It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of those prospects, so within the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Earlier than you learn forward, please take note the next!
I’ve ranked these gamers based mostly on the Eagles’ wants and scheme matches. Due to this fact, the spherical grade I’ve given considers that. For instance, I could have had a 2nd spherical grade on a participant like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly wanted a operating again, however I’ve pushed him down the board after the signing of Barkley.
Please focus extra on the tiers reasonably than the listing. I take advantage of tiers when I’ve related grades on gamers, and there won’t be loads of distinction between gamers if they’re in the identical tier.
I attempt to watch as a lot movie as I can on these guys, however I additionally depend on others for stats and different knowledge. Large credit score to PFF and Dane Brugler for a few of the stats and measurables used within the items.
I could point out off-the-field and harm points within the studies, however I don’t actually issue that in when rating these prospects. Nevertheless, I could point out it within the summaries.
If I haven’t ranked somebody, that’s as a result of I haven’t watched them! For those who’d like me to look at somebody specifically, be at liberty to remark and I’ll attempt to get to them earlier than the draft.
Beforehand
Operating Backs / Huge Receivers / Tight Ends / Offensive Line / Defensive Line
EDGE Defenders
Tier 1
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA, 6-4 3/4, 259
Abstract: Laiatu Latu is an impressive prospect who is aware of precisely easy methods to rush the quarterback with elite hand quickness and athleticism. All the pieces he does is ridiculously quick and he seems so well-coordinated as an athlete.
Eagles Ideas: If the medicals trigger him to drop and the Eagles are OK with him, this may be an insane steal at 22. If he begins falling I might be fascinated about transferring up as a result of I feel he’s that good. That is ‘my man’ on this draft class.
2. Dallas Turner, Alabama, 6’2, 247
Abstract: Dallas Turner is an impressive EDGE prospect who doesn’t have an enormous weak spot. He’s a flexible go rusher who can even play the run and has the athleticism to drop into protection sometimes.
Eagles Ideas: He can be a terrific EDGE who has the athleticism to hurry and canopy however I count on him to be gone some time earlier than the Eagles decide at 22.
Tier 2
3. Jared Verse, Florida State, 6-3 7/8, 254
Abstract: Jared Verse has all of the instruments however nonetheless must put all of it collectively to hit his upside. He’s an aggressive jacked go rusher who wins with velocity to energy, and a really sturdy run defender however is a bit more stiff than the opposite high prospects. I like how he performs in faculty however fear somewhat about the way it interprets to the NFL.
Eagles Ideas: I fear somewhat bit about Verse at 22 as a result of I’m unsure he’s fluid or flexible sufficient to win on the sting persistently, however he would give the Eagles one other high-motor participant on the sting who is great in run protection too. I wouldn’t hate it at 22 however I’ve extra of a late 1st spherical grade.
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State, 6-2 7/8, 254
Abstract: Robinson is extra of a gifted athlete reasonably than a terrific go rusher at this stage, and he’ll want a superb teaching workers to enhance his capacity to get strain persistently. If he doesn’t win instantly he’ll wrestle (I’ve seen somebody describe him as first bend or bust which sums up his go speeding proper now).
Eagles Ideas: I can see a number of groups (together with the Eagles) being extraordinarily impressed by his athleticism. I feel he would match as an EDGE who can rush in addition to drop. The traits are excellent so the query is why did it not translate into higher manufacturing? Taking him at 22 can be a guess on the traits.
Tier 3
5. Darius Robinson, Missouri, 6’5, 285
Abstract: Darius Robinson is probably the most attention-grabbing EDGE defender on this class and NFL groups are going to see him in a different way relying on their scheme. He’s virtually too large for an EDGE, however this enables him to win with energy and rush the quarterback, and be excellent in opposition to the run.
Eagles Ideas: If the Eagles see him as a flexible EDGE who can even play at 5 approach in odd fronts, then he may have actual worth within the Fangio scheme. I feel 22 is just too excessive however I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles see him as a singular expertise that may match the Fangio scheme nicely. He would additionally give the Eagles a much-needed bodily run defender at EDGE.
6. Chris Braswell, Alabama, 6-3, 251
Abstract: Braswell is an explosive EDGE rusher whose sport is constructed on energy and physicality, reasonably than athleticism and pass-rushing approach. He’s a superb athlete however he’s somewhat straight-line quick, and I fear about his capacity to bend the sting.
Eagles Ideas: I feel Braswell might have a while to develop, however you’ll be able to’t train the burst and physicality that he has and I might think about him in spherical 2.
7. Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan, 6’3, 267
Abstract: Kneeland is a high-motor bodily EDGE who matches extra as a 4-3 defensive finish. He can run via offensive linemen however doesn’t have a lot else in his arsenal if this fails. He wants some work, however you’ll be able to’t train his physicality and competitiveness.
Eagles Ideas: I doubt that is the sort of EDGE the Eagles are taking a look at, as he’s not somebody you need dropping into protection or taking part in large in a 5-man entrance. However the Eagles are actually mild at EDGE, and in the event that they wished a base DE in a 4-man entrance, Kneeland would match. I might look his method across the 2nd, however I count on him to go earlier.
8. Bralen Trice, Washington, 6-3 4/8, 245
Abstract: Trice is an enormous, highly effective bodily EDGE defender who isn’t a top-tier athlete and likewise has shorter arms for the place. He’s going to be a tricky aggressive participant who will get strain however will probably by no means be an elite participant. He’s a little bit of a splash participant who has some worrying performs the place he doesn’t flip the nook nicely sufficient and will get caught up area in run protection. He’s a little bit of a high-floor, low-ceiling participant to me.
Eagles Ideas: I’ve seen Trice mocked round spherical 2 which feels about proper. He’s a high-floor powerful bodily participant although who wouldn’t be a nasty decide within the 2nd and will assist the Eagles on all 3 downs, though don’t count on him to bend the sting too nicely.
Tier 4
9. Adisa Isaac, Penn State, 6’4, 247
Abstract: Isaac is somebody whose traits are higher than his manufacturing proper now as he wasn’t a superb go rusher. However he may develop right into a strong starter as he has sturdy athletic traits, nice arm size, and explosiveness. The upside is de facto excessive.
Eagles Ideas: I like Isaac as a rotational EDGE rusher who can play within the Eagles’ odd fronts, and the athletic potential means I might think about him in the direction of the tip of day 2 (though I feel the movie reveals a day 3 participant proper now).
10. Jonah Ellis, Utah, 6’2, 248
Abstract: Ellis doesn’t appear to be he has the traits to be a profitable go rusher proper now, so any decide will probably be based mostly on his age, higher physique energy, and counter strikes that he has flashed. He must considerably enhance his bodily profile although however he’s extraordinarily younger and athletic, so he’s going to go greater than the movie suggests.
Eagles Ideas: I’ve seen some mocks have Ellis as a spherical 2 participant, however I feel that may be extremely dangerous and I might be ready till rounds 3/4. Something greater than this may be a decide based mostly on projection and age.
11. Austin Booker, Kansas, 6’4, 240
Abstract: Austin Booker possesses a terrific body, with lengthy arms and good motion expertise, however is extremely uncooked and has rather a lot to be taught earlier than he can begin within the NFL. He’s a guess on traits over manufacturing.
Eagles Ideas: Booker has the traits that curiosity me, however it will be an enormous threat to take him on day 2 so I might wait till day 3 earlier than I thought of taking him.
Tier 5
12. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA, 6-2, 247
Abstract: Murphy is extra of a standup rotational go rusher who might want to develop his sport to win shortly, reasonably than counting on nice hand utilization and counter strikes which take too lengthy to arrange. He’s a flexible defender who might be deployed because the EDGE in 5-man fronts or probably as an off-ball linebacker at instances.
Eagles Ideas: He is smart as a rotational athletic rusher who might be added towards the start of day 3.
13. Xavier Thomas, Clemson, 6’2, 244
Abstract: Thomas was beforehand seen as a possible 1st spherical decide earlier than scuffling with a foot harm. He has explosive traits, can bend the sting, and flashes some good pass-rushing traits, however he doesn’t excel at anyone factor and is now 24.
Eagles Ideas: If Xavier Thomas falls to the center of day 3, I might think about him as a rotational go rusher who can bend the sting and be a good backup for the Eagles.
As at all times, thanks for studying. If you would like extra detailed notes on every participant (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m considering of releasing my complete doc this 12 months. Preserve an eye fixed out for this and let me know if that is one thing you have an interest in!
