Two picks remained for the Eagles and with the first, they stayed in the secondary and stayed in the Pac-12.
The selection of safety Ed Reynolds marked the four defensive player the Eagles have taken in six picks at this year's draft.
Reynolds was also the second player in the secondary drafted by the Eagles. Here's a look at the newest Eagle.
When you look at Ed Reynolds, you may see this pick as a bit of a reach. It is by his current ability level, but a lot of that has to do with Reynolds forgoing his senior season to enter this year's draft.
Reynolds had a career year in his sophomore season, pulling down six interceptions and returning three for touchdowns. Obviously, he has a great ability to read a quarterback and anticipate the pass.
His size – 6'1", 207 pounds – helps him contend with tight ends, making him a good inside player. He also possesses strong wrap tackling skills.
His weaknesses are easy to identify. When he gets beat by a receiver, he struggles to recover. He's strictly a zone player, so his weaknesses will be exposed more in man-to-man coverage, where he's had limited experience.
Reynolds has average speed and while he's a good wrap tackler, he misses many tackles in the open field.
Overall, Reynolds will prove to be good on assignment coverages and in the Cover-2 defensive schemes. But he'll strictly be a role player with the Eagles. He was projected sixth round, so the Eagles likely had to take him a little early because he likely would have been off the board by the seventh round.
He's not a major improvement at safety, but he is a pick that provides depth, something the Eagles can't have enough of in the secondary.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
