Posted: April 29th, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »The Eagles wanted to add a top shelf OL in the draft. Things didn’t work out so they added a pair of late round prospects for the interior of the OL. They did not draft an OT. The team did add one on Sunday.
Becton was the 11th pick in the 2020 draft. He started 13 games as a rookie and showed promise. He only played one game over the next two years due to injuries. He also had weight issues. Becton got back in shape last year and was projected to be the starting RT out of camp. He started the first two games there, but got moved to LT due to the starter on that side getting hurt. Becton started 16 games for the year.
He did not play well. Becton had 12 penalties and was credited with allowing 12.5 sacks. That sounds terrible, but you have to remember that sacks have a lot to do with the QB. Obviously the Jets didn’t have good QB play last year. Playing in a good offense with a good QB should make a big difference for Becton.
Jeff Stoutland sees a big OT with 30 NFL starts under his belt. He sees a player with good natural ability.
https://twitter.com/Eaglesfans9/status/1784722760876400861
Stoutland is the best OL coach in the league so he should be able to help clean up some of the issues. He knows Becton needs a lot of work. Becton can learn from Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, a pair of very good tutors. This is a huge opportunity for Becton. If he plays well, some team could look at him as a starter in 2025. If Becton struggles with the Eagles, his career may be over.
The key to this whole situation is that Becton isn’t coming to Philly to start. He will battle for the #3 OT job. That takes some pressure off him and allows him to learn and develop. Still, there is no guarantee this move will work. In a league desperate for OTs, Becton was unsigned for a reason.
Howie Roseman loves to talk about how the Eagles are always looking for help. He and the front office never feel like there is a final roster. Always look for ways to improve. Howie admitted the top part of the draft didn’t go quite as expected. He was surprised that the Eagles didn’t come away with an OL earlier than the fifth round. The team added bodies for the interior, but lacked a swing tackle. So they went and got Becton.
Fred Johnson was the top backup at OT. He looked good last summer, but he hasn’t started since he was with the Bengals in 2021. Would you trust him if one of the starters got hurt? The Eagles signed Darian Kinnard after the season and he could be the backup RT, but he’s only played in one NFL game.
While Becton isn’t a sure thing, he has talent and experience. That makes him a player worth taking a chance on.
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If you want to feel good about the Eagles draft class.
https://twitter.com/RNBWCV/status/1661743260250050561
https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1784364888170598771
We won’t know if the players work out for a few years, but Howie Roseman got good value with his picks. He moved up and down the board to try to get the most out of every situation. When a premium player like Cooper DeJean was available, go get him. When the Eagles didn’t love the board and got an offer that included a third rounder for next year, take the deal and move down.
Howie did a great job of managing the draft.
I’ll write more about the players on Tuesday. The Becton news took precedent for today.
Just because everyone is saying good things about the draft doesn’t mean the class will turn out as expected. This is just an intial reaction to what the Eagles did.
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Posted: April 28th, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »The Eagles added nine players in the draft over the previous three days. They followed that up by signing seven undrafted free agents (UDFAs). Anyone who has followed the Eagles for a while knows you can find role players and even starters after the draft. Sua Opeta was a key backup the Eagles added as a UDFA in April of 2019. Reed Blankenship is a starting safety the Eagles signed as a UDFA a couple of years ago.
Howie Roseman said this is the smallest UDFA class he’s ever signed. The Eagles knew this wasn’t going to be a deep set of draft prospects so they were more aggressive in January with signing street free agents. Let’s take a look at the players they did sign.
TE McCallan Castles – Tennessee – 6-4, 244
The Eagles love athletic, pass-catching TEs. They just don’t seem to find good ones. I’m afraid Castles fits that description. He played at Cal, UC-Davis and then finished at Tennessee. He caught 92 passes in college, showing some potential. Castles had a terrific workout at his Pro Day (4.67 in the 40, 37.5 vertical). He has NFL athleticism. When you watch the game tape, you see a guy who is more athlete than football player. He just doesn’t look like a natural receiver to me.
It sounds like the Eagles like him more than I do based on that money. Castles has good tools so maybe they can develop him, but the Eagles haven’t had much success with developing TEs in recent years. Castles is similar in size and athleticism to Grant Calcaterra, but not as skilled a receiver.
DL Gabe Hall – Baylor – 6-6, 291
Hall stood out to me at the Senior Bowl. I would see the guy in the green helmet winning a lot of his 1-on-1 battles. Then you watch his game tape and you’re underwhelmed. The guy who looked so good in Mobile was pedestrian in games.
https://twitter.com/TheSwoopScoops/status/1784376420644331532
He was attacking in Mobile and that wasn’t always the case at Baylor. But still, you expected to see more from him than you did. Hall has NFL size and is a solid athlete. At his best, he uses his length and quickness to get into the backfield. He has a good motor and will make his share of hustle plays. Hall could develop into a good rotational player. I had interest in the Eagles drafting him so this is a good signing.
OG Gottlieb Ayedze – Maryland – 6-4, 308
He played LT at Frostburg State before transferring to Maryland in 2023. Ayedze started 9 games at RT and one at RG. I watched him at RT and didn’t think he had the footwork to play OT in the NFL. Ayedze played in the Shrine Game and looked more natural at LT. I still think he’s best suited for OG. Ayedze is a good run blocker. He’s strong. Can get up to the second level. Physical. Anchors well in pass pro. The Eagles could give him a shot at OT, but I just don’t think he’s got the footwork to make it there. Another good signing.
RB Kendall Milton – Georgia – 6-2, 225
Milton might remind you of former Eagle Josh Adams. He is a downhill runner with good size. There isn’t much wiggle, though. Milton only started four games at UGA, due to a combination of injuries and being in a crowded backfield. Milton averaged 6 yards per carry for his career and ran for 14 TDs in 2023 so he was productive. Give him room and he will get downhill. He’s strong enough to break arm tackles. Just don’t expect him to make many guys miss. He’ll never start in the NFL, but could be effective in a rotation. His style does fit the Eagles offense.
OT Anim Dankwah – Howard – 6-8, 349
Started 25 games at LT for the Bison. Big frame with 35-inch arms. His kick-slide shows promise, but definitely needs work. Dankwah is a knee-bender, but still plays taller than you would like, mostly due to his size. I didn’t see a ton of him, but he lacked physicality in the reps I saw. A guy with his size should have been physically dominant. I didn’t see much of that. His Pro Day numbers showed that Dankwah has athletic limitations. Still, with that size and length he is a good project for Stoutland U. You can’t teach size. See if the coaches can make something of him.
SAF Andre Sam – LSU – 5-11, 193
Interesting prospect. Turned 25 in February. Began his college career in 2017 (the pre-Super Bowl champ dark ages). Played at McNeese State, Marshall and LSU. Started 51 games. A bit undersized, but a solid hitter. Ran 4.59 and had a 36-inch vertical. Picked off 9 passes in his career and showed good ball skills. Could be a good practice squad candidate. Doesn’t have much upside, but has a ton of experience and that could help him adjust to the NFL.
https://twitter.com/TheSwoopScoops/status/1784378842003443898
SAF Kanion Williams – Tulsa – 6-1, 200
Played at Oklahoma State from 2018-2022. Was mainly a STer, but was voted team captain in 2021. Went to Tulsa in 2023 and got to play on defense. Had 37 tackles and an INT. Physical player, but basically a camp body.
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Interesting. Sort of. Ross had elite speed. He’s only 28 so I’m assuming he still has most of that speed. He last played in 2021, catching 11 passes and averaging 20.4 yards per catch. File this move under the category of “it can’t hurt to take a look”, but don’t get your expectations up.
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I’ll get back to talking about the draft class on Monday.
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