Eagles Only Mock Draft 2.0

Posted: April 22nd, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »

Draft week is finally here. So let’s take a look at one more mock draft scenario. I got tired of bouncing between CB, OL and edge rusher in the first round so I decided to mix things up.

1 – Pick 22 – DL Johnny Newton
2 – Pick 50 – LB Edgerrin Cooper
2 – Pick 53 – CB Max Melton
4 – Pick 120 – OG Zak Zinter
5 – Pick 161 – WR Ainias Smith
5 – Pick 171 – OT Garret Greenfield
5 – Pick 172 – Edge Javon Solomon
6 – Pick 210 – RB Dillon Johnson

Now let’s talk about the picks.

1 – Pick 22 – DL Johnny Newton – Illinois – 6-2, 304

Fletcher Cox retired. Milton Williams is projected to take his spot in the starting lineup, but there is some risk. Williams has 12 career starts. He’s looked really good at times, but hasn’t proven to be a high level starter. He’s in the final year of his contract so the Eagles have an eye on the present and the future in regard to him. If you draft Newton at 22, he and Jalen Carter could be similar to Cox and Javon Hargrave, in terms of size and skill set.

Newton is a good athlete. He’s highly disruptive. He doesn’t have great size, but plays bigger than he is. It is hard to know what Vic Fangio is looking for. He’s had undersized guys like Dremont Jones and Shelby Harris. He’s had bigger guys like Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler. I think Newton’s motor, athleticism and production would make him a player any DC would want. The Eagles had a scout at his Pro Day, but that doesn’t mean much. The Eagles had scouts at virtually every major Pro Day. I have no idea how interested the Eagles are. Newton would be a fun addition to the DL.

2 – Pick 50 – LB Edgerrin Cooper – Texas A&M – 6-2, 230

We know the Eagles need help at LB. Cooper is 1, 2 or 3 in most LB lists. I thought about putting Junior Colson from Michigan here, but I think Fangio would prefer a speedy tackler to a run stuffer. We do know the Eagles are interested in Cooper. They brought him to Philly for a visit. Cooper ran a 4.51 at the Combine and you see that speed on tape. He had 17 TFLs last year. He is at his best flying around the field and making plays.

There are things to work on. Cooper sometimes will try to run over targets instead of wrapping up. You can get away with that in college, but not the NFL. He’s not the most instinctive guy. But he does show the ability to diagnose plays and get to the ball. If Fangio prefers a sure tackler, go take Colson. If he wants more of a dynamic player, take Cooper.

2 – Pick 53 – CB Max Melton – Rutgers – 5-11, 187

I wrote a couple of days ago about how the Eagles are looking for a CB, preferably someone who can play outside and in the slot. Melton only played 68 snaps on the inside in college, but has the build and skill set to move there full time if needed. Melton has the speed to play outside (4.39), but watch him in the slot and he’s comfortable being physical and playing in traffic. He picked off 8 passes in his career so he’s got playmaking ability.

Max is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. I’d love to see him in Philly. At its best, the Eagles secondary has some dawg it in. Last year there was no dawg. Or dog. More like a wounded puppy. One of the things to love about Melton is that he’s so tough and competitive. He plays hard. I think his skill, versatility and playing style would be a welcome addition to the back end of the defense. He did visit the Eagles, but is considered a local prospect so we can’t read too much into that. I think they would be nuts not to have interest.

4 – Pick 120 – OG Zak Zinter – Michigan – 6-6, 309

I’ve mentioned Zinter as a potential Eagles target a few times this offseason. He started 42 games at RG, a spot where the Eagles need competition. Zinter was a good student, team captain and high character guy. He also is a physical blocker with a bit of a nasty streak. He sounds like someone Nick Sirianni and Jeff Stoutland would love.

The Eagles brought Zinter to Philly. He broke his leg in the Ohio State game and missed the pre-draft process. That visit could have been a medical check as much as a visit to show serious interest in him. The only thing that makes me hesitant to link him to the Eagles is that he only played OG in college. They love versatile blockers. He’s got the frame to play RT in emergency situations, but I think OG is his only chance to start.

5 – Pick 161 – WR Ainias Smith – Texas A&M – 5-9, 190

Smith is one of my favorite players to watch. He plays with a lot of “juice” as Sirianni might say. He is a slot receiver/returner type. Get the ball in his hands and he can make plays. Smith caught 180 passes in his career. He ran 4.55 at his Pro Day, but sure looks fast on his tape. I would love the Eagles to add someone who excels after the catch. I think this offense needs more of that.

Intangibles are a tricky subject with Smith. He had an arrest in the summer of 2022, but the charges were dropped. He was a team captain. The Eagles brought him to Philly for a visit, but this could have been another medical check. He had a broken finger that kept him out his bowl game this year. He had a nasty broken leg in 2022 and a stress fracture this year. I see him as a mid-round talent who will slide a bit. I think Smith would be good value at this point.

5 – Pick 171 – OT Garret Greenfield – South Dakota State – 6-6, 311

Greenfield started for 4 years, playing RT and LT. I was focused on his teammate, LG Mason McCormick, but Greenfield kept catching my eye. He has good feet. He blocks well on the move. Good athlete. And he is a physical, nasty blocker. He could be a Jack Driscoll type of backup at OT. I think he’s got the potential to be a starting RT.

The biggest downside to Greenfield is that he was in college for 6 years. He will turn 25 in September. His age is a factor for two reasons. You would rather get a younger guy who can develop. He also had an advantage the last couple of years in college. You’re watching someone who is 22 or 23 go up against younger guys. Does that give you a bit of a false read in regard to his tape? Age isn’t a huge issue for me since this is Day 3, but it is a factor.

5 – Pick 172 – Edge Javon Solomon – Troy – 6-1, 246

I’m not a huge fan of the Eagles taking an edge rusher, but Howie does it almost every year so I’ll listen to history on this one. Solomon had 16 sacks and 3 FF last year. You expect to watch game tape and see him flying off the edge on every snap. That’s not the case. He lined up all over. OLB, DE, 4i…even out in space.

Those highlights are confusing because you never know where to look (it also hurts that he wore #6 and #41). We know Fangio liked Andrew Van Ginkel because of his versatility. Solomon isn’t the same guy, but is versatile. And physical. He’s not a finesse speed rusher. Solomon did 27 bench reps at his Pro Day and you see that strength on tape. He could develop into a good situational rusher/role player.

6 – Pick 210 – RB Dillon Johnson – Washington – 6-0, 217

The Eagles need depth at RB. Johnson ran for 1,195 yards and 16 TDs as the Huskies made it all the way to the national championship game. He caught 173 passes in his career. Johnson isn’t huge (217 pounds) or speedy (4.68), but he has good vision and is an instinctive runner.

The Eagles did send a coach to Johnson’s Pro Day to work him out. He isn’t a guy you build an offense around, but could be a good role player. His size and versatility make him a good fit for the Eagles.

*****

No safety. The Eagles are okay there for now and can add someone as a UDFA. They have hit on guys like Reed Blankenship and Marcus Epps in recent years.

No TE. The Eagles signed CJ Uzomah to compete with Grant Calcaterra and Albert O. They have adequate comptetion for now. They have taken a look at some athletic pass catchers. That seems to be something that fascinates them, but never works out. Andy Reid started this tradition with LJ Smith and the ensuing coaches/front office guys have kept it going.

Ugh.

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A Nickel for Your Thoughts

Posted: April 21st, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »

The Eagles are spending a lot of time in the pre-draft process checking out CBs. Darius Slay is still good, but is 33. James Bradberry is coming off an awful season and might not stay on the team. Isaiah Rodgers is still suspended. Avonte Maddox is back, but we know he’s had trouble staying healthy. Kelee Ringo showed promise as a rookie. I don’t think anyone saw enough to be comfortable counting on him.

Youth and talent are needed.

Look at the CBs the Eagles have brought in for visits.

CB Cooper DeJean
CB Andru Phillips
CB Caelen Carson
CB Jarrian Jones
CB Terrion Arnold
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
CB Decamerion Richardson
CB Max Melton

There is one thing a lot of those guys have in common. They can play in the slot.

CB Cooper DeJean
CB Andru Phillips
CB Caelen Carson
CB Jarrian Jones
CB Terrion Arnold
CB Max Melton

This tells us the Eagles are making that a point of emphasis. They do like Maddox, but he can’t be seen as a long term option at this point. The Eagles would love to bring in a CB who could play both outside and in the slot. Of the players above, Jarrion Jones is the closest thing to a pure slot corner. The others moved around.

Arnold will go in the first round. DeJean probably will as well. Phillips, Carson and Melton are Day 2 guys. Jones is probably Day 3.

What is the difference in the slot and outside? Nickel corners need quickness more than long speed. They need to be comfortable playing in traffic. They have to deal with receivers having a two-way go, left or right. On the outside the sideline acts as a defender and limits what the receiver can do horizontally. The focus is more on speed and verticality.

I would love for Arnold to drop to 22, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen. I am not keen on trading up for him. I’d be fine with taking Melton in the second round. I’ve been high on him since the Senior Bowl. He really impressed me down in Mobile.

As for the non-slot guys…

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
CB Decamerion Richardson

McKinstry did play 28 snaps in the slot in his career, but he is meant to be an outside corner. He has outstanding cover skills and would be solid value at 22. Richardson is 6-2, 188 and runs 4.34. That’s the length and speed you love in a corner. And he will tackle. But he’s not instinctive and will bite on fakes. He will be a Day 3 pick.

It will be interesting to see what the Eagles do at CB this week.

*****

We’ve talked a lot about LB this offseason. We know the Eagles will take one. The question is who and how early. Temple LB Jordan Magee is a fun player to watch and could be a good fit for the Eagles. He is 6-1, 228. He ran a 4.55 in the 40 and you see that speed on tape.

I have him slotted in the fourth round, but it wouldn’t shock me to see him go in the third. LBs who can run, cover and tackle are especially valuable in today’s NFL.

*****

A bit of sad news.

Gabriel was huge at 6-5, 240. QBs just didn’t come in that size back in his day. Johnny Unitas was 6-1, 194. Bart Starr was 6-1, 197. Sonny Jurgensen was 5-11, 202. Fran Tarkenton was 6-0, 190. YA Tittle was 6-0, 190. Gabriel was a giant compared to those guys. He also had a much stronger arm than any of them. Gabriel’s combination of size and arm strength made him a man ahead of his time.

He was drafted by the Rams in 1962 and played there for 11 seasons. Gabriel came to Philly in 1973 and played his final five years for the Birds. He wasn’t good enough to get them to win, but the 1973 team had some special moments and Gabriel did play well for them. Watch the NFL season recap for that team and you’ll get some good Eagles history.

 

Beyond what he did on the field, Gabriel acted as a mentor to Ron Jaworski during the 1977 season. That helped Jaws become the top shelf QB that he was, and helped the Eagles to reach their first Super Bowl four seasons later.

RIP.

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