Eagles select latest Georgia Bulldogs defender on Day 3 of NFL Draft

Ryan OLeary

Eagles select latest Georgia Bulldogs defender on Day 3 of NFL Draft image

The Philadelphia Eagles have added yet another ’Dawg for Vic Fangio’s defense. Bulldog, that is.

GM Howie Roseman added to his collection of former Georgia Bulldogs defenders by making linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. his latest addition to the Eagles’ roster.

Philly entered the weekend with seven former Georgia players under contract, most notably Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Nakobe Dean and Azeez Ojulari.The addition of Mondon at pick No. 161 overall makes it eight (and counting), and all of those players are defenders.

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Mondon slipped to Day 3 due in part to a foot injury, and the Eagles were happy to recoup some value on a player who could have been a Day 2 pick if fully healthy. He spent four seasons at Georgia, led the team in tackles in 2022, and was an All-SEC selection in 2023.

Mondon could have some immediate opportunity as a rookie, as Dean is expected to miss most (if not all) of the 2025 season as he recovers from a torn patellar tendon suffered in late January.

The Eagles landed star Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in Round 1 of this draft, but he’s best deployed off the ball and could transition to EDGE rusher. If that plays out, Mondon will compete with players like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Dallas Gant for reps in training camp.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.