Assessing Eagles' rookie class: Jalen Carter stands out. Is an undrafted player No. 2?

PHILADELPHIA − There is no rhyme or reason to the playing time of the Eagles' rookies.

First-round draft pick Nolan Smith, an edge rusher, can barely get on the field, and that was still the case after the Eagles benched veteran Derek Barnett, in part to give Smith more chances. Smith played nine snaps in the Eagles' 28-23 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

On the other hand, cornerback Eli Ricks, an undrafted free agent, rotates in at nickel corner with another rookie in third-round pick Sydney Brown.

And of course, the Eagles' other first-round pick Jalen Carter has been a force at defensive tackle. He played 68% of the defensive snaps last Sunday, and he played 70% of the snaps against the Rams when Fletcher Cox sat out with a back injury.

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Carter is third on the team with four sacks.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said some rookies are better off essentially redshirting, while others are ready to play right away. Sometimes, circumstances play a role. Sirianni said Smith is "in a deep room" at edge rusher, with Haason Reddick (7½ sacks) and Josh Sweat (6½ sacks) among the top edge rushers in the NFL.

Still, the Eagles have gotten contributions in one form or another from every rookie other than Tanner McKee, the third quarterback who like backup Marcus Mariota has not taken a snap this season.

That includes seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo, a defensive tackle who could get some snaps here and there after the Eagles traded veteran Kentavius Street last week. Ojomo, however, wasn't on the game-day roster against the Cowboys.

"I’m a guy that lives for the opportunities, and hit it out of the park," Ojomo said. "That’s my mindset. I look at life like I’m a hitter, and it’s three balls and two strikes, and I’m swinging the (crap) out of my bat, and I’m going to try to swing for the fences, hit a home run."

Here, then, is a look at each Eagles rookie and what we can expect in the second half of the season:

1st round, Jalen Carter, defensive tackle

Carter has easily been the Eagles' top rookie this season and among the best in the NFL. And he's only just beginning. Carter has been a force in the middle, having an impact in just about every game. Carter's playing time has also increased as the season has gone along. There's no reason why that won't continue in the second half of the season.

Double digits in sacks aren't out of the question for Carter. No Eagles rookie has ever had 10 or more sacks in a season. Corey Simon, with 9½ in 2000, is the closest.

1st round, Nolan Smith, edge rusher

Smith has taken advantage of the few chances he has received. He has one sack, two tackles for losses and five tackles in his 59 total snaps this season.

Smith said he understands the situation.

"Usually, when you come to certain teams, and you look at the roster, you know what’s there," Smith said. "And you know the experience that they have. So I kind of expected this. I’m not afraid of a little challenge, a little competition."

Expect Smith's playing time to increase if Barnett continues to be inactive on game days, perhaps to the 20% range like Brandon Graham. Both Barnett and Graham are in the final year of their contracts, so Smith should have a much bigger role next season.

3rd round, Tyler Steen, offensive lineman

Steen was in the redshirt category. That was still the case when starting right guard Cam Jurgens went on injured reserve last month, with veteran Sua Opeta replacing Jurgens. But Opeta injured his hip and Steen got six snaps in his place on Oct. 29 against Washington. Then Steen started in place of Opeta against the Cowboys.

But Jurgens is expected back when the Eagles face Kansas City on Nov. 20, so Steen will be back in the redshirt program. Still, getting even a little bit of experience could help Steen going into next season. If Jason Kelce retires, then Jurgens will likely take over at center with Steen in the running to start at right guard.

"I think he played pretty good," Sirianni said about Steen. "Obviously, he's going to want plays back. ... You've got to go through some of those adversities to continue to grow as a player."

3rd round, Sydney Brown, safety

Brown is now at nickel corner after the Eagles traded for safety Kevin Byard, and is learning on the fly.

It's expected that veteran Bradley Roby, who has missed the last three games, will take over the nickel spot when he returns, thus cutting into Brown's playing time. Snaps at safety will be scarce as Byard and Reed Blankenship play the entire game, and Justin Evans is expected back from IR at some point.

"It’s all about where I can add value," Brown said. "As a rookie, I’m willing to go and move and play anywhere, and do whatever this team needs to win games."

4th round, Kelee Ringo, cornerback

Ringo is another redshirt player. He's just 21 years old, and he's learning behind veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry. The Eagles have also used Josh Jobe and Ricks on the outside ahead of Ringo. So his playing time is coming on special teams this year.

As for next year, it's possible that one spot will open if either Slay or Bradberry doesn't return. But Ringo will have to show improvement to overtake Jobe and/or Ricks.

"I feel like with how young I am, I definitely have a lot more to go technique-wise, and also scheme," Ringo said. "When I got here (in May), I was just an athlete playing. ... I feel like these past eight weeks, I’ve grown so much."

6th round, Tanner McKee, quarterback

McKee was the star of the preseason for the Eagles as Jalen Hurts was held out of the three games. McKee at least showed the potential to become the backup quarterback next season with Marcus Mariota signed to a one-year contract.

For now, McKee is trying to learn as much as possible. His chance will come next spring and summer.

7th round, Moro Ojomo, defensive tackle

It was surprising when Ojomo was not on the game-day roster against Dallas after the Eagles had traded Street. But Ojomo has shown potential and should get some chances here and there the rest of the season.

Ojomo won't crack the rotation with Fletcher Cox, Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. Ojomo says he's better off learning compared to being thrown in right away.

"There are a lot of teams where guys are being thrown out there ... and they’re getting a ton of load early on in their career," Ojomo said. "(They're) learning from their mistakes while their team is losing, as opposed to we got all these vets showing us exactly how it’s done."

Undrafted, Eli Ricks, cornerback

Ricks has been a pleasant surprise this season, and you can make a case that he's been the Eagles' second-best rookie behind Carter. Ricks made the 53-man roster out of training camp and has filled in both on the outside and at nickel this season. He played more than Brown last Sunday against the Cowboys. There's definitely a role for Ricks on the roster, both this season and beyond.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Philadelphia Eagles rookie class: Who besides Jalen Carter stands out?