Eagles Blog

My sources gave me all the Eagles picks, but unfortunately on the way to the store I traded them for some magic beans. We’ll have to go back to guessing.

Albert Breer is at the NovaCare Complex today. He’s mentioned TE Zach Ertz several times today. Is that too obvious? Would the Eagles really let that leak out if he was the target? Or maybe Breer’s sources are just that good.

Virtually no one has mentioned Jonathan Cyprien. Maybe the world knows something we don’t.

There was talk of the Jets trying to move up, but then a report came out saying that isn’t the case. Who knows. If you made me guess…I’d go with Ertz. Of course, he’s got to get by SF at pick 34 for the Eagles to even have a shot.

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net says West Virginia WR Stedman Bailey has the interest of several teams and the Eagles are among them.

“Stedman Bailey/WR/West Virginia has been targeted by the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Bucs and Philadelphia Eagles.  Watch Carolina considering they came away with their defensive tackle in round one.  I was also told the St Louis Rams and Houston Texans had been considering Bailey, but this was prior yesterday’s first round.”

Bailey could be a good slot receiver for the Eagles.  There is nothing dynamic about his game, but he has good hands and is a talented, productive receiver. I think of him as a 3rd round target.

The link has notes on other players and is worth checking out.

From Gil Brandt:

“Expect 3 QBs to go between picks 33-39. My sources expect Eagles (35) and NYJets (39) to go that route”

I tend to doubt this. The only QB I can see the Eagles having interest in is Geno Smith and I’m not fully convinced of that.

I do think it is possible the Eagles are leaking interest in a QB to see if one of the teams behind them is interested in moving up. The Cards (38), Jets (39), and Raiders (42) are the only teams that make some sense.

Michigan State TE Dion Sims visited Philly.

The 6-5, 262 Junior from MSU is very intriguing. He played up in the 285-pound range during the 2012 season and reportedly was heavier than that in the past. When in top shape, he is a gifted athlete. He ran 4.75 at the Combine, did 22 reps, and had a VJ of 35 inches. That shows speed, upper body strength, and lower body explosion.

Sims was 36-475-2 in 2012. MSU was breaking in a new QB and the passing offense was highly erratic.  If the Eagles don’t land presumed targets Zach Ertz (2nd) or Gavin Escobar (3rd), Sims could become a fall back plan along with Travis Kelce and Nick Kasa. This could happen in the 3rd or 4th round.

There are some durability questions with Sims that could affect his value. The flip side is that he is an outstanding blocker. Sims is a classic risk/reward prospect. We know the Eagles were curious about him, but we don’t know if they ended up with a favorable opinion or not.

This is an ideal scenario, but keeping somewhat realistic.

* Eagles trade with Arizona and pick up a 3rd rounder.

* Eagles trade their 2nd Rd pick, move down 10 spots and pick up a 4th and 6th.

1 – LB Ziggy Ansah – BYU – 6-5, 271

2 – OL Kyle Long – Oregon – 6-6, 311

3 – TE Gavin Escobar – SDSU – 6-5, 255

3 – WR Marquise Goodwin – Texas – 5-9, 183

4 – CB Jordan Poyer – Oregon State – 6-0, 191

4 – FS Bacarri Rambo – Georgia – 6-0, 211

5 – DE Joe Kruger – Utah – 6-6, 269

6 – QB Jeff Tuel – Washington State – 6-3, 218

7 – RB Kerwynn Williams – Utah State – 5-8, 195

7 – DE Quinton Dial – Alabama – 6-5, 318

7 – C Eric Kush – California PA – 6-4, 304

7 – CB Marc Anthony – Cal – 6-0, 196

Why?

Ansah would be a difference maker in the front seven.

Long would challenge for RT right away. Aggressive, tough run blocker. Could slide to G if needed.

Escobar is a TE that can go out wide or stretch the field.

Goodwin can be the KOR and a key role player on offense. Slot receiver would suddenly be a weapon. Also a good runner.

Poyer is a playmaking CB. Picked off 7 passes this year and 13 for his career. Great instincts.

Rambo drove me nuts at times, but has big time potential. Finished his career with 16 INTs and 6 FFs.

Kruger is about to turn 21. The guy has a great frame and can grow easily to 285 and carry it well. Good athlete.

Tuel is a great fit for Chip Kelly’s offense. Fast. Strong arm. Gifted passer. Up and down career lowers his value to the 5th or 6th round.

Williams could thrive in Kelly’s run game. Averaged over 6 yards per rush for his career. Goes N-S and really runs hard. Also a good receiver.

Dial played 3-4 DE at Bama. Huge guy who can play the run.

Kush is an athletic C that would be an excellent fit in the offense.

Anthony doesn’t time well at all, but has a lot of good game tape. I think he’s worth the risk late. Quality cover corner.

Tyler Reed was a productive pass catcher at New Mexico for 3 years. And then came a new, conservative offense that was almost dead last in passing. He caught just 5 passes as a Senior (77-949-6 for his career). Reed is projected to be a late pick or UDFA. He has good size and ability.  The Eagles are one of the teams that has shown the most interest in him.

CB D.J. Hayden had his workout for NFL teams recently. The Eagles were there to check him out. I don’t know if he would be a target for the team if they moved down from #4 or if he would be more of a late target where they would move up from the 2nd round.  Incredibly fun player to watch.

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The Eagles have been in touch with Washington State QB Jeff Tuel to show their interest. I think this is great news. He is worth a pick in the 4th/5th round area. Very talented. Had an up and down career. Tuel throws a good long ball and runs 4.6. This guy has the skill set to really fit Chip Kelly’s offense.

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Rice TE Vance McDonald gets most of the attention, but TE Luke Willson is 6-5, 250 and also has NFL talent.  The Eagles had a private workout with him.

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The Eagles have shown interest in Steven Means from the University of Buffalo. He played DE there, but projects to LB in the NFL. He is 6-4, 257 and had a good Pro Day workout.  Means finished his career with 19.5 sacks, 3 FFs, and had 5 blocked kicks.

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South Carolina NT Byron Jerideau, 6-1, 334, has received some interest from the Eagles. He would be a UDFA target. Jerideau did 37 reps at his Pro Day so you know he’s got some serious strength.

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Kentrell Harris played DE for Virginia Union, but the Eagles have shown some interest in him and it would likely be as a LB. Another UDFA target.

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Zach Anderson of Northern Michigan opened some eyes at the Super Regional Combine with a really good workout. The Eagles have called the 6-2, 269 LB to show interest in him as a late pick or UDFA.

His story.

His stats.

Todd Herremans went to D2 Saginaw Valley State, but still managed to get the attention of NFL teams. He was drafted in the 4th round back in 2005.  Here is a good article where Todd talks about his time in college and the draft process.

I remember watching him in the Cactus Bowl in January of 2005. That’s the D2 all star game. I wrote down that Herremans had no shot to play LT in the NFL. He struggled with D2 edge rushers in that game. I got to Lehigh and what did I see…Todd running as LT with the 1’s. Tra was hurt and there was Todd protecting Donovan McNabb’s blindside.

That was a big lesson for me. Don’t underestimate the value of pro coaching. Look for raw potential with small school kids, but don’t expect a finished product.

The Eagles took a look at Murphy Holloway of Ole Miss. He is a sleek, athletic TE prospect. Why is this of note? He’s a basketball player with almost no football experience.  He would be a 7th rounder or UDFA.

Smith caught the ball well in workouts. He was jokingly told that if he struggles to catch the ball after joining a team he’ll be moved to DE. He is reportedly about 240 pounds.