Olamide, Oh My

Teams have been busy the past week, adding fringe players to fill roles and help them go into the draft with a more complete roster. You can add the Eagles to that list now.

Eagles are signing WR Olamide Zaccheaus, per his agents.

Zaccheaus, 25, is a S. Jersey native who starred at St. Joe's Prep. He had 40 catches for 533 yards and 3 TDs last season in Atlanta, where he started 13 games.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) April 19, 2023

The Eagles lost Zach Pascal in free agency. Now they’ve added a player who can help make up for his absence. Zaccheaus is small at 5-8, 193. He is a good athlete and has been productive in Atlanta, despite the lack of a good passing game down there. He averaged 35 catches and 3 TDs over the past two seasons.

Zaccheaus shows good RAC ability. He’s not explosive, but has some speed and runs hard. He can make some really tough catches. I think he’s got the potential to help as a downfield threat.

Eagles are signing former Falcons and St. Joe’s Prep WR Olamide Zaccheaus
pic.twitter.com/faU85dZzdH

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) April 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1159615958996025344

#Eagles have signed WR Olamide Zaccheaus #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/dXIS5sjuO1

— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) April 19, 2023

So what does this mean?

First, Quez Watkins has competition for the #3 spot. Watkins had a down year. The Eagles needed someone to push him. Zaccheaus can do that. At the same time, if he’s the #4 receiver, that works too. Zaccheaus isn’t going to come in expecting a ton of touches. He can start and be a key role player, but has also gone through a season with only 20 catches.

Zaccheaus makes sense from a fit standpoint. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith can play outside. Zaccheaus is at home in the slot. Watkins can play in there or out wide.

Adding Zaccheaus doesn’t mean the Eagles will pass on receivers in the draft. It could be a sign that they aren’t high on their likely choices. Or it could just be the Eagles playing it safe. Add a veteran now and you don’t have to take a receiver unless there is someone you really want.

The Eagles are still very top heavy at WR.

AJ Brown
DeVonta Smith

Quez Watkins
Olamide Zaccheaus

Britain Covey
Devon Allen
Tyrie Cleveland

I hope they add a player in the draft. I would like a more talented backup as part of the group.

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We got some more visit info today.

Oklahoma T Anton Harrison is visiting the Philadelphia Eagles pic.twitter.com/doLO73O9kY

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 19, 2023

Harrison is an athletic LT. Some people think he could go in the late 1st or early 2nd round. I don’t like him as much as others so I need to re-watch a couple of games to get a better feel for him. There is no question that he’s got good feet and knows how to pass block. Harrison ran 4.98 at the Combine (at 6-4, 315) so he is a good athlete. The Eagles value that in O-linemen. He’s been an OT since high school so he doesn’t have the versatility the Eagles normally prefer. Still, this is a really talented player.

Anton Harrison with some TORQUE pic.twitter.com/emOJWRcGlY

— mike (@bengals_sans) February 18, 2023

The Eagles did pretty well the last time they took an athletic OT from Oklahoma. It would be wild if the Eagles drafted Harrison to be Lane Johnson’s replacement.

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Including Eagles per Tony Pauline https://t.co/P67enDlUag

— Greg Richards (@igglesnut) April 19, 2023

McDonald reminds me a lot of Reddick so he would make sense as an Eagles target. Could be in play at pick 30 or in the 2nd round.

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#Bama versatile DB Brian Branch is visiting the #Giants today, source says. A potential first safety off the board, he's also visited the #Texans, #Commanders, #Raiders. #Vikings, #Lions, and #Eagles, while also doing the #Falcons local day.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023

The Eagles could use a playmaking safety so Branch should be of interest. Pick 10 is early for him. The question is whether he would last to pick 30. The Eagles are doing their homework in case he does fall that far.

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#Maryland CB Deonte Banks, who has had meetings or visits with nearly every team, ends his tour with the #Bills today, source said. He's also visited the #Saints, #Commanders, #Titans, #Vikings, #Raiders, #Texans, #Giants, #Bucs, #Eagles, #Jaguars, #Bears, and #Steelers.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023

Fast, athletic CB. Would be in play at pick 30.

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Ole Miss RB Zach Evans has met with 19 NFL teams, per source. Two of those were in-person “30” visits with the #Panthers and #Cowboys.

Among the other teams to meet with Evans (virtually), source said — the #Chiefs, #Cardinals, #Eagles, #Rams, #Seahawks, and #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/ZjmqXSlMMs

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) April 19, 2023

Big play RB. Nick Sirianni loves players who can deliver chunk plays and Evans certainly falls into that category.

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This is interesting.

Pitt's DT Calijah Kancey, who is expected to go in the first round, just said on NFL NOW on @nflnetwork he did not go on a single official visit.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 19, 2023

Teams have done plenty of work on him. They didn’t have a lot of questions, beyond arm-length. And a visit wasn’t going to affect that. Should go in the 25 to 40 area.

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Penn State QB Sean Clifford is visiting the #Eagles today, per his IG. pic.twitter.com/gIgnWWAwf0

— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) April 19, 2023

I don’t expect Clifford to get drafted. Had a good career at PSU, but has limitations.

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Penn State @PennStateFball safety-LB, team captain Jonathan Sutherland (5-11, 202, 4.58 speed, 37.5 vertical, 10-3 broad jump, 25 bench reps) did @Eagles #Jets #Giants local prospect days, per a league source. Special-teams ace 35 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery 2022

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 19, 2023

Local pro days don’t count toward the 30 visits. Sutherland is worth taking a look at. I think the key to an NFL future for him is special teams.

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