By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Eagles selected strong safety Nathan Gerry from Nebraska with their second pick of the fifth round at 184th overall after using their first three picks on day three to select players on the offensive side of the ball.
Gerry received third team all Big Ten honors last season when he posted 68 tackles, four interceptions, and eight pass break ups. Gerry was all an all Big Ten honorable mention the previous two seasons, with four interceptions in both of those seasons as well.
Unfortunately, Gerry was held out of Nebraska's bowl appearance last season due to poor academics.
Gerry started at linebacker three times in his first season with the Cornhuskers, displaying a versatility that the Eagles likely found appealing.
The first thing scouts notice about Gerry are that he already has an NFL build, standing at 6-feet-2-inches and weighing 218 pounds.
He is described as a very instinctual player, especially in the running game where he mirrors the running back. He is aggressive in the passing game, anticipating the receivers' routes and jumping routes without hesitation.
Gerry played nickel corner in addition to linebacker and safety, giving the Eagles and Jim Schwartz plenty of ways to use him if he makes the team. Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp can also utilize Gerry, who has experience in special teams coverage and as an emergency long snapper.
The knock on Gerry is his lack of agility. Gerry plays with aggression and attacks the ball, but he is not efficient in adjusting to changes of direction.
Gerry is expected to be limited to only zone schemes in the pros. His lack of agility might inspire a shift from safety to outside linebacker.
