Posted April 22nd, 2025 | Comments Off on Draft NuggetsAs the draft draws closer, we are getting bombarded with information. Some is useful, some isn’t. It is always fun to try to figure out what is good intel and what is just noise or something put out by someone with an agenda. Agents and college coaches are pumping up their players. The higher those players go, the better the agents and coaches look.
Let’s look at some things that caught my eye.
Here is your hot rumor from Monday.
Tony Pauline says that UCLA edge rusher Femi Oladejo could sneak into the end of the first round. He mentions the Niners as liking him and the Eagles also being a possibility. Most draft analysts and sites have Oladejo rated as a second or third round prospect. This could be Oladejo’s agent leaking something to Tony to drum up interest. It could also be Tony catching wind of a player that teams like more than the media and analysts.
Oladejo makes sense for the Eagles. He is a former ILB who moved to edge rusher. He is 6-3, 261 and a good athlete. Oladejo had 4.5 sacks and 13.5 TFLs last season, showing good playmaking ability. He reminds me of Jalyx Hunt, in terms of size and having a different background. Oladejo wasn’t at a small school, but he’s still new to playing on the edge.
I was impressed by him at the Senior Bowl. While I say he fits the Eagles, 32 would be rich for my taste. If they got him at 64, I’d be happy. At the very least, trade back from 32. I don’t think he’s likely to be picked there, but the rumor was too good not to mention.
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Adam Schefter had a nugget on the Eagles.
Speaking of trades, no team is in a better position to make them this week than the Eagles. They own 20 selections over the next two drafts — more than the actual number of players who can make their team. Therefore, they have added bargaining power should they try to trade for available veterans — a certain possibility during the draft — or if they decide in a less-likely scenario that they want to move up.
Moving up is what they’ve consistently done in the past. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded up in 2019 to get offensive tackle Andre Dillard, in 2021 to get wide receiver DeVonta Smith, in 2022 to get defensive lineman Jordan Davis and in 2023 to get Jalen Carter, Davis’ college teammate. With the added pick firepower, Philadelphia is armed to make more trades, but deals for veterans instead of moving up in Round 1 are considered more likely.
Nothing groundbreaking to be sure. More common knowledge than anything else, but Adam is so connected that it made sense to share this.
If the Eagles make a deal, it won’t be for a star. The Eagles don’t want to spend big money. They might add a veteran who could help a weak spot, but wouldn’t cost a lot. TE Michael Mayer makes the most sense. He’s still under contract for a couple of years and is the kind of complete TE the Eagles could use to replace Dallas Goedert. This is purely speculation.
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The Eagles have shown interest in some OT prospects. Here are a couple of nuggets on guys who could be of interest.
Simmons got hurt during the season. He is an excellent prospect. If completely healthy, he would be in the mix to be the top OT. The knee injury has lowered his value. He is still in the mix to be a first round pick. If his medicals are good (as noted above), he could be a Top 20 pick. If Simmons is on the board at 32, the Eagles might take a chance on him. I like Simmons quite a bit.
One of the biggest OT prospects is Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota. Most people have him rated as a second round prospect. Mike Mayock was on Rich Eisen’s show and mentioned that he’s heard there are character issues that will affect his value.
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Howie Roseman rewarded another draft pick.
I don’t know why Howie keeps giving out these deals. Jerry Jones has shown that you can wait til the last possible moment and only have to overpay by $10M a year. When is Howie going to learn?
It looks like the offense will probably be good for a few more years.
The Eagles should be a top flight team for a few more years.
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Posted April 21st, 2025 | 3 Comments »Draft week is finally here. We are only days away from finding out which college prospect will become the next great Eagles player. Hall of Famer? Pro Bowler? At least better than Jalen Reagor? So many different levels of greatness.
Here is my ideal scenario for the Eagles. I kept it as realistic as possible. I just don’t see Abdul Carter falling to pick 32, although I did start some rumors that his favorite writer is Jimmy Bama and that is sure to raise a few red flags around the league.
1st Rd – 32 – OL – Gray Zabel – North Dakota State – 6-6, 312
Zabel was a great OT for the Bison, starting 40 games. He has size, athleticism and skill. The only real knock is length. He’s got short arms. Because of that NFL teams are projecting him at C or G. Zabel played G/C while at the Senior Bowl and had a great week. He followed that up with a strong showing at the Combine. The key question now is how high he’ll go. My guess is he won’t make it to 32, but since this is an ideal scenario, I have him lasting to the Eagles pick.
Zabel would be a great fit for the Eagles, on and off the field. He could challenge for the RG spot immediately. He could play center if needed. He also has OT experience. We know Jeff Stoutland loves versatile OL. Zabel is a high character player and team leader. He would be a great fit in Philly from a culture standpoint.
2nd Rd – 64 – Edge – Josaiah Stewart – Michigan – 6-1, 249
Stewart began his career at Coastal Carolina. He racked up 16 sacks and 4 FF while playing for the Chanticleers. He then transferred to Michigan and racked up 14 sacks and 2 FF while playing for them over the past two seasons. I’m sure many of you aren’t so keen on an undersized pass rusher. Making matters worse, Stewart didn’t run well at his Pro Day. But, the tape. Watch the tape.
Stewart is a badass. He will remind you a lot of Nolan Smith, but maybe an angrier version. Stewart knocks the crap out of everyone/everything he can. He isn’t a great athlete like Smith, but was more productive in college. He is a good pass rusher and a good run defender. I think Stewart has a play style that Vic Fangio will love. Stewart is one of my favorite players in the whole draft. I’d love for him to end up in Philly.
3rd Rd – 96 – SAF – Jonas Sanker – Virginia – 6-1, 206
Sanker was a 3-year starter for UVA. He has a good combination of size and speed. He’s an aggressive, physical player. He only had 2 INTs, but does a good job of breaking up passes. He can play in the slot if needed. He ran 4.48 at the Combine and that’s good speed for someone his size.
The Eagles have Reed Blankenship at one spot. Sydney Brown could be the other safety. Sanker has plenty of experience so he should come in ready to push for playing time. Sanker isn’t a project. If Brown wins the job, Sanker offers depth and STs ability.
4th Rd – 134 – DL – Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – Georgia – 6-4, 276
Ingram-Dawkins is a tweener, having played DE and DT. He was productive and disruptive from both spots. He was up about 300 pounds in the past, but lost weight and had his best season in 2024, with 8 TFLs and 3 sacks. I think Ingram-Dawkins found his ideal weight and that helped him to play his best football.
Milton Williams was a tweener when the Eagles drafted him. We wondered if he would be a big DE or athletic DT. He played inside and developed into an outstanding player. Ingram-Dawkins is a bit taller, but is similar overall. I think he would give the Eagles a good inside rusher to help replace Williams. We know the team has shown some interest in him. And he went to Georgia.
5th Rd – 161 – CB – Caleb Ransaw – Tulane – 6-0, 199
Ransaw started 31 games in his career, playing both the slot and outside. He has excellent speed at 4.33. Ransaw got some reps at safety while at the Senior Bowl and had an INT in the game. The biggest knock on him is that he only had 1 INT. Some of that is due to playing so much in the slot, but some of that is on him not having great ball skills. Ransaw is a good hitter and tackler.
We know the Eagles like fast CBs. Ransaw checks that box. We know they like versatile DBs. He checks that box as well. And Fangio would like the fact he’s tough and tackles well. He helps with depth on the outside and in the slot. Could also cross train him at safety in the future.
5th Rd – 164 – LB – Teddye Buchanan – Cal – 6-2, 233
Buchanan began his career at Sacramento State and was a playmaking LB there for 4 years (15 TFLs, 8 INTs). He transferred to Cal for 2024 and had a great season with 114 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 FF. That’s a playmaker. Buchanan then had a great showing at the Combine. He is a big time athlete.
We don’t know when Nakobe Dean will be back. He wants to be ready for the start of the season, but that doesn’t seem realistic. Jeremiah Trotter Jr can start in his place, but you need competition for him and depth. Buchanan offers both. I think he has the kind of athleticism the Eagles need when facing young athletic QBs like Jayden Daniels and…Russell Wilson. The Eagles have shown interest in Buchanan.
5th Rd – 165 – OT – Carson Vinson – Alabama A&M – 6-7, 314
This is not a good OT class. After the first few things get sparse. Vinson is a project, but he is an interesting project. He started 48 games at LT. He was good vs his level, but struggled at times against better competition. I thought he had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl. Vinson has a good frame and long arms (35 inches). He has okay feet. There is potential.
The Eagles have great starting tackles. They signed Kendall Lamm to offer depth at LT. They have Darian Kinnard as the backup RT. Matt Pryor has OT experience, but I prefer him at OG. There is definitely a need for a young OT to develop. Vinson has “tools in his body” as someone likes to say.
5th Rd – 168 – TE – C.J. Dippre – Alabama – 6-5, 256
Dippre transferred from Maryland to Bama in 2023. He only caught 65 passes in college so he’s nothing special as a receiver. He’s better than his stats would indicate. He played on some less than great passing offenses. Dippre looked solid in the gauntlet drill at the Combine so I think he’s got good hands. He isn’t a great athlete, but has some good moments after the catch.
The Dallas Goedert saga continues. I’d love to see the Eagles keep him, but that confusingly doesn’t feel like it will happen. I would love for the team to go get a TE early. The Eagles haven’t had visits with key TEs so I’m guessing they won’t prioritize the position. I could be dead wrong on that, though. The reason I like Dippre is that he’s a good blocker and can be an effective receiver. I’d love to go find a star, but at this point I’ll settle for a better version of Jack Stoll to add to the mix. I think Dippre has that kind of potential.
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A couple of quick thoughts.
I hate waiting that long to take a TE. The Eagles have me thoroughly confused at that position. Maybe they’ll trade for one. Michael Mayer from the Raiders would make some sense.
This is a really deep group of RBs. I’m hoping the Eagles either take one late or get good value as a priority free agent.
WR is another spot I hated to pass on. That would be a priority UDFA position. There are some late round guys who could be of interest.
This isn’t a strong QB class. I can see the Eagles taking one late if there is someone they love. If not, that’s another UDFA spot.
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