2018 Draft Preview – Day 3

Day 3 is finally here. The Eagles actually have some picks to work with.

The team added TE Dallas Goedert yesterday, giving them another offensive weapon. That also was an area of need due to the departure of Brent Celek and Trey Burton. With TE out of the way, where should the Eagles be looking today?

They could use: RB, CB, S, OL, DL, LB, WR

Unfortunately there are only 4 picks. I think the team should make sure to add a CB and RB. They don’t have to address those areas in the 4th necessarily, but it would be good to add talent there today.

Let’s look at the players that the Eagles will have to choose from.

4th Round

QB: Kyle Lauletta

RB: Mark Walton, Nyheim Hines, Jaylen Samuels, Kalen Ballage

WR: DaeSean Hamilton, Equanimeous St. Brown, Deon Cain, Daurice Fountain, J’Mon Moore

TE: Durham Smythe, Chris Herndon

OL: Tyrell Crosby, Jamarco Jones, Colby Gossett, Cole Madison, Will Clapp

DE: Josh Sweat, DaShawn Hand, Duke Ejiofor, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Jalyn Holmes, Hercules Mata’afa

DT: Tim Settle, Poona Ford, Trenton Thompson, Foley Fatukasi

LB: Shaquem Griffin, Joel Iyiegbuniwe

IB: Josey Jewell, Andre Smith, Mike McCray

S: Dane Cruikshank, Siran Neal, Marcus Allen

CB: Anthony Averett, Avontae Maddox, Quenton Meeks, Davontae Harris, Darius Phillips, Grant Haley, Tony Brown

5th Round

QB:

RB: Bo Scarborough, John Kelly

WR: Byron Pringle, Marcell Ateman, Keke Coutee, , Dylan Cantrell, Justin Watson, Braxton Berrios, Allen Lazard, Deontay Burnett

TE: Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin, Troy Fumagalli

OL: Wyatt Teller, Tony Adams, Skyler Phillips, Scott Quessenberry, Bradley Bozeman, Brian Allen

DE: Ade Aruna, Dorance Armstrong

DT: R.J. McIntosh, Kendrick Norton, Andrew Brown, James Looney

LB: Matthew Thomas, Azeem Victor, Leon Jacobs

IB: Jack Cichy, Skai Moore, Micah Kiser , Tegray Scales, Genard Avery

S: Deshon Elliott, Damon Webb, Quin Blanding, Kyzir White

CB: Tarvarus McFadden, Kevin Toliver, Holton Hill, Christian Campbell, Taron Johnson

The Picks

4 – 125
4 – 130
6 – 206
7 – 250

Guys of particular interest in the 4th

RB Mark Walton – An ankle injury limited him in 2017, but this kid is a gifted RB who can also block and catch. I don’t know if he can start in the NFL, but it wouldn’t shock me. Lacks ideal size, but isn’t a finesse runner. Can break tackles. Has good balance. Elusive as well. Would be good part of a RB rotation in the NFL.

RB Jaylen Samuels – Mr Versatility. I could see Joe Douglas loving this guy. Has good size at 5-11, 223. Played TE and RB at NC State. Had 78 carries as a Senior, but still ran for 12 TDs. More than 200 career catches. I think he’s a RB in the NFL, but would be an offensive weapon for the coaches to use creatively. Also has KOR ability.  

DE Duke Ejiofor – Stud DE. Not an explosive player, but absolutely relentless in pursuit of the ball. Had 24 career sacks and seemed to live behind the line of scrimmage. The Eagles love disruptive DL and Ejiofor is as disruptive as they come.

OT Tyrell Crosby – I had him rated as a 2nd round prospect. There are some reports of a possible medical issue. Pac-12 OL of the Year. Solid pass protector who plays with a nasty streak. I think he could be a starting LT in the future.

CB Avonte Maddox – I love this guy. 5-9, 184, but plays bigger than that. Played in the slot and outside at Pitt. Playmaker who does everything at 100 mph. Very confident and aggressive. Jim Schwartz would love this guy’s demeanor. Convinced he’s the best player on the field, which is a good trait in a DB. You need those guys to play with swagger and be fearless. Maddox could compete for the nickel spot right away.

CB Grant Haley –  Similar to Maddox in size and ability, but not quite as athletic. Also not as emotional. Still a really good player who could come in and challenge for the nickel spot as a rookie.

DT Foley Fotukasi – Big, powerful DT who can shed blocks, but is also athletic enough to make plays and get to the QB.

DT Trenton Thompson – Didn’t make a lot of plays at UGA as a Senior, but has a great motor. Had 5 sacks in 2016.

OG Colby Gossett – Yes he went to Appalachian State, which is my alma mater. But this kid is a legit pro prospect. He was terrific at the Senior Bowl, after a great career at ASU. He is 6-5, 311 and the Eagles love OL with some size. Gossett is a solid athlete. Might be able to play some OT in an emergency.

*****

VISITS / WORKOUTS INFO

Visits to Philly

RB Derrius Guice – LSU
RB Rashaad Penny – San Diego State
RB Ronald Jones – USC
WR Daurice Fountain – Northern Iowa
WR Courtland Sutton – SMU
TE Chris Herndon – Miami
OT Chukwuma Okorafor- Western Michigan
OT Connor Williams – Texas
OT Jamil Demby – Maine
OC James Daniels – Iowa

DE Uchenna Nwosu – USC
DE Kemoko Turay – Rutgers
LB Leighton Vander Esch – BYU
LB Darius Leonard – South Carolina State
LB Jermaine Carter Jr. – Maryland
LB Rashaan Evans – Alabama
S Justin Reid – Stanford
S Ronnie Harrison – Alabama
S Jeremy Reaves – South Alabama
CB Donte Jackson – LSU
CB Mike Hughes – UCF
CB Jaire Alexander – Louisville
CB Isaiah Oliver – Colorado
CB Tremon Smith – Central Arkansas

Pro Days

OT Orlando Brown – Oklahoma – OL coach worked him out at Pro Day
OT Chukwuma Okorafor – WMU – Jeff Stoutland worked him out at Pro Day
OT Mike McGlinchey – Notre Dame – Asst OL coach Eugene Chung worked him out at his Pro Day
OT Jamil Demby – Maine – Asst OL coach T.J. Paganetti worked him out at his Pro Day
OT Mattias Rankin – Mississippi State – Jeff Stoutland at his Pro Day
OT Matt Gono – Wesley – scout at his Pro Day…visit in Philly for local pro day
OT Brandon Parker – NC A&T – Private workout
OT Matt Diaz – Wagner – private workout

OG Austin Corbett – Nevada – OL coach at his Pro Day
OG Will Hernandez – UTEP – OL coach worked him out at his Pro Day
OG Quenton Nelson – Notre Dame – Asst OL coach Eugene Chung worked him out at his Pro Day
OG Tony Adams – NC State – Private workout

OC Tanner Stallings – UTEP – OL coach worked him out at his Pro Day

TE Tyler Conklin – Central Michigan – TE coach at his Pro Day
TE Hayden Hurst – South Carolina – TE coach at his Pro Day
TE Durham Smythe – Notre Dame – TE coach Justin Peelle worked him out at his Pro Day
TE David Wells – San Diego State – Eagles will work him out
TE Ben Johnson – Kansas – Eagles showing interest
TE Dallas Goedert – South Dakota State – TE coach Justin Peelle worked him out at his Pro Day

WR J’Mon Moore – Missouri – Says he is “receiving interest from the Eagles”
WR Christian Kirk – Texas A&M – WRs coach Gunter Brewer worked him out at Pro Day
WR Courtland Sutton – SMU – Eagles to meet with him before Pro Day
WR D.J. Moore – Maryland – private workout
WR Anthony Miller – WRs coach at his Pro Day
WR Qadree Henderson – Pitt – Eagles showing interest
WR Korey Robertson – Southern Miss – Eagles showing interest

RB Nyheim Hines – NC State – Duce Staley at his Pro Day
RB Jaylen Samuels – NC State – Duce Staley at his Pro Day
RB Kalen Ballage – Arizona State – Duce Staley at his Pro Day
RB Sony Michel – Georgia – Duce Staley worked him out at his Pro Day
RB Nick Chubb – Georgia – Duce Staley w0rked him out at his Pro Day
RB Trent Cannon – Virginia State – scout worked him out at Pro Day
RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Eagles showing interest

QB Kyle Lauletta – Richmond – Press Taylor at his Pro Day…also a private workout

RS/WR Braxton Berrios – Miami – Eagles scout worked him out at Pro Day

***

DE Kentavious Street – NC State – DL coach Phillip Daniels at his Pro Day
DE Rasheem Green – USC – DL coach Chris Wilson worked him out at his Pro Day
DE Josh Sweat – Florida State – DL coach Chris Wilson worked him out at his Pro Day
DE Harold Landry – Boston College – Jim Schwartz was at his Pro Day
DE Joe Ostman – Central Michigan – Showing interest
DE Cavon Walker – Maryland – Met with him at his Pro Day

DT Nathan Shepard – Fort Hays State – DL coach worked him out at Pro Day
DT Tim Settle – Virginia Tech – DL coach worked him out at Pro Day
DT Joshua Frazier – Alabama – met with him
DT B.J. Hill – NC State – DL coach Phillip Daniels at his Pro Day
DT Justin Jones – NC State – DL coach Phillip Daniels at his Pro Day
DT Josh Fatu – USC – DL coach Chris Wilson was at his Pro Day
DT John Atkins – Georgia – DL coach Phillip Daniels at his Pro Day
DT Trenton Thompson – Georgia – DL coach Phillip Daniels at his Pro Day
DT Derrick Nnadi – Florida State – DL coach Chris Wilson worked him out at his Pro Day
DT Tracy Sprinkle – Ohio State – talked to him at his Pro Day
DT P.J. Hall – Sam Houston State – campus workout
DT McKay Murphy – Weber State – son of Dale Murphy…Eagles met with him at Pro Day
DT Taven Bryan – Florida – DL coach Chris Wilson worked him out at Pro Day
DT Maurice Hurst – Michigan – asst DL coach Phillip Daniels worked him out at his Pro Day
DT Julian Taylor – Temple – private visit
DT Bilal Nichols – Delaware – private workout

LB Nate Cichy – Wisconsin – LB coach at his Pro Day
LB Jaylyin Minor – Cincinnati – interviewed by multiple Eagles scouts at all star game
LB Uchenna Nwosu – USC – extensive interview at his Pro Day…DL coach was there
LB Nick DeLuca – North Dakota State – Private workout
LB Leighton Vander Esch – Boise State – LBs coach worked him out at his Pro Day

S Jordan Brown – James Madison – Eagles showing interest
S Natrell Jamerson – Wisconsin – Eagles showing interest

CB Chandon Sullivan – Georgia State – coach at his Pro Day
CB Tremon Smith – Central Arkansas – met with him before his Pro Day
CB Trey Johnson – Villanova – met with him at his Pro Day
CB Josh Jackson – Iowa – Eagles showing lots of interest per Tony Pauline
CB Malik Reaves – Villanova – private visit or workout

LOCAL PRO DAY

RB Ray Lawry – Old Dominion
P Ryan Anderson – Rutgers

SMALL SCHOOLS

James Madison – scout at Pro Day
Maine – scout at Pro Day
Missouri Western – scout at Pro Day
Fairmont State – scout at Pro Day

Do visits and workouts matter? Heck yes. The Eagles brought in Derek Barnett last year. They brought in Shelton Gibson as well, so this isn’t all about 1st round picks either. This stuff definitely matters.

One key point…not every visit or workout gets leaked before the draft. Always keep that in mind.

*****

ALL TOMMY TEAM 

(my favorite non-1st round players)

QB Mason Rudolph – Oklahoma State
RB  Jaylen Samuels – NC State
WR  James Washington – Oklahoma State
WR  DaeSean Hamilton – Penn State
WR  Byron Pringle – Kansas State
TE  Durham Smythe – Notre Dame
OT  Jamil Demby – Maine
OG  Colby Gosseett – Appalachian State
OC  Will Clapp – LSU
OG  Braden Smith – Auburn
OT  Brandon Parker – NC A&T

DE  Uchenna Nwosu – USC
DT  Foley Fatukasi – UConn
DT  Trenton Thompson – Georgia
DE  Marquis Haynes – Ole Miss
LB  Fred Warner – BYU
LB  Josey Jewell – Iowa
LB  Darius Leonard – SC State
S  Siran Neal – Jacksonville State
S  Marcus Allen – Penn State
CB  Avonte Maddox – Pitt
CB  M.J. Stewart – UNC

***

Please draft a couple of these players

WR Christian Kirk
WR Dante Pettis
TE Durham Smythe
OT Jamil Demby
OT Brandon Parker
OG Colby Gossett
RB Sony Michel
RB Jaylen Samuels

DE Justin Lawler
DT P.J. Hall
DT Foley Fatukasi
LB Andre Smith
LB Jack Cichy
S Siran Neal
S Trayvon Henderson
S Jeremy Reaves
CB M.J. Stewart
CB Avonte Maddox
CB Grant Haley

Please avoid these players

DE Tyquan Lewis – Talented, but highly inconsistent.
OT Kolton Miller – Huge and talented, but a project as well. Not worth a 1st rounder.
DE Rasheem Green – I don’t get the hype.
OT Chukwuma Okorafor – Tons of potential, but too erratic for me.
TE Mike Gesicki – I love him as a prospect, just not for the Eagles. Essentially he’s a giant WR. Eagles need a TE.

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