Back when Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter were drafted in consecutive first rounds by Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, the addition of a third Georgia Bulldogs defender late in the first round of the 2023 draft, Nolan Smith, was almost lost in the shuffle in a way.
And while both Carter and Davis have emerged as two of the top interior defenders in the game, Smith has struggled to make an impact amid injuries and inconsistent play. Brief flashes of upside have been bogged down by lulls in production and various ailments, leaving Smith's future in Philadelphia, where he is currently signed through the 2027 season, truly up in the air.
However, with the pectoral injury to key free agent addition Jonathan Greenard, Smith has the ideal opportunity to start fresh and prove he was worthy of that first-round price tag with a massive Week 1 showing against Washington.
Commanders Tackle situation could spell success for Eagles' Nolan Smith
The injury suffered by starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil leaves Brandon Coleman starting on the blindside of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. Over on the right side, second-year man Josh Conerly Jr. starts at tackle. The 22-year-old from the University of Oregon is plenty athletic but prone to mistakes. Conerly Jr. surrendered 8 sacks while starting all 17 games as a rookie, while also being flagged for 13 penalties.
For Smith (10.5 career sacks, three in 2025), who has not yet ventured into the opposing backfield enough to warrant a new long-term deal, this is the type of matchup that can flip the script and help show he does, in fact, belong in Philadelphia long-term.
Coleman and Conerly Jr. are vulnerable at both tackle spots, each susceptible to getting beat early and often in this Week 1 showdown in a hostile environment at The Linc. And at the other edge spot for Philadelphia, Jalyx Hunt could be headed for a huge season-opening performance.
Smith has been recognized for his strong play against the run, and the pressure rate he has generated in the pass rush has flirted with Hunt's output, but his health and consistency have not. Greenard was brought in and immediately signed to a long-term deal, and Hunt has been pegged as a breakout star in the making.
Meanwhile, just like back when he was drafted, Smith is flying relatively under the radar.
Read more: Eagles' vaunted defensive line tandem takes aim at Commanders in Week 1
All that can change in a hurry, though, and the opportunity at hand in Week 1 couldn't be better for the former Georgia star to prove the critics wrong.
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