Draft Review: Philadelphia Eagles
Our draft review series continues with the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Chip Kelly project had the kibosh put on it, myself and the city are ready to look towards the future and the next chapter for our beloved Birds. The new regime came in swinging, by making a very controversial trade, giving up two firsts, a second, and a third to move up to the second pick in the 2016 draft. As a fan it’s hard to speak positive about throwing all your eggs in one basket, but as you’ll see we took what we had left and made a decent draft class out of it. Let’s jump in.
Round 1, Pick 2 – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State University
Seen as potentially the better long term quarterback when compared to the first pick of 2016, Jared Goff, it’s hard to fault a team looking to cement one of the most important positions for many years to come. Still, Wentz is a bit of a project after playing in the “less competitive” FCS. Even with less competition, Wentz would go on to win two championships and only drop a handful of the games he started. Clearly a player that is used to winning, the challenge will be for Wentz to acclimate to the speed and level of the NFL. He has the time.
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I’m not entirely sure if you can have an early pick rookie quarterback come into a better situation. Often times they are thrown right into the fire either at the start of the offseason or early into the regular season. Wentz will be able to take his time getting ready, as the Eagles gave Sam Bradford a two-year contract this past offseason. Not to mention giving Chase Daniel serious money to be a backup and teach Wentz the new head coach’s offense, which Daniel has been playing under for the last three years in Kansas City. Ideally, Bradford would play most of this season, some of next, and really let Wentz grow into the role of the franchise quarterback. While the ideal situation is rarely the reality of the NFL, if Bradford can continue improving, learn the playbook, and get some adoration from the historically rabid fans, it’s a scenario that could merge with reality. Then the next question is will Wentz be ready?
He clearly has a lot of the tools and traits you look for in a quarterback. Wentz has ideal quarterback size, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 237 pounds. His weight helps him stay agile and subsequently he posted a 92nd percentile agility score at the combine, showcasing his ability to extend plays and use his feet when needed (932 yards on 200 rushes in the last two years). Good throw velocity with above average accuracy throwing to FCS receivers. Another aspect worth remembering is that they used a pro-style offense at NDSU, meaning Wentz has experience making reads and calling audibles, extremely valuable experience to have when transitioning into the NFL. I truly believe if he can make that transition, gets time to develop and learn, the Eagles may be looking at their quarterback of the future. Will giving the farm, including a 2017 first rounder, be worth it in the long run? Time will tell.
Round 3, Pick 79 – Isaac Seumalo, OL, Oregon State
Since the Eagles were without a second, it was time to get smart with their remaining picks. It’s no secret that the line was a major concern for the Birds after being a dominant in recent years. While Seumalo played tackle at Oregon State, he’s more suited for guard or center at the NFL level. His size could do with a bit of added weight and strength, but he’s a versatile and above-average athlete for the position. While there will be no zone rushing assignments in the Doug Pederson offense, athleticism is still key to springing runs to the second level and meshes well with the current talent on the line. Talent that is quickly aging and is backed up by replacement level players. Seumalo was a very safe pick and strong insurance for the 28-year-old Jason Kelce at center, with added versatility all over the line, he played snaps at all positions in college. I love this pick.
Round 4, Pick 153 – Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia
The position selected was not surprising at all, the player however, was. Projected as a fifth- or sixth-round back, the Eagles reached a bit for a smaller back to backup the oft injured Ryan Mathews. Smallwood was a two-year starter at West Virginia and ended 2015 as the leading rusher in the Big-12 conference. A tough runner for his size, he aggressively hits the hole and punishes defenders. Not insane agility but showed some fluidity on college defenders and tested very well in the 3-cone and shuttle at the combine. Surprisingly, he was not used a ton in the receiving game at school, regardless, he has soft hands and is a skilled route runner. His former head coach called him the “best slot receiver” on their team and he’s been given praise by now head coach Doug Pederson for his route running. While there were other backs on the board I may have preferred (Johnathan Williams, Keith Marshall, Josh Ferguson) I understand the relative level of safe this pick was. You know what you are getting with Smallwood. As long as he stays on the straight and narrow and keeps from tweeting some of the, ahem, things, he’s tweeted in the past, he could be a major role player till next year’s draft at least.
Round 5, Pick 164 – Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU
I’ll just refer to him by his nickname “Big V” from here on out. Big V stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 320 pounds, earning his nickname. Another smart, versatile lineman, Vaitai adds much needed depth and some future potential where it’s needed most. While he is massive, his technique is slightly lacking so with some coaching, he could be something special and an anchor of the line. In almost 420 pass blocking snaps for the Horned Frogs in 2015, he’s credited with giving up only 18 pressures and a single sack. Add this pick to the list of safe ones by the Eagles, picks that were strong needs and players that have high floors.
Round 6, Pick 196 – Blake Countess, CB, Auburn
A bit of a reach in the sixth round for a guy with an UDFA grade, Countess comes into a position that is a major concern for the Eagles. Their secondary is a hot mess outside of Malcom Jenkins and corner is a total crapshoot. Slightly undersized for my tastes at only 5-foot-9, Countess played all of the corner positions in college and he comes with needed speed and instincts to play the slot if called upon. He could be destined for a role as a nickel corner or be transitioned over to safety, something he has done in practices so far.
Round 7, Pick 233 – Jalen Mills, DB, LSU
One of my favorite picks of the draft, Mills brings even more versatility to the secondary as a potential hybrid player. He slipped a bit due to an injury in the offseason and it was the Eagles who reaped this reward from the league. Currently running with the corners at practices, Mills has a lot of the traits that profile as both a slot corner and a safety. He has excellent footwork with really flexible and fluid hips, coupled with field and play awareness. He spent some time blitzing from the slot as well. He could use a bit more weight on his frame and some coaching on angles and wrapping on his tackles, but hard to ask for better from the seventh round. He will join the competition for a roster spot with Blake Countess, Ron Brooks, Jaylen Watkins, Denzel Rice, and JaCorey Shepard, but out of all of them, I expect him to make the cut.
Round 7, Pick 240 – Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
Another nice depth add to a deeper defensive line, McCalister is slightly underweight at only 240 pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame, but he makes up for it with pure speed and giant 36 inch arms. Not the smartest of players, he relies on his athleticism to carry him into the opposing backfield and that’s not all bad in college. Even as a “specialist” playing 40 percent of the snaps in the last two seasons at Florida, he put up 12 sacks and 17 tackles for losses, he will need to add weight to sniff a quarter of those numbers in the NFL. Hopefully a practice squad player, he can learn from one of the best lines in the NFL, bulk up, and potentially have a role down the line.
Round 7, Pick 251 – Joe Walker, LB, Oregon
Someone must have let Chip back in to take another Duck for the Eagles, but alas here we are, three spots from Mr. Irrelevant, a linebacker. A stable force for Oregon, Walker makes a nice dart throw for the Eagles. An above-average run stopper and decent cover man, he is destined for the practice squad for now but could develop into a nickel linebacker or best case a weakside linebacker.
UDFA’s to watch
If you’ve made it this far then your likely a fan and want some more names to keep track of during training camp, here is a quick list of names to watch and names that have gotten praise.
Connor Wujciak, DT
Myke Tavarres, LB
Cayleb Jones, WR
Bryon Marshall, WR/RB
Quentin Gause, LB
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- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Player Dynasty Review - March 13, 2023
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- 2021 Post-Draft Superflex and Integrated IDP Rookie Mock - May 14, 2021
