Posted: April 23rd, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »The Eagles have one sure thing at CB right now, Darius Slay. Beyond him there are question marks. Young question marks. Old question marks. Inside question marks. Outside question marks. I think you get the picture.
Because of that uncertainty the Eagles wanted to find as many possible answers as they could. CB has been a focal point in the pre-draft process, with the Eagles meeting with and studying as many guys as they can. They made some pro moves as well. The team re-signed Avonte Maddox and signed Tyler Hall to give them depth and competition at the nickel spot. They also added Isaiah Rodgers, who was suspended for gambling.
Cool.
Rodgers is an interesting player. It is easy to lump him in with guys like Greedy Williams or Jimmy Moreland. The Eagles took fliers on them and both players did nothing in Philly. But those guys came over after a down season, where their old team had given up on them. Rodgers situation was heavily affected by his gambling suspension. When he played in 2022, Rodgers started 9 games and picked off 2 passes. He also has STs value. Rodgers averages 27 yards per KOR for his career and has one TD. He may not be Deion Sanders, but I think he’s more than just a lottery ticket.
The Eagles will look at Rodgers as someone to compete for a job. They won’t pencil him in as a starter. He won’t affect draft plans. But I do think he’s got a legitimate chance to make the team and carve out a role. I get the feeling he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder and wants to get his career back on track. We’ll see how this plays out.
Speaking of the draft…my buddy Tony Pauline (America’s leading Led Zeppelin fan) says the Eagles are interested in trading up for CB Quinyon Mitchell. He says they could trade a second round pick to Denver to move up to 12, with the idea of taking Mitchell. There is no guarantee Mitchell will make it that far, but he should be on the board at that point. The Steelers are also talking about moving up.
I’m not a huge fan of moving up, but I am definitely a big fan of Mitchell. He is the best CB in the draft. Mitchell had a great career at Toledo. He was a two-time All-American. He had 52 PDs and 6 INTs. Mitchell then had a great showing at the Senior Bowl. He topped that off with a great Combine performance. Mitchell has checked every box.
His game tape is impressive.
You always wonder how guys from smaller schools will do against elite competition. Seeing Mitchell dominate in the practices in Mobile really sold me on how good this guy is.
Mitchell has the potential to be a Top 10 CB in the NFL. He’s big and fast. He has good instincts. He has good ball skills.
There is also a connection with the Eagles. Mitchell went to Toledo and played for coach Jason Candle. Does that name sound familiar? Nick Sirianni has mentioned Candle a few times because they were teammates at Mount Union. If Sirianni has any questions, he’ll get straight answers from his old college buddy.
Enough CB talk for now. Make Tony happy and enjoy some Zeppelin.
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Posted: April 22nd, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »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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