The NFL Draft is just getting started. Last night, the Eagles stayed at 20 and drafted USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor. We covered how he fits into the Eagles scheme here. And also addressed why not mortgaging the future for Marcus Mariota was likely a smart choice for the Eagles.
In order to get you ready for tonight, we wanted to provide you an updated list of players that the Eagles could target in the second and third rounds of the draft.
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon: Yes, he went to Oregon, but make no mistake: he is a first round talent, and if the Eagles can get him in round 2, they would be ecstatic. Fisher is an athletic offensive lineman that excels in a zone blocking run scheme and has the versatility Chip Kelly craves (with experience playing guard and tackle). With the loss of Todd Herramens and potential departure of Evan Mathis, the Eagles could use a “well-schooled tackle who can come in and compete for a starting position right away.”
Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska: Gregory is only an option for the Eagles because of considerable off-field issues. Had it not been for the red flags, Gregory could have been a top five pick. I broke down Gregory before, and came to the following conclusion: "There is no doubting that Gregory has Pro Bowl potential written all over him and will be able to be obtained at a discount given his issues with failed drug tests. In a way, it reminds me of Dez Bryant — an elite talent that fell during the draft because of off field concerns. I think if you asked the Cowboys, they have no regrets taking him 24th overall. But will Kelly take the risk? We all know that Kelly places a big emphasis on culture. Some people have mistaken that as meaning he only wants squeaky clean guys. But that is not necessarily the case… The Eagles brought Gregory in for a visit, so they obviously have some interest. Assuming they feel comfortable with his background, the Eagles should absolutely consider Gregory at 20. It is very hard to get an elite pass rusher unless you are near the top of the draft. This could be the rare opportunity to do so, and Gregory might be worth the risk, off-field issues notwithstanding."
P.J. Williams, CB, FSU: Williams checks off a lot of boxes that the Eagles want at corner. He has good size and athleticism, coming in at 6'0 192 lbs, with a 4.45 40 time. He is a physical, aggressive corner, that excels in press man coverage, using his length to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has tremendous timing and ball skills, with the ability to close on the receiver and knock the throw away. He also excels in run support; he is a sure tackler that is not afraid to attack a running back in the open field. While he lacks experience at the safety position, some NFL scouts think he could excel if he makes the switch. However, his aggressiveness could get him in trouble. He will likely be penalized often until he learns to adjust to the NFL's illegal contact rules. There are also questions about his motor. He showed up in big games, but often disappeared against lesser competition. While the Eagles have not brought Williams in for a draft visit, he could be a great target for the Eagles in the second round.
Donovan Smith, OL, PSU: Smith has been pegged as a 3rd to 4th round prospect by the media, but reports have emerged about teams, including the Eagles, having Smith pegged as a potential 1st or 2nd round prospect. Smith is 6'6, 338 lbs, and played tackle in college. However, he is projected as a guard at the next level based on his lack of athleticism. He excels in run support, dominating at the point of attack. He also had a great Senior Bowl, where he manhandled defensive lineman all week. But he has limitations in pass protection. The Eagles have shown considerable interest in Smith, so don't be surprised if the Eagles target him. The only question is how soon they will do so.
Landon Collins, S, Alabama: I had been a proponent of getting Collins in the first round. He is an aggressive player that could add a level of intimidation to the Eagles defense that has sorely been missed. But the more I studied his game, the more skeptical I've become that he fits the Eagles scheme. His lack of coverage skills is concerning, which is a prerequisite for the Eagles defense, so I am not at all surprised that the Eagles passed on Collins in the first round. However, Collins is still a talented kid. If he is somehow still available in the second round when the Eagles pick, they might have to take him and roll the dice on him improving his coverage skills.
Eric Rowe, CB/S, Utah: versatility is key for Chip, and Eric Rowe has it in spades. He played his first three years of college football at corner before converting to safety in his senior year. He has the requisite length Chip Kelly desires in the secondary, standing at 6’1, 205 pounds with 31 1/2 inch arms, and he excels in playing press man coverage, using length and aggressiveness to jam receivers at the line.
