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Howie Roseman’s ability to construct championship-caliber rosters has made him one of the most successful general managers in NFL history.
The Eagles, under his leadership, have reached three Super Bowls in eight years, making him only the 11th GM to accomplish this feat with the same franchise. Unlike most front offices that rely on a long-term quarterback-coach pairing, Roseman has continuously reshaped Philadelphia’s roster, showing an unmatched ability to identify talent, manipulate the salary cap, and leverage draft capital to keep the Eagles in contention.
Howie Roseman’s ability to construct championship-caliber rosters has made him one of the most successful general managers in NFL history.
Roseman’s draft philosophy blends aggression, calculated risks, and a keen eye for value, often acquiring top-tier talent by trading up or taking advantage of player slides. His approach to roster-building has been widely praised, with former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff highlighting Roseman’s intelligence, confidence, and willingness to surround himself with top football minds. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to operate in the NFL’s “information ecosystem,” staying ahead of league trends and ensuring that no opportunity to improve the roster is overlooked.
Since 2021, Football Scout 365 has tracked Roseman’s draft strategy and graded prospects using an evolving NFL Draft grading scale. This system has proven to be highly predictive of success, and several of the Eagles’ most impactful players since 2021 were among the highest-graded prospects on our board. Below, we highlight the top-graded Eagles draft picks from our system and how they have performed.
The Eagles’ Top-Graded Players From Our Board Since 2021
Jalen Carter | IDL | Georgia | 2023 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 9
Pre-Draft Grade: Near Elite (70-74) – This grade indicates a player with high-level physical tools and instincts, expected to make an immediate impact and develop into a dominant force in the NFL.
Summary Analysis
Roseman’s ability to capitalize on draft-day slides was evident when he secured Carter, the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the 2023 class, outside the top five. With elite power, quickness, and technical skill, Carter made an immediate impact, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors with 6 sacks, 33 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles as a rookie. He took another step forward in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks, 67 tackles, and 3 forced fumbles, solidifying himself as one of the league’s premier interior disruptors. Carter’s dominance reinforced Roseman’s philosophy of building through the trenches, ensuring the Eagles remained among the NFL’s most feared defensive fronts.
DeVonta Smith | WR | Alabama | 2021 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 10
Pre-Draft Grade: Near Elite (70-74) – This grade indicates a player with high-level physical tools and instincts, expected to make an immediate impact and develop into a dominant force in the NFL.
Summary Analysis
Despite concerns over his 6'0", 170-pound frame, Roseman prioritized Smith’s elite route-running and hands over size. The move paid off, as Smith quickly became the Eagles’ most consistent receiver, recording 308 receptions, 4,011 yards, and 27 touchdowns over four seasons. His back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 established him as one of the NFL’s most reliable playmakers. In 2024, his production earned him a three-year, $75 million extension, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the Eagles' offense. Roseman’s decision to trade up for Smith proved to be a franchise-altering move, reinforcing his ability to balance positional value with elite talent acquisition.
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo | 2024 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 22
Pre-Draft Grade: Near Elite (70-74) – This grade indicates a player with high-level physical tools and instincts, expected to make an immediate impact and develop into a dominant force in the NFL.
Summary Analysis
Roseman aggressively addressed Philadelphia’s declining secondary in 2024, securing Mitchell, one of the best press-man specialists in the draft. With a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and a 6'0", 193-pound frame, Mitchell’s speed and coverage skills translated instantly. As a rookie, he started all 16 games, recording 46 tackles and 12 pass deflections. His ability to shut down top receivers has quickly validated Roseman’s investment in revitalizing the secondary, proving that his strategy of pairing elite physical tools with defensive scheme fits was a winning formula.
Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa | 2024 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 40
Pre-Draft Grade: Near Elite (70-74) – This grade indicates a player with high-level physical tools and instincts, expected to make an immediate impact and develop into a dominant force in the NFL.
Summary Analysis
DeJean entered the draft as one of the most versatile defensive backs, excelling in zone coverage, off-man schemes, and as a returner. Roseman saw an opportunity to pair Mitchell with another high-IQ defensive back to completely overhaul the Eagles' secondary. At 6'0", 198 pounds, DeJean’s instincts and ball skills made him a second-round steal. As a rookie, he played in 16 games (9 starts), recording 51 tackles, 6 pass deflections, and 3 fumble recoveries. His immediate production validated Roseman’s philosophy of maximizing value in the draft, as DeJean and Mitchell now form one of the best young secondaries in the league.
Nolan Smith | EDGE | Georgia | 2023 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 30Pre-Draft Grade: Near Elite (70-74) – This grade indicates a player with high-level physical tools and instincts, expected to make an immediate impact and develop into a dominant force in the NFL.
Summary Analysis
Smith’s 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 6'2", 238 pounds showcased his elite explosiveness, but concerns over his size caused him to slip to the end of the first round. Roseman, known for betting on high-upside athletes, seized the opportunity to add an elite pass-rushing talent to Philadelphia’s defensive rotation. After a quiet rookie year, Smith broke out in 2024 with 6.5 sacks, 42 tackles, and 11 quarterback hits, proving to be a disruptive force. His strong postseason performance further reinforced Roseman’s long-term vision, showing that Smith could develop into one of the league’s premier edge defenders.
Jordan Davis | IDL | Georgia | 2022 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 13
Pre-Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential (65-69) – This grade projects a player to become a quality starter within two to three years, with elite traits in specific areas but some developmental concerns.
Summary Analysis
Davis entered the NFL as a dominant run-stopper with rare size and athleticism. At 6'6", 336 pounds, he ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, an unprecedented combination of power and mobility for an interior defensive lineman. Roseman prioritized reinforcing the defensive front, and Davis fit the mold of a game-changing run defender. After earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, he took a significant leap in 2024, recording 85 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4 pass deflections. His ability to control the line of scrimmage has been instrumental in maintaining the Eagles’ defensive dominance, further proving Roseman’s emphasis on elite trench play.
Landon Dickerson | IOL | Alabama | 2021 NFL Draft
Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 37
Pre-Draft Grade: High-End Starter Potential (65-69) – This grade projects a player to become a quality starter within two to three years, with elite traits in specific areas but some developmental concerns.
Summary Analysis
Roseman’s ability to find value in the draft was on full display when he selected Dickerson in the second round despite concerns over his extensive injury history. A dominant interior blocker with experience at multiple positions, Dickerson won the Rimington Trophy in 2020 as the nation’s best center and was regarded as one of the most intelligent linemen in his class. Since taking over as the Eagles’ starting left guard in 2021, he has developed into a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s elite offensive line. His impact was immediate, helping the team reach Super Bowl LVII in his second season. By 2024, he had earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and solidified his place as one of the best guards in football. His dominance in both pass protection and run blocking led to a four-year, $84 million contract extension in 2024, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history.
Howie Roseman The Architect
Roseman’s strategic drafting and ability to manipulate the draft board have been central to the Eagles’ sustained success. By identifying elite talent, making aggressive draft-day moves, and trusting the development process, he has built one of the most complete rosters in football. The players above—graded highly by Football Scout 365’s evolving scouting system—serve as a testament to both Roseman’s vision and the accuracy of our grading scale.
As the Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LIX, the foundation of this championship-contending team can be traced directly to Roseman’s draft mastery. If Philadelphia lifts the Lombardi Trophy, it will be yet another validation of his ability to construct a Super Bowl-caliber roster through elite drafting, trades, and calculated risks.