Each workforce has completely different wants throughout NFL Draft weekend and, as you could have surmised from being a soccer fan for longer than 30 seconds, it informs every workforce’s board. The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t any completely different and I’ve taken the freedom of choosing 5 place teams that might use some reinforcements from the faculty ranks heading into the 2024 season.
The final group up is: inside offensive line.
“The Eagles might go quite a few other ways right here…relying on what future Corridor of Fame heart Jason Kelce decides on taking part in yet another season or not,” is how this publish began earlier than Monday. Now that Kelce has formally introduced his retirement it makes this place an even bigger want within the offseason.
Presumably Cam Jurgens, who excelled at heart for Nebraska in faculty, would slide into that function for the Eagles and Landon Dickerson would occupy one of many guard slots. Tyler Steen, a 2023 third spherical pick of Alabama, performed largely sort out in faculty however was moved to protect within the execs and even began one recreation at RG for the Eagles final season. Arizona Cardinals 2022 sixth spherical choose Lecitus Smith was signed to the Philadelphia observe squad in November final 12 months and signed a reserve/future contract in January. He was an All-ACC guard at Virginia Tech and will work his method onto the ultimate roster.
Even when Kelce had run it again for yet another crack at a Tremendous Bowl, the Eagles would’ve been sensible to herald somebody to bolster their depth at G/C for the longer term. With Kelce off to retirement, listed below are a trio of IOL choices (not simply early rounds) that the Eagles ought to contemplate when they’re finally on the clock. (All measurements are from participant’s faculty bio or NFL Mix if relevant)
Cooper Beebe (guard), fifth 12 months Senior, Kansas State
Measurements: 6-foot-3 and 322 kilos (NFL Mix)Profession stats: 51 video games (48 begins); allowed 5 sacks in 1,488 move blocking snaps per PFF
Bio: A local of Kansas Metropolis, however on the Kansas aspect, Beebe was ranked as a 3-star defensive lineman for many of his highschool profession, however he excelled on each side of the ball. He comes from a household of athletes as his dad (Pittsburg State), older brother (tight finish at Minnesota), and youthful brother (o-lineman at Ok-State) have all performed/are nonetheless taking part in faculty soccer. Beebe redshirt freshman season in 2020 noticed him begin eight video games (seven at RT and one at LG) and permitting 4 sacks. For those who learn his stats above and are good at math, you could have discovered that Beebe solely allowed one sack in his closing three years of school (40 begins). In 2021 he was honorable point out Huge 12 Offensive Lineman of the 12 months and he was First Group Tutorial All-Huge 12 yearly between 2020 and 2023.
His closing three seasons had been chock stuffed with accolades that I received’t bore you with all of them right here. Simply know that he was All-Huge 12 First Group (2021, 2022, 2023), Huge 12 Offensive Lineman of the 12 months (2022, 2023), 2022 Second Group All-American (AP, CBS, PFF, USA Right this moment), 2022 First Group All-American (Athletic, ESPN, FOX, Sporting Information), and a 2023 Consensus First Group All-American. He was an Outland Trophy finalist and a Campbell Trophy (aka Tutorial Heisman) finalist in 2023 and he was a Lombardi Award semifinalist as a fifth 12 months senior too. He was additionally a two-time workforce captain. Per NFL.com, he had the very best Subsequent Gen Stats Complete Rating of any guard on the Mix this 12 months.
Scouting report: Beebe is a flexible offensive lineman. Final season he performed 20 snaps at left sort out, 106 snaps at proper sort out, and 832 at left guard, however he began 13 video games at left sort out in 2021 and even crammed in at proper guard too. Principally, in case you’re drafting Beebe you should utilize him wherever however heart, however I’d wager most groups have him as a guard on their boards. He’s constructed like a keg of beer and, sadly, has about the identical attain, however the negatives to his recreation just about finish there. He’s stout in move safety and a steamroller within the run recreation. Beebe sees the sport at a complicated stage and is extraordinarily sensible about passing off rushers and in addition attending to the second stage to filter linebackers on operating performs. He is probably not essentially the most thrilling prospect as he’s extra of a “high-floor/low-ceiling” participant, but it surely’s essential to notice that his ground is already “rotational NFL participant.”
He’s in all probability a mid-second spherical to early-third spherical man, however appears to be on the rise.
Highlights:
Zak Zinter (guard), Senior, Michigan
Measurements: 6-foot-6 and 322 poundsCareer stats: 45 video games (42 begins, all at RG besides one)
Bio: Born and raised in Florida, he moved to Massachusetts earlier than highschool and was a 247Sports Composite 4-star offensive lineman popping out of Buckingham Browne and Nichols College. He was a four-time letterwinner at Michigan and was named Honorable Point out All-Huge Ten in 2021 after which consensus First Group All-Huge Ten in 2022 and 2023. He was voted a workforce captain as a senior and in addition earned unanimous First Group All-American honors. Zinter was an integral a part of a dominant Michigan offensive line which received the Joe Moore Award (greatest offensive line unit within the nation) in 2021 and 2022, the primary back-to-back winners in award historical past.
Scouting report: The very first thing to debate with Zinter is his damage, which precipitated him to overlook Michigan’s playoff run to the nationwide title. Zinter broke his tibia and fibula within the third quarter The Recreation towards OSU and didn’t take part in any on-field work throughout the NFL Mix. Zinter stated that he’ll “be able to roll in a month” however clearly each workforce will wish to do their due diligence on him.
Picture by G Fiume/Getty Photos
While you consider a stereotypical Huge Ten Offensive Lineman, Zinter might be who you might be picturing. He’s large, sturdy, imply, and needs nothing greater than to go away tire tracks in your jersey as his workforce runs down your throat. He’s a great move protector, however NFL-level athletes will give him points initially of his profession. Like Beebe, Zinter is a cerebral participant and may have the ability to contribute to an NFL offensive line rotation as a rookie.
Attributable to damage considerations, Zinter might be now a third-fourth spherical choose, however there may be loads of potential worth available if the medical workers for Philly clears him.
Highlights:
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (heart), Redshirt Junior, Georgia
Measurements: 6-foot-4 and 298 kilos (NFL Mix)Profession stats: 48 video games (44 begins)
Bio: The highest heart prospect within the class of 2020, Van Pran-Granger was a Composite 4-star prospect out of New Orleans’ Warren Easton Excessive College. Throughout his first season on campus Van Pran-Granger appeared in 4 video games (to protect his redshirt) after which began 44 straight video games over his closing three seasons with the Bulldogs. He was Second Group All-SEC in 2022 after which unanimous First Group All-SEC final 12 months. In 2023 he additionally earned: First Group All-American (ESPN, SI), Second Group All-American (AFCA, AP, CBS, FOX Sports activities, FWAA, The Sporting Information, The Athletic, Walter Camp), received the SEC Jacobs Blocking (greatest blocker within the convention) Trophy, and was a finalist for the Rimington (greatest heart in nation) Trophy.
Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
Scouting report: Van Pran-Granger is, in my humble opinion, a super undertaking for the Eagles and Jeff Stoutland to spend money on. He’s robust, imply, and performed nicely in a convention stuffed with freak defensive linemen. He has a body that may add a bit extra weight to it with out sacrificing any mobility, however he wasn’t the quickest in faculty the place he was listed 30+ kilos heavier so there may be undoubtedly a effective line to stroll there. Van Pran-Granger is a potent run blocker and is ready to rise up to the second stage and eradicate linebackers on runs between the tackles. He doesn’t have the Kelce-like skill to tug and paved the way on outdoors operating performs however, to be truthful, few do, particularly as a rookie. The Birds have had loads of latest success with drafting gamers from Georgia in order that they’ll have already got a great relationship with the Bulldogs workers to get any inside data they want earlier than choosing him. I’d guess he’s a 3rd or fourth spherical choose proper now.
Highlights:
