UDFAs

Posted: April 28th, 2024 | Author: | 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.

*****

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.

*****

I’ll get back to talking about the draft class on Monday.

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Day 3 – More Players and Future Picks

Posted: April 27th, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles entered Day 3 with seven picks. Howie Roseman did some wheeling and dealing. The Eagles ended up with six picks, but also added three picks in the 2025 draft. That’s a good day. Let’s start by looking at the players.

4 – RB Will Shipley
5 – WR Ainias Smith
5 – LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr
5 – OG Trevor Keegan
6 – WR Johnny Wilson
6 – OC Dylan McMahon

Day 3 is all about depth. The Eagles added quality backups at RB, WR, LB and OL. You might find a future starter in that group. If so, great. If they just become good backups and role players, that’s fine as well.

4 – RB Will Shipley – Clemson – 5-11, 206

Ran for 1182 yards and 15 TDs in 2022. Clemson had a down year in 2023 and Shipley wasn’t as productive. He is a good runner, but really stood out as a receiver. Runs good routes and knows how to get open. Shipley ran 4.45 at the Combine, but you don’t see that speed on tape. Only had one play of 50 or more yards in college. He will move the chains. Shipley has a chance to be a backup the coaches will trust right away because he can run, catch and block. He doesn’t have high end potential, but could prove to be a good role player.

*****

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

Smith is one of my favorite receivers in the draft. He is a real weapon after the catch. He is fast, but also shows a great feel for running. He has good vision. He also has the burst and agility to take advantage of that. Seeing where to go doesn’t do you any good if you can’t get there. Smith was a weapon in college, getting touches as a runner, returner and receiver. The only reason he fell this far in the draft is that he had some injury issues and this was a deep receiver class. The Eagles have dynamic starters in AJ and Devonta. Smith now gives them someone who could be a good number three for a few years. Parris Campbell has that role for 2024, but Smith will push him.

*****

5 – LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr – Clemson – 6-0, 228

Howie Roseman stressed this is not some publicity stunt. Drafting Trot Jr only made sense because he was a good player who could help the Eagles. The first thing I have to stress is that he’s not his dad. Trot Sr was a 260-pound sledgehammer. He attacked OL and blew them up. Junior is undersized. He is at his best on the run and playing in space. Junior had a good season in 2023, with 15 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and 2 INTs. That’s a playmaking LB. I think he’s more of a WLB. If the Eagles DL can keep him clean and let him run around and make plays, he could be a future starter.

https://twitter.com/mattlucci12/status/1784296269017403730

*****

5 – OG Trevor Keegan – Michigan – 6-5, 306

Keegan started for three years at LG for the Wolverines. He is a tough, physical blocker who is at his best pounding on run plays. He does a good job on short pulls, but didn’t stand out as a blocker in space. Keegan is smart and plays with good leverage. He is solid in pass pro. The Eagles normally prefer OL who are very athletic or versatile. Keegan looks like a pure OG. He’s athletic enough. The Eagles didn’t say it publicly, but I’m guessing he is a high character player. Was a team captain. With his experience and the program he came from, Keegan could challenge Tyler Steen at RG.

*****

6 – WR Johnny Wilson – Florida State – 6-6, 231

I heard announcer hype on Wilson in the first couple of weeks, but I wasn’t impressed at all. He was big to be sure, but awkward. At some point this year the light went on for Wilson and he had a very good season. Beyond just numbers, he looked good. The number one thing I look for in a WR is body control. Most big guys don’t have that. Wilson is an exception. He can run a variety of routes and looks good. He catches the ball away from his body. He has had some drops issues. My biggest question is RAC ability. He just didn’t do much after the catch. He’ll break some tackles, but you don’t him making many plays on the run. He ran 4.52 so he’s got solid speed for his size. He can play in the slot or outside. I did not want the Eagles to draft him early, but he was good value at this point.

*****

6 – OC Dylan McMahon – NC State – 6-3, 299

Once upon a time the Eagles took an athletic center in the sixth round. Yada, yada, yada…podcast star. Don’t expect McMahon to become the next Jason Kelce. Guys like him are rare. The Eagles would be thrilled if McMahon became an effective starter. He is exactly what you think, a slightly undersized blocker who relies on technique and athleticism to win. McMahon has terrific lateral agility. He will excel on reach blocks. He’s good on the second level. There are two issues. First, McMahon has short arms (31.5 inches). That makes it hard for him to keep defenders off his body. He also can struggle with powerful DTs. As good as Kelce was, it took him several years in the NFL to learn how to handle power guys. McMahon did start 44 games in college (8 LG, 22 RG, 14 OC). He is the prototypical Eagles prospect in terms of versatility and athleticism.

*****

Howie and Nick Sirianni talked about placing an emphasis on guys with a chip on their shoulder. The 2023 season ended in ugly fashion. They knew it was important to add talent, especially in the secondary. Beyond that, they wanted guys who would be hungry and play hard. Last year’s team turned out to be soft and that’s about the worst thing you can say about a football team. Rookies can’t change a culture, but they can help.

*****

The Eagles added a third, fourth and fifth round pick for next year. The 2025 draft should be deeper so adding those extra picks was a good move. There is the possibility the Eagles could lose a pick in the Saquon Barkley situation, but they still deny doing anything wrong.

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