Each group has totally 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 group’s board. The Philadelphia Eagles are not any totally different and I’ve taken the freedom of choosing 5 place teams that would use some reinforcements from the faculty ranks heading into the 2024 season.
The primary group up is: cornerback.
The Eagles, so far as I can inform, solely have one cornerback who’s going to be a free agent this offseason (Bradley Roby, who signed with the group in October after being lower by the Saints final summer time) however numerous modifications will nonetheless possible be made to this unit. To begin with, there can be a brand new defensive coordinator on the town (most certainly Vic Fangio) and second of all…this group didn’t carry out as much as expectations in 2023 whether or not attributable to age or damage.
Listed below are a trio of cornerback choices (not simply first spherical!) that the Eagles ought to contemplate when they’re finally on the clock. (all measurements are from participant’s school bio)
T.J. Tampa, senior, Iowa State
Measurements: 6-foot-2 and 200 poundsCareer stats: 46 video games; 106 tackles (82 solo); 9.5 TFL; 3 interceptions; 22 passes defended; 1 pressured fumble
Bio: Tampa, a local of St. Petersburg, Fla., got here to Iowa State in 2020 as a 3-star prospect after a profitable highschool profession in soccer and basketball. After two seasons as a backup, Tampa began 24 video games over his ultimate two years in Ames and earned Second Staff All-Large 12 (2022, coaches) and First Staff All-Large 12 (2023, AP and coaches). He was additionally named AP Third Staff All-American as a senior and was Honorable Point out Large 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
Picture by James Black/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos
Scouting report: The very first thing you’ll discover about Tampa is his spectacular dimension for a nook. He has lengthy arms and is stout sufficient to be an actual contributor in run protection. In his highlights beneath there are a selection of huge hits delivered that you simply’d usually count on to see from a security, not a nook. He has a superb capacity to trace the ball within the air and makes use of the aforementioned lengthy arms to disrupt potential catches.
I’d wager that Tampa would achieve success in any form of defensive scheme, as he can play each man and zone protection effectively. One irritating factor about Tampa’s recreation is that he’ll typically go for a spotlight reel hit, as an alternative of wrapping up basically. He has the potential to be a late first spherical choose, however will most certainly go someplace within the second.
Highlights:
Kalen King, junior, Penn State
Measurements: 5-foot-11 and 190 poundsCareer stats: 38 video games; 82 tackles (58 solo); 5.5 TFL; 3 interceptions; 28 passes defended; 2 pressured fumbles; 1 fumble restoration
Bio: King got here to Joyful Valley as a extremely regarded recruit together with his twin brother Kobe (a LB for PSU) and appeared in 13 video games as a real freshman in 2021. Throughout his standout sophomore marketing campaign, King began 9 video games (performed all 13) and led the Large Ten in passes defended (21) and cross breakups (18) whereas additionally choosing off three passes. He earned numerous all-conference and All-America honors that yr and was primed for an enormous junior season. King entered the season on the Thorpe Award, Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists. Whereas he didn’t fairly dwell as much as these lofty preseason accolades, he was nonetheless named Second Staff All-Large Ten by the coaches and the media.
Scouting report: There was discuss of King being a primary spherical prospect earlier than this season began, however I’d wager that ship has sailed until he has some form of historic efficiency on the NFL Mix. Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless loads to love about King’s recreation as a depth piece for Philadelphia’s secondary now with the potential of being a starter down the highway. I’ve been following King since his highschool days at Cass Tech, a soccer manufacturing facility in Detroit, as a result of my Wisconsin Badgers had been concerned about him and his brother and a factor that has all the time stood out for King is his athleticism.
He isn’t the most important or strongest nook within the draft, however he’s quick and fluid in protection. He’s a prepared tackler however his beneath common energy typically hinders his capacity to get by way of/round blocks. King is wise and fast to acknowledge performs, however he’ll in all probability do greatest on a group that enables him to develop for a yr or two earlier than being thrust into an enormous on-field position. I’d guess he’s a late second or third spherical choose.
Highlights:
Max Melton, fourth-year junior, Rutgers
Measurements: 6-foot-0 and 190 poundsCareer stats: 43 video games; 114 tackles (79 solo); 9 TFL; 1 sack; 8 interceptions; 30 passes defended; 1 pressured fumble; 4 fumble recoveries; 4 blocked kicks; 1 landing; returned three punts for 61 yards in his profession
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Picture by Wealthy Schultz/Getty Photos
Bio: A local of South Jersey, Melton comes from a protracted line of Rutgers athletes. His older brother Bo performed vast receiver there (at the moment performs for the Inexperienced Bay Packers) whereas each of his mother and father (dad performed soccer, mother performed basketball) competed for the Scarlet Knights. He was named to the Fourth Staff All-Large Ten by Phil Steele for his final three seasons and was consensus Honorable Point out All-Large Ten (coaches and media) throughout his final two seasons. Throughout his third yr on campus he led the nation in blocked kicks (three) whereas beginning all 12 video games at cornerback. He’ll be taking part in within the Reese’s Senior Bowl at the start of February and was additionally invited to take part within the NFL Scouting Mix.
Scouting report: Just like Tampa, Melton has good dimension for the cornerback place and makes use of it to his benefit when stepping up in run assist or when tackling receivers in open area. He has actually good ball abilities and seems to have an virtually preternatural capacity to slither previous blockers and get his hand on kicks. One thing I observed whereas watching his highlights is that he appears to play fairly far off the person he’s marking and, whereas he was capable of shut and make the play (it was his spotlight reel in any case, I’m certain there have been different occasions the place he gave up completions as a result of he didn’t break again to the ball in time. All of the instruments are there for Melton to be a helpful piece in an NFL secondary however he’ll want a number of years earlier than he’s able to contribute totally. Most likely a fourth or fifth choose.
Highlights:
