2019 Eagles Draft Preview – Day 3

Day 3 of the NFL Draft is here.

The picks:

4 – 138
5 – 163

Needs:

MLB is wide open right now. I doubt the Eagles will draft their 2019 starter, but that is a position they could target.

The Eagles are talented at safety, but also old. They could use a young player to develop for 2020.

This is a great DL class. The Eagles need depth at DT. They might need depth at DE, depending on Chris Long. They need youth at both spots.

RG Brandon Brooks is rehabbing an Achilles injury so guard could use some depth. Center too.

Depth Chart

I’m only listing players that I think have a realistic shot at making the roster in 2019.

WR  Alshon Jeffery ..… J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
WR  DeSean Jackson … Mack Hollins …..Shelton Gibson
WR  Nelson Agholor … Braxton Miller
QB  Carson Wentz ….. Nate Sudfeld
RB  Jordan Howard … Miles Sanders ….. Corey Clement ..… Wendell Smallwood
TE  Zach Ertz …….… Dallas Goedert …….. Richard Rodgers
LT  Jason Peters …….… Andre Dillard
LG  Isaac Seumalo …… Jordan Mailata
OC  Jason Kelce
RG  Brandon Brooks … Matt Pryor
RT  Lane Johnson …… Halapoulivaati Vaitai

DE  Brandon Graham …. Chris Long ??? … Josh Sweat
DT  Fletcher Cox ……….. Treyvon Hester
DT  Marlin Jackson …….Tim Jernigan ………. Bruce Hector
DE  Derek Barnett ……… Vinny Curry
WB Kamu Grugier-Hill ….. Nate Gerry
MB Paul Worrilow …….. L.J. Fort
SB  Nigel Bradham ………
SS  Malcolm Jenkins …… Andrew Sendejo
FS  Rodney McLeod ….. Tre Sullivan
CB  Ronald Darby  ……. Rasul Douglas
CB  Jalen Mills  …………. Avonte Maddox
NB  Sidney Jones ……… Cre’Von LeBlanc

P Cameron Johnston
K Jake Elliott
LS Rick Lovato

Eagles Draft Interest

Top 30 Visits (removed picked players)

S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – Florida
CB Amani Oruwariye – Penn State
CB Isaiah Johnson – Houston

OL Hjalte Froholdt – Arkansas
RB Karan Higdon – Michigan
RB Darrell Henderson – Memphis
RB Justice Hill – Oklahoma State

Pro Days / Workouts

OT Martez Ivey – Florida – Met with him
OT Isaiah Prince – Ohio State – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT David Edwards – Wisconsin – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT Oli Udoh – Elon – Private workout
OG Lester Cotton – Alabama – Jeff Stoutland worked him out at his Pro Day
OG Iosua Opeta – Weber State – Asst OL coach worked him out at his Pro Day
OG Michael Jordan – Ohio State – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OG Demetrius Knox – Ohio State – Met with him at his Pro Day
OG Beau Benzschawel – Wisconsin – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OC Ross Pierschbacher – Alabama – Jeff Stoutland worked him out at his Pro Day
OC Nate Trewyn – Wisconsin-Whitewater – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day (UW)
TE Trevon Wesco – West Virginia – Met with him at his Pro Day
TE Dax Raymond – Utah State – TE coach at his Pro Day
WR Corey Contini – Ohio Dominican – Eagles scout talked to him at his Pro Day
RB Trayveon Williams – Texas A&M – Coach at his Pro Day
RB Travis Homer – Miami – Duce Staley worked him out at his Pro Day
RB Tony Pollard – Memphis – Duce Staley worked him out at his Pro Day
RB Darwin Thompson – Utah State – Private workout
QB Tyree Jackson – Buffalo – Assistant coach at his Pro Day

DE Austin Bryant – Clemson – DL coach at his Pro Day
DE Ahmad Gooden – Samford – Showing some interest
DE Porter Gustin – USC – Scout worked him out at his Pro Day
DE Titus Davis – UCF – DL coach at his Pro Day
DE Gerri Green – Miss State – Asst coach worked him out at his Pro Day
DE Maxx Crosby – Eastern Michigan – Scout worked him out at his Pro Day
DE Wyatt Ray – Boston College – Asst coach worked him out at his Pro Day
DT Albert Huggins – Clemson – DL coach at his Pro Day
DT Braxton Hoyett – Miss State – Asst coach worked him out at his Pro Day
LB Emeke Egbule – Houston – Private workout
LB Kaden Ellis – Idaho – LB coach saw him work out at Utah Pro Day
LB Connor Strachan – Boston College – Asst coach worked him out at his Pro Day
CB Rashard Causey – UCF – Scout met with him at his Pro Day

The Eagles have worked out plenty of local prospects. I don’t have all of them listed because it is so hard to gauge just how much interest there is. A player from Temple can visit the Eagles and doesn’t count against their limit of 30 because he’s local.

Some misc thoughts…

The Eagles have talked about wanting to add a young QB almost every year. I doubt they draft anyone this season. The only QB they’ve shown specific interest in is Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson. I do think he’d be ideal for the Eagles, but he’s likely to go around the third round. That’s not good value for this team.

The Eagles have checked out a lot of tweeners. Usually that means DE/LB types. This year that means DE/DT types.

Rashan Gary 6-4, 276
L.J. Collier 6-2, 283
Jaylon Ferguson 6-5, 271
Zach Allen 6-4, 279
Austin Bryant 6-4, 271
Kyle Phillips 6-4, 277

There are others who fit this and the Eagles have seen at all-star games or the Combine

Charles Omenihu 6-5, 280
John Cominsky 6-5, 286
Jonathan Ledbetter 6-4, 280
Kingsley Keke 6-3, 288

The Eagles had Adam Gotsis (6-4, 287) rated highly back in the 2016 draft. He went in the second round to Denver. They have looked at some tweeners the past two years, but this year they seem more interested than ever. Essentially you would be getting a big DE with pass rushing experience and moving them to DT. A lot of colleges now use 3-man fronts so you have these big DEs or undersized DTs who get a chance to play a different role. They have to be strong vs the run, but also athletic enough to be an OT to the QB.

It will be interesting to see if the Eagles take one of these guys, and if so, how early.

The Eagles have shown interest in return specialists. Mecole Hardman and Diontae Johnson came to Philly for visits. Both are speedy receivers, but also dynamic returners. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles add a RS on Day 3.

WHAT HAPPENS ON DAY 3?

The Eagles are going to focus on the draft board and adding the best talent available. I’m sure they’ll target S, LB and DL, but only if the value matches up. They could still add an interior OL. They could add another RB. They could even go for a TE.

Here are some guys I’d love in the 4th round.

S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – I had him rated as a first rounder. Apparently some of his interviews didn’t go well and soured teams on him. Worth the risk at this point.

DE Maxx Crosby – Highly productive and athletic. Would be an ideal fit for Eagles scheme.

DE Charles Omenihu – Can play DE or DT. Had 9.5 sacks last year for Texas. Excellent size at 6-5, 280.

LB Mack Wilson – Playmaking MLB from Alabama. Good value at this point and the Eagles could use a talented, young LB to add to the mix.

LB Blake Cashman – Led Minnesota in tackles and then had a great showing at the Combine. Gifted athlete could play outside or in the middle.

IB David Long – I could see Jim Schwartz loving him. Long is only 5-11, 227, but plays bigger than that. Big 12 Def Player of the Year. Led WVU in tackles.

DT Byron Cowart – Played DE at Maryland, but would be an ideal 3-tech in the NFL. Moves well for a big man.

DT Kingsley Keke – Played DE at Texas A&M, but would be an ideal 3-tech in the NFL. Has some flashes on tape where he looks great. Had 7.5 sacks last year.

***

And now for the 5th round.

OL Hjalte Froholdt – Played G and C at Arkansas. Good athlete with the kind of movement skills the Eagles like in their blockers. Solid size at 6-5, 306.

DL Kyle Phillips – Had underwhelming career at Tennessee, but is a gifted athlete and has good potential. Can play DE or DT. 6-4, 277. Played well at the Shrine Game.

LB Emeke Egbule – Big, physical, athletic LB from Houston. Played all over. Can cover, rush the passer and play the run. Needs work, but has excellent potential.

LB T.J. Edwards – Seems like I have wanted a Wisconsin LB for the past few years. Edwards is 6-0, 230, but has great instincts and he’s highly productive.

*****

-Remaining 1st Round Board for the Eagles-

S: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

***

-2nd Round Board for the Eagles-

WR: Hakeem Butler

IB: Mack Wilson

CB: Isaiah Johnson

***

-3rd Round Board for the Eagles-

WR: Riley Ridley, Gary Jennings, David Sills

TE: Kaden Smith

OL:  David Edwards, Michael Jordan, Drew Samia

DE: Charles Omenihu, Maxx Crosby, John Cominsky, D’Andre Walker

DT: Kingsley Keke, Gerald Willis

LB: Blake Cashman

S: Deionte Thompson, Marvel Tell

CB: Amani Oruwaryie

***

-4th Round Board for the Eagles-

QB: Tyree Jackson

RB:  Trayveon Williams, Karan Higdon, Justice Hill, Tony Pollard, Travis Homer

WR: Darius Slayton, Kelvin Harmon, Emmanuel Hall

TE: Alize Mack, Foster Moreau, Trevon Wesco

OL:  Isaiah Prince, Hjalte Froholdt, Drew Forbes, Lamont Gaillard

DE:  Austin Bryant, Christian Miller, Anthony Nelson, Jonathan Ledbetter, Joe Jackson

DT: Byron Cowart, Greg Gaines, Renell Wren, Cortez Broughton, Isaiah Buggs

LB:  Drue Tranquill

IB:  David Long

S:  Sheldrick Redwine, Amani Hooker, Jaquan Johnson

CB: Kendall Sheffield, Jordan Brown, Michael Jackson

*****

ALL TOMMY TEAM 

(my favorite non-1st round players)

QB Trace McSorley – Penn State
RB  David Montgomery – Iowa State
WR  Deebo Samuel – South Carolina
WR  Stanley Morgan Jr. – Nebraska
WR  Darius Slayton – Auburn
TE  Trevon Wesco – West Virginia
OT  Yodney Cajuste – West Virginia
OG  Phil Haynes – Wake Forest
OC  Erik McCoy – Texas A&M
OG  Drew Samia – Oklahoma
OT  Chuma Edoga – USC

DE  L.J. Collier – TCU
DT  Daniel Wise – Kansas
DT  Kingsley Keke – Texas A&M
DE  Malik Carney – UNC
LB  Blake Cashman – Minnesota
IB  Terrill Hankes – New Mexico State
LB  Emeke Egbule – Houston
S  Marquise Blair – Utah
S  Jaquan Johnson – Miami
CB  Julian Love – Notre Dame
CB  Sean Bunting – Central Michigan

***

Please draft a couple of these players

WR Deebo Samuel – South Carolina
WR Parris Campbell – Ohio State
G/C Elgton Jenkins – Miss State
OG Drew Samia – Oklahoma
OG Michael Dieter – Wisconsin
RB Tony Pollard – Memphis
RB Travis Homer – Miami
RB Jalin Moore – Appalachian State

DE Maxx Crosby – Eastern Michigan
DE Malik Carney – UNC
DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State
DT Jerry Tillery – Notre Dame
LB Troy Reeder – Delaware
LB Bobby Okereke – Stanford
S Marquise Blair – Utah
S Darnell Savage – Maryland
S Sheldrick Redwine – Miami

Please avoid these players

C Ross Pierschbacher – Alabama – Just never impressed me, but some see as mid-round target.
DT Renell Wren – Arizona – Has moments where he looks really good, but his lack of production is a red flag for me. Only 14.5 TFLs in four years.
S Juan Thornhill – Virginia – He is very talented. Can cover. Can make plays. But his tackling drives me nuts. Dives at ankles over and over and over. Ugh.
OT Greg Little – Ole Miss – Has the potential to be a good NFL LT, but I don’t like the fit for the Eagles.
WR Andy Isabella – UMass – Small, but very fast. Doesn’t have great hands and isn’t a strong route runner. Needs a lot of work.