Fans tend to throw around the “bust” label far too early when highly-drafted players struggle to make an immediate impact. For Eagles’ EDGE Nolan Smith Jr., it was mostly opportunity — not talent — that led to a second-rate rookie season for the former first-round draft pick.
In 2023, Smith appeared in all 17 games for Philadelphia, but the former No. 31 overall pick had few chances to make plays. He was firmly No. 4 in Philly’s EDGE rotation behind Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. Smith never saw double-digit snaps on defense until Week 12, and he finished that season with just one sack and nine total QB pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.