Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Analyzing Interest

Posted March 26th, 2025 | 3 Comments »

One of the most intriguing parts of this part of the offseason is finding out which draft prospects the Eagles have interest in and then trying to understand their thinking. Which players are they interested in? Which positions?

Here is an updated list of pre-draft visits.

  • RB Jaydon Blue
  • OT Charles Grant
  • OT Jalen Travis
  • OT Anthony Belton
  • OT Marcus Mbow
  • OT Josh Conerly
  • ED Elijah Roberts
  • ED Donovan Ezeiruaku
  • ED Tyler Baron
  • CB Maxwell Hairston

Blue is an explosive RB. We know Nick Sirianni puts a high value on explosive plays. Blue is a good receiver as well as a dangerous runner. You can think of him as a potential upgrade on Kenny Gainwell. He did return three kickoffs in college so he’s got potential in that area as well.

The Eagles have an elite runner in Saquon Barkley, but AJ Dillon isn’t a sure thing and Will Shipley isn’t special athletically. Blue would be an interesting addition. He would add real juice to the backup RB group.

The newest OL being looked at is Charles Grant. He has good size at 6-5, 311 and is a good athlete. He has long arms (34 3/4 inches) and big hands. That’s the frame and length you want in an OT. Grant started at LT for three years. He did play at a small school, but he was a dominant player.

You can absolutely see why Jeff Stoutland would have interest in Grant. Highly athletic OTs with good size and long arms are not easy to find. It is possible Grant could even play some OG. I think his long term future is OT, but he’s so good on the move you could try him at OG initially. I think of him as a third round prospect, but it wouldn’t shock me to see him sneak into the bottom of round two.

Edge rusher Tyler Baron had a good year for Miami, with 11 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. Baron has good size at 6-5, 258. He actually reminds me a bit of Josh Sweat with his size and play style. Baron had a good showing at the Shrine Game and then had a terrific workout at the Combine.

Baron is more of a mid-round prospect. I’d probably have him in the fourth round. He wouldn’t necessarily project as a starter initially, but could develop into one over time.

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Beyond visits, there is some more info. Tony Pauline reported the Eagles ran the DL drills at Cal’s Pro Day. Xavier Carlton is the key prospect. He is 6-6, 273. Carlton is a versatile DL, lining up at both edge and 3-tech. Carlton is a Day 3 prospect. He has terrific size, but isn’t a great athlete.

Tony reported that the Eagles had a coach at the Boston College Pro Day. BC has two OL prospects the Eagles would have been checking out, OT Ozzy Trapilo and OG Drew Kendall. Trapilo is big at 6-8, 316. He played RT for BC. I’m sure Stoutland loves Trapilo’s size. Trapilo is a mid-round prospect who has starter potential.

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The Eagles have shown interest in Buchanan aside from this. He is an athletic ILB. I can see Vic Fangio liking him. Buchanan plays on the edge and off the ball. Can you think of an Eagles LB that did that and had some success?

Another mid-round prospect. With some uncertainty on Nakobe Dean’s health, adding another LB makes sense. Athleticism can be overrated at LB, but Buchanan shows good instincts. He’s not just making plays based on speed.

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The Lamm Lies Down on Broad Street

Posted March 24th, 2025 | 2 Comments »

The Eagles have found their replacement for Fred Johnson. On Monday they signed the most important free agent in team history, possibly league history.

Am I saying this because he went to Appalachian State, which happens to be my alma mater? No, I would never show bias like that. Lamm has been in the league for a decade. He’s started 44 games. If that isn’t a resume of greatness, I don’t know what is.

Joking aside, Lamm is a solid addition. He’s played RT and LT. He started 7 games for Miami last season and 8 the year before that. Lamm is best suited to be a swing tackle, not a full time starter. The Eagles are set at both OT spots so Lamm comes to Philly to be the top backup. He isn’t a great player, obviously. Lamm is good enough to stay in the league, but he’s not good enough that you want him starting on a regular basis. Hopefully some training by Jeff Stoutland will help bring out the best in him.

His addition doesn’t change anything in terms of the draft. The Eagles can take an OT if they like one. The addition of Lamm means they don’t have to take one. We know they are looking at OTs by the fact they have brought four guys to Philly for visits. If the right guy is available at the right spot, they can go get him. But Lamm gives them flexibility. They don’t need to feel forced into anything.

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Let’s go back to pre-draft visits. Here is what we know as of Monday night.

  • OT Marcus Mbow
  • OT Jalen Travis
  • OT Anthony Belton
  • OT Josh Conerly
  • CB Maxwell Hairston
  • Edge Elijah Roberts

Hairston is a playmaking CB from Kentucky. Had 6 INTs, including 3 pick-sixes, over the past two seasons. Hairston ran the fastest 40 of any player at the Combine this year. He timed 4.28. You don’t find a lot of CBs with elite speed and great ball skills. There isn’t any surprise that the Eagles have interest in Hairston. He would fit Vic Fangio’s scheme and give the defense another outstanding talent.

Kelee Ringo ran a blazing 40 at his Combine. Quinyon Mitchell ran very well last year. Obviously the Eagles value top speed in their CBs. There is a question of whether Hairston makes it to pick 32. If the Eagles took him, they would have the fastest set of CBs in the league. Also a very talented group.

Roberts is an interesting player. He reminds me of both Brandon Graham and Milton Williams. Roberts is 6035, 285 so he’s built like Williams. He played a lot on the edge, sometimes standing up. That reminds me of BG. Roberts spent his first three seasons at Miami before transferring to SMU. He became a starter for the Mustangs and racked up 17.5 sacks over his two seasons at SMU.

(Make sure you follow Devin on Twitter for great draft content)

I think Roberts will go in the 3rd or 4th round. I’m sure the Eagles love his versatility. He can play DT or on the edge. Roberts can win with power or athleticism. He would be a role player initially, but could develop into a starter or key player in a year or two.

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