Each crew 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 crew’s board. The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t 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 following group up is: inside linebacker.
The Eagles, underneath Howie Roseman, haven’t put an emphasis on the within linebacker place, as a substitute opting to construct from the trenches and have a imply, gifted line of defense. Whereas this has produced many good groups for the Birds, fully disregarding one place group for years on finish ultimately catches as much as you. The “catching up” was by no means extra obvious than this previous yr when the Eagles had sub-replacement degree manufacturing from the ILB place.
Heading into the offseason, Zach Cunningham, Shaun Bradley, Nicholas Morrow, and Shaq Leonard (who the Eagles signed through the yr to attempt to bolster the place) are all unrestricted free brokers. I’d be stunned in the event that they introduced Leonard again, however I can see them giving Cunningham and Morrow one other likelihood. Bradley suffered a season-ending ACL harm through the preseason and it’s troublesome to say what the Eagles would possibly do with him.
Listed below are a trio of linebacker choices (not simply first spherical!) that the Eagles ought to contemplate when they’re ultimately on the clock. (All measurements are from participant’s faculty bio)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., junior, Clemson
Measurements: 6-foot-0 and 230 kilos
Profession stats: 39 video games (26 begins); 202 tackles (113 solo); 29.5 TFL; 13 sacks; 4 interceptions; 14 passes defended; 3 pressured fumbles; 2 touchdowns
Bio: Trotter Jr. huh? I’m wondering if his father performed ball too? You could already know this, however Trotter Jr.’s father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., performed 12 years within the NFL, lots of which had been with the Philadelphia Eagles. Trotter Jr. grew up in Philly and helped lead St. Joe’s Prep to 2 straight 6A state titles. He was one of many high gamers within the nation as a senior and extensively thought-about the very best participant in Pennsylvania. The star linebacker was named an All-American by a number of shops as a sophomore and junior and was additionally named a Butkus Award finalist as a junior.
Scouting report: As a Hater, I’ve spent a number of time watching Clemson video games over the previous few years, praying on Dabo Swinney’s downfall, and, as such, I’ve seen a bunch of Trotter Jr. play. He doesn’t possess supreme dimension for the within linebacker place, however he makes up for that along with his athletic skill and his play-analyzing skill. Very like his father, Trotter Jr. can lay the lumber on opposing ball carriers however he may get swallowed up by larger, athletic offensive linemen. Nonetheless, his dimension can also play to his benefit as he is ready to disguise behind the primary degree of the protection after which, as if by magic, seem within the gap to make a cease. He’s additionally stable in go protection, which might tremendously profit Philadelphia’s protection, and reads QB’s eyes (watch the start of the spotlight under and also you’ll see a few picks that he will get simply by following the quarterback) effectively. He’ll most likely be a second or third spherical decide.
Highlights:
Cedric Grey, senior, North Carolina
Measurements: 6-foot-2.5 and 235 kilos
Profession stats: 51 video games (39 begins); 369 tackles (199 solo); 30 TFL; 8.5 sacks; 5 interceptions; 18 passes defended; 6 pressured fumbles; 5 fumble recoveries
Bio: A local of North Carolina, Grey stayed dwelling for faculty and ended up incomes First Workforce All-ACC honors in each of his final two seasons whereas incomes a few second crew All-American nods as a junior and making it to the semifinals of the Butkus Award voting as a senior. He completed second within the ACC in tackles as a senior and was one in all two gamers to report 120 or extra stops. As a junior he gained the William Fuller (who performed three seasons with the Eagles within the 90s) Defensive MVP award at UNC and was additionally a crew captain.
Photograph by G Fiume/Getty Photos
Scouting report: I actually like linebackers that all the time emerge from the underside of piles as a result of it implies that they had been sticking their nostril in there and attempting to make a play. Grey persistently finds himself across the ball and, most of the time, he finally ends up making a play on it. He strikes effectively for a man his dimension and is ready to chase down operating backs within the open area. Based mostly on his highlights he’s, at worst, satisfactory in protection and he seems to have good information of the place the quarterback goes to throw the ball. I wouldn’t count on him to be a man that’s making a ton of performs within the backfield, however he additionally gained’t be giving up large performs by being out of place. Appears to be a fourth or fifth spherical man, however I might see him transferring up if he assessments effectively.
Highlights:
Jontrey Hunter, redshirt senior, Georgia State
Measurements: 6-foot-2 and 240 kilos
Profession stats: 42 video games (33 begins); 225 tackles (122 solo); 21.5 TFL; 6 sacks; 3 interceptions; 11 passes defended; 7 pressured fumbles; 3 fumble recoveries; 1 landing
Bio: A local of Tampa, Hunter spent his first 5 seasons at Georgia State as an out of doors linebacker/hybrid security sort earlier than transferring to inside linebacker for his final season. He earned Third Workforce All-Solar Belt final yr whereas main GSU in tackles with 96. He completed his profession as the varsity chief in pressured fumbles and sixth on the all-time GSU tackles record. He participated within the 2024 Senior Bowl as effectively the place he impressed along with his protection skills.
Scouting report: Hunter is a flexible prospect that would present the Eagles protection with a variety of abilities that it presently lacks. His bio on the Georgia State web site notes that he performed OLB for his first 5 seasons after which ILB for his sixth yr, however when watching his highlights you’ll discover that he would even line up in protection with broad receivers, virtually like a field security or one thing comparable. As a consequence of that, his protection instincts and approach are extra superior than you’d count on of an inside linebacker prospect. He’s a stable tackler however nonetheless has a lot to study in regards to the intricacies of the place since, you understand, he’s solely completed it competitively for one season. Hunter is a participant the Birds might get within the seventh spherical or as an UDFA if he continues to fly underneath the radar.
Highlights:
And, if you happen to’re , right here’s a seven and a half minute spotlight tape of his sport towards LSU, the very best crew he performed towards all yr.
