' than 'bust'.

Nakobe Dean

Reasons for concern:

We know there was that collegiate highlight of him defending a guy in the slot while at UGA. You know the one. He wound up with an interception. He's never going to do that in the NFL, nor should he be asked to attempt such. Currently, his coverage skills are lacking.

He isn't the greatest at play diagnosis, but that's okay. He'll get it, but his biggest obstacle to success is something he can't be coached out of. Nothing can be done about his size, but that's okay. There are other areas where he checks multiple boxes.

The positives:

Nakobe Dean is on his way to being a good starter. He was written off by some after two trips to the injured reserve last season. He returned more focus and EARNED a starting job. There are no concerns about mental toughness here.

He's a thumper and an accomplished downhill tackler. He's fearless, and without question, he's already Philly's best linebacker. There's also still room to grow here.

Jalen Carter

Reasons for concern:

There may be some focus issues here. Though clearly not the monster some tried to paint him as after his NCAA Career, Jalen Carter's work ethic, maturity, and desire have all been called into question. In Week 2, he didn't start because of what's being described as a disciplinary issue.

There are minimal physical concerns with the exception of one... maybe. He isn't massive, and that can lead to him occasionally being manhandled by good interior offensive linemen. See his tape versus Atlanta in Week 2.

He could also use a more diversified array of pass rush moves, but if he puts it all together, watch out.

The positives:

Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell might be the most obvious mentions as young Eagles playing on Philly's defense who could land in the Pro Bowl yearly.

There's so much to compliment that doing so would require we write another story. He's off to a slow start, and yes, Carter loses momentum when trading blows with true heavyweights. Still, he was highly touted for a reason. Philly has a star here. Don't lose patience. We have seen how good he can be at his best.

But, he'll need to check his attitude at the door.

Nolan Smith

Reasons for concern:

Ouch... Nolan Smith... Where do we start? There was the shoulder thing last year. He actually said something to the effect that it works 'sometimes'. Now, we 're in year two, and let's just say people are worried.

Nolan can't overpower anyone at this left, so he'll need to use his speed and athleticism. Unfortunately, we don't see any bend. Then there are the times when aggressiveness works against him. The pass-rush moves are anonymous. There is no speed to power conversion.

Did we mention that people are nervous?

The positives:

If Nolan Smith can somehow shed blocks, he can get to ball carriers in a hurry. He's one of the best athletes on this team regardless of position, but there's a chance that he isn't being utilized correctly. How else do you explain someone with so much raw talent being so limited in his production?

It will take the right scheme to free him and some imagination to determine the best ways to use him. One can argue the struggles he has seen so far are to be blamed on coaches who haven't found ways to deploy him.

He plays with a team-first mindset. He's mature and intellectual. We've seen him collegiately shine while playing sideline to sideline. There are all the makings of a possible game-wrecker here, but again, his success might come down to coaching and a change in his role.

Kelee Ringo

Reasons for concern:

The sample size for Kelee Ringo has been small, but most of what we have seen has proven he belongs at the NFL level. Here's what we have also learned.

Philly just has guys playing the position who are better, so it's hard to label any 'problem areas' other than the expected signs that come from inexperience. We'll just label him, right now, as raw.

The positives:

Here's something encouraging about Kelee. Again, the sample size is small, but when he have seen him play, he has looked very good and very comfortable with the role he has been asked to perform.

There is that one exception. There was that personal-foul penalty versus the Dallas Cowboys during his rookie season in Arlington.

He has elite size and speed for an outside corner. He can backpedal, and no one can run away from him. Anticipation could be better. So could some of his body control, but there's more to be happy about than there is to criticize here!

Verdict: Sometimes, it takes longer for some guys. We all acknowledge that quarterbacks need their reps. So, why do we sometimes assume defenders are plug-and-play guys who will always have an immediate impact?

Here's the thing. The first-rounders all have to step up, but so far, the evidence shows that there's only one star here. That star is Jalen Carter, but he's off to a slow start.

Nolan Smith needs to be moved to another position. He's an edge rusher who may benefit more by being an off-ball linebacker a la Zack Baun, but Jordan Davis probably 'is what he is'.

He's a space eater, a stop-gap who won't give this team much as a pass rusher. That means he MUST contribute on running downs. We'll see about Nakobe Dean and Kelee Ringo.

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