| EDGE | DT | CB | TE | SAF | WR | LB | IOL | OT | RB | QB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 – top | Abdul Carter James Pearce | Mason Graham | Benjamin Morrison* Will Johnson* | ||||||||
| R1 – bottom | Josaiah Stewart Princely Umanmielen | Walter Nolen Derrick Harmon Kenneth Grant TJ Sanders | Trey Amos | Emeka Egbuka | Josh Simmons* | ||||||
| R2 | Shemar Stewart | Omar Norman-Lott | Jahdae Barron | Harold Fannin Tyler Warren | Xavier Watts Andrew Mukuba | Tre Harris | Jalon Walker | ||||
| R3 | Nic Scourton Jack Sawyer Mykel Williams | Alfred Collins Tyleik Williams | Domani Jackson Maxwell Hairston Darien Porter | Gunnar Helm Colston Loveland | Dylan Fairchild Tate Ratledge | Josh Conerly | |||||
| R4 | Que Robinson* | Deone Walker | Shavon Revel* Zy Alexander Denzel Burke | Mason Taylor Eli Stowers | Azareye-h Thomas | Ajani Cornelius | |||||
| R5-7 | Shemar Turner JJ Pegues | Jaeden Roberts | |||||||||
| TBD | Mike Green |
EDGE
Position summary:
I’m lower on the EDGE class than most and think it’s an “average” class after we had some good drafts recently. For Eagles fans demanding a pick, I think there’s a really high chance of over-drafting a guy at their R1 pick. Couple really good guys at the top (Carter and Pearce), I am much higher on Josaiah Stewart than most (a Nolan-type EDGE), and then it’s a bunch of bigger guys I don’t see generating pressure on the EDGE or holding up inside.
Abdul Carter – the most complete EDGE
Explosive and quick, one of only a handful of guys the past few years with both a pressure rate and run stop rate above 15%, joining prospects like Nolan Smith, Nick Herbig, Latu. My issues with him are very fixable – he can get too far upfield and overpursue at times.
James Pearce – the best pass rusher
Disruptive pass rusher with consistent pressure (22%), takes bad angles at times that hurts finishing – even though his stats are top of the class, he get so close and just misses out on sacks / tackles.
Josaiah Stewart – explosive and productive, a Nolan-like pick that may take a year
Explosive, 16% pressure rate, insane 37% true pass set pressure rate, and 17% run stop rate, leader on the team. Undersized, reminds me of Nick Herbig, but consistently disruptive. People complain about his size which I just don’t see as an issue on film. My only real question is his ankles and ability bend as you don’t see him use it much. But I really have a hard time finding what I don’t like with him and keep inching him up over other guys.
Princely Umanmielen
Another disruptive pass rusher, always moving forward, 17% pass rush and run stop rates put him up with the top EDGEs in recent classes. Doesn’t drop back well to cover, his speed moving back is noticeably different – while not a high volume play for EDGEs, I mention this because Philly will drop EDGEs. Not sure what to make of the incident against Florida where he went after a fan.
Shemar Stewart – maybe the highest variance pick
Some picks have a wider range of outcomes and Shemar is one of the biggest here. His movement at his size is special and he has a play or two a game where his power just makes you shake your head. His production is just not there (10% pressure rate) but not sure I have seen somebody close to making a play and missing as often as him. Only 21 years old and he will play banged up, playing every game. But I can’t have him in R1 as a projection.
Jack Sawyer – high-floor
Debated a lot where to put him as he is a guy you can count on to set the edge, be in the right spot, and generate some pressure, but he isn’t going to win with speed/bend. Always over the RT so didn’t get film reps against guys like Olu, Alt, and Josh Conerly. Likely a high floor dependable player.
Mykel Williams – run defender in a rotation
I don’t see the explosiveness to win, nor the power inside / ability to handle doubles. His 9% pressure rate is really concerning as it shows on film – he just doesn’t win one on one. As an example, vs. Texas he logged 4 pressures and 2 sacks but they all came when he was unblocked or Arch held the ball for 3+ seconds – his zero pass rush wins (beating a block in 2;5 seconds) is reflective of the film. His best game against Florida St in the 2023 Bowl Game where he had 6 pressures and 2 sacks? Again, all either unblocked or where the QB held the ball too long – zero pass rush “wins”. He just doesn’t consistently move blockers nor show an ability to bend around them. He is good against the run and only 20 which is upside, a good player but the film nowhere near justifies a R1 grade.
Mike Green
No all-22 film is available yet, only watched OSU broadcast copy. Was looking for reps against their OTs, had 2 pressures both against Josh Fryar – I didn’t see him win against Josh Simmons. For the game only had 1 “win” (beating a block under 2.5 seconds). Will hold where he goes but based on this game and NFL OTs, he’s a R3 guy – I don’t see where people have him in R1 right now.
DT
Walter Nolen – produces despite being doubled
Aligns from NT to over tackle. Best run stop rate in this class at 14% and his 9% pressure rate is better than it seems – charting games, he is doubled the majority of snaps (64% of snaps vs. LSU where he still had 7 pressures and 2 run stops and 72% vs. UGA). Holds his space and can handle doubles. His 1.3 avg depth of tackle is behind only Mason Graham. Just turned 21 in Oct 2024. Absolutely love Nolen and he’s becoming one of my top targets for the Eagles.
Derrick Harmon
Consistent pressure against single blocks and slips well, holds up well against doubles. He’s got a 16% pressure, 28% true pass set pressure rate (which is really good and up with the top DTs in recent classes), and 10% run stop rate, all near the top of this class. The stop rate surprised me a bit as he doesn’t tackle great and has trouble finishing plays he gets close on in the games I watched.
Kenneth Grant – the 1.5 gap DT to get if you need one
He’s the type of gap and half guy Fangio wants. He’s 6’3″ 339 lbs and moves well, a bit shorter than Jordan Davis but he’s going to remind you of him – handles doubles well, probably has a bit more pass rush proven in college. Just 21 years old.
Omar Norman-Lott
Underrated pass rush with a 30% true pass set pressure rate – you see him just continue to push in on the pocket. Holds up doubles, could be better shedding and finishing tackles. Has the ability to two gap. Reminds me of Keeanu Benton but think he’s better.
Derrick Harmon
He’s the type of gap and half guy Fangio wants. He’s 6’3″ 339 lbs and moves well, a bit shorter than Jordan Davis but he’s going to remind you of him – handles doubles well, probably has a bit more pass rush proven in college.
Alfred Collins
Just know what you are getting – he’s a run stuffing guy first and holds up on blocks with good shed ability. Already 23 and didn’t break out until this season.
Tyleik Williams
He holds up on blocks but so rarely is able to disengage and make a play. He’s not a pass rusher, so you need him to shed and make stops which he just doesn’t do well enough. He’s got a 4% pressure and 8.9% run stop rate, neither are good numbers. People will question him here, but Alfred Collins honestly has the same pass rush productivity and way better run defense.
Deone Walker
Another 1.5 gap prospect that people will claim he can rush from the EDGE (over 650 career snaps from the tackle out). He isn’t an EDGE guy and on the interior, he gets pushed back way too often – watch UGA and see him get moved constantly. He’s nowhere near a day 1 guy and not a day 2 guy IMO if he can’t consume blocks and hold his space.
Shemar Turner
You just don’t see him impact the game consistently – so rarely see him get off doubles and doesn’t consistently handle single blocks. Often off balance.
JJ Pegues
Another 1.5 gap guy worth using a day 3 pick on if you need one.
CB
Position summary:
A weird class where the top-end guys have some injury red flags and then it’s a group of developmental guys that are interesting at the right value. Given how aggressively CBs are always drafted, I expect over-drafting. For the Eagles, if they want a CB2, you hope somebody like Benjamin Morrison (my top guy and somebody I would absolutely take in R1 if DL options are gone) drops or you wait and get an upside developmental guy like Darien Porter.
Benjamin Morrison – a perfect opposite to Quinyon
Lot to like – 20 years old, stays low and patient in backpedal, fluid, stays connected on breaks, can carry WRs deep, gets head turned around in coverage, and probably one of only that looked good vs. Marvin Harrison Jr in 2023. His 2023 16% PBU rate, 4% run stop rate, and 49% receptions per target all stand with recent top CBs drafted. Love his confidence and how he talks about the position, just kept thinking of how great he and Quinyon would be together. Plays press often, but he’s not the aggressive hand-fighting press CB. He stays connected to receivers although does sometimes use his arm instead of body which he will need to change as several reps I could see him getting a flag for (and had penalty issues in 2022-23). A good but not great tackler. Did have season-ending hip surgery so medicals will be key and really the only reason he could slip in the draft.
Will Johnson – incredibly smooth corner, some durability concerns
Another guy whose stats don’t tell the story. Gives up quite a bit when listed in man coverage but Michigan has him playing 10 yards off ALL the time (and a lot of his missed tackles are in off coverage as his open field tackling is only ok) – I really like him better closer to the line as he has the hips and burst to press. A better zone CB than Morrison. He is quick with love his short-area change of direction (which is one of the most important things with CBs to me) but I do wonder what his long speed is – I don’t think it’s bad, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he ran mid or upper 4.4s. Durability is a question – had knee surgery before the 2023 season, missed time due to a shoulder in 2023, and then again due to a toe in 2024.
Trey Amos
Gets his hands on the ball a ton (19% in 2024, 15% in 2023 at Alabama), stays connected in coverage and really good jumping on breaks. Plays a lot of press and where I think he is best. Gives up very little after the catch (2.8 yards per reception over the past 2 seasons and 40 receptions). Will be 23 by the draft.
Shavon Revel – ACL tear and age make this pick risky
A guy I will be lower on. Great size and speed, good run defender, aggressive player, can be grabby and doesn’t get head turned around consistently enough. Good on vertical routes and most of his targets are there with a crazy 18 ADOT, the limited underneath or breaking routes he typically is giving up some separation. Competition is a concern as it’s hard to find him going against any future pros – Michigan game had few reps, one against Cornelius Johnson where he played off and allowed a completion and another where he let Frederick Moore behind him and got bailed out on a bad throw. He’s a 2nd rounder before he tore his ACL in Sept – ACLs for skill positions are usually a 2 year recovery (1 year back and another of degraded performance – look at Trevon who is clearly not himself 15 months after his tear). I believe he will be 23 at the draft which puts him out to age 24 for probably full recovery.
Jahdae Barron – may be best nickel in this class
Lower on him primarily because he would fit where Cooper DeJean plays. He has played outside CB but don’t think he would succeed there in the NFL – played off a ton and very effective breaking on plays in front of him, I don’t think he has the fluidity or deep speed to play man corner. He’d be a good day 2 pick for somebody, just not the Eagles.
Maxwell Hairston – aggressive playmaking zone corner
He has a different body than Rasul Douglas but he reminds me of him some – you like him in man but love him in zone with the play in front of him, an aggressive playmaker that may have some long speed limitations as you will see him rarely turn to the ball when stressed downfield. But a lot to like – gets his hands on the ball more than any other CB in this class and will constantly fight receivers when the ball is arriving he has 11 forced fumbles or interceptions over the past two seasons which is insane.
Darien Porter – an upside pick
Another tall, long, fast, traits prospect, will be 24 by the draft and only has 41 career targets after converting from WR. But, I was surprised watching him in the limited film that is out there. Usually the excitement ends quickly with these tall, fast corners when they need to show change of direction. His speed is legitimate and makes up for space easily, but his change of direction is surprising. He’s only allowing a 29% completion rate and a 4.7 QB rating (both best in this class). May be the best special teams player in this class. He’s a taller, probably faster, less experienced Kelee Ringo and would be an upside pick in the late 3rd or early 4th when the “average” expected value CB is a Isaac Yiadom or Elijah Molden.
Zy Alexander – may like him more at safety than CB
Like him way more with the play in front of him as he closes well anticipates well in zone. While he sticks with WRs on vertical routes, almost never gets his head turned around. Tackles and plays the run really well, another guy that could be more interesting as a safety.
Domani Jackson – should return to Alabama for another year
I’m almost always on the side of “go to the pros and get paid” as too many guys get hurt, they need to take their shot. But Domain is a guy I think would be better off returning (he hasn’t actually declared yet so he may). Great size and speed (6’1″ and 197, supposedly a 4.28 guy) and pure physical traits, hard to find a ton of reps where he needs to cover quick change of direction but seems good there. Do not like him in zone right now as he doesn’t seem to get to the right spot quickly enough or anticipate. Given his size and physical skillset, I think he’s a guy that could move himself into R1-2 with another year. But if drafted this year, he needs to be red-shirted.
Denzel Burke – a good college CB that I don’t see winning in the NFL
Another I will be lower on than most – I wasn’t high on him last year and am not again this year because his issues are speed, suddenness, and ability to stay locked to WRs. He gives up a ton of receptions and rarely gets his hands on the ball (5% PBU rate). Even though guys like Zy Alexander, Domani Jackson, and Darien Porter are lower rated prospects and Burke is more ready to play in the NFL, I would take them as each has more upside. Burke I expect to have a Zech McPhearson-type NFL career (zone-dominant backup and special teamer).
SAF
Xavier Watts
Makes a lot of plays coming in from deep and one of the better SAFs in this class breaking on the ball. With Malachi Moore, he’s one of the best man cover SAFs in this class. Plays a lot of nickel. Team captain and leader. The Eagles should love him.
Andrew Mukuba
Not sure what to not like about him except his size – at 6’0″ 190lbs he gets knocked for being too small, but he’s similar size as Brandon Jones, Jordan Love, Elijah Molden, and Budda Baker. Gives up nothing after the catch and gets his hands on the ball more than anybody else in this class, including Watts. Will test like a freak. I don’t care about his size, I’d draft him.
Azareye-h Thomas (listed as CB in draft)
Reminds me a bit of Coby Bryant – tall with good college production but lacks the speed and short-area change of direction needed. Bryant switched to safety this season and Thomas probably finds a better home doing the same as there are things to like with him (run support, size, competitiveness). I have him listed at SAF because that’s where I’d draft him.
TE
Position summary:
History is poor for taking TEs high, both in hit rates and overall impact to the game – a TE has to be special to warrant a R1 pick and while this is a good TE class with depth, it doesn’t have a special talent. There are several day 2 guys here that would be really interesting picks – my favorite for value vs. expected draft capital is Gunnar Helm.
Harold Fannin – most complete TE
The most complete TE in this class. Sharp and sudden in routes, creates after the catch. Cannot discredit the competition as he actually played better against better teams (11/137 vs PSU, 8/145 vs. A&M). Solid and willing blocker that needs some improvement.
Tyler Warren
I was wrong on him on first watch but now that I have more than OSU and WVU film, I see what he brings. Not the sharpest route runner in this class, but he gets open, wins with his size, and can line up anywhere giving him the mismatches you want. I hate the Taysom Hill stuff and hope that stays in college and he does need to improve as a blocker.
Gunnar Helm
May be the best blocking TE in this class with good size (listed at 6’5″ 250 lbs). Catches everything with only 2 drops on 88 career targets, good route running, and has some elusiveness after the catch – he forces more missed tackles than all but Fannin in this class. In a good TE class and with 2-3 going above him likely, he could be the best value pick.
Colston Loveland
Has snap in his routes but I would say he is quick not sudden at times. Very competent but not a great blocker.
Eli Stowers
Question is can he block well enough in the NFL? If he can, you draft him as he is so good with the ball in his hands and has crispness in his routes most other TEs don’t show. But at 6’4″ and I’ve seen 225 or 235 lbs, it may be a poor fit for what the Eagles want.
WR
Tre Harris
One of the guys I liked much more on second watch – I don’t typically prefer guys that aren’t separators but he’s much better than past guys in this mold. You will see AJ Brown comps which I get but he doesn’t quite have AJs speed.
LB
Jalon Walker – He requires more explanation as this is a complicated eval and note this is an Eagles-centric view based on what they value and need. I see him listed as an LB and EDGE for the draft – I want him to be an EDGE, but there are so few reps where he really lined up and went 1:1 against an OT (3 vs. Texas with pressures on second efforts and the one after a 4 second drop back, 1 vs. Alabama at EDGE where he had no plan and got into the OT chest and a really great rep inside against the OG). His stats will show “30% pass rush with 15% pressure rate” but the vast majority of those are delayed LB rushes, not true EDGE. He was primarily used as an LB and very often as a spy. He’s valuable and impressive, I like him a lot. His intangibles are awesome. He is really slippery coming in as an LB, in the few EDGE reps showed really nice bend. I don’t think he plays as fast on the field as he supposedly is and I think he is ok but a bit overrated in coverage. But if you draft him as an EDGE, it’s a projection – on the few snaps I saw, I like him there but it is only a handful on film and you cannot say he has shown an ability to consistently beat OTs from the edge. If you are going to draft him as an LB and I think he is worth a late R1 or an early R2 pick, just pay Zack Baun instead of drafting an LB high and burning surplus value.
IOL
Dylan Fairchild – Only 21 with good size (6’5″ 315), wrestling background and love his demeanor. Had a good game vs. Ole Miss where he blocked well then had a handful of plays where he just missed blocks. Moves well in space.
Jaeden Roberts – He’s impressive physically and solid, think he probably needs to put some weight on. Off balance way too much and doesn’t explode at first step, but he is powerful. Wonder how much of this is technique, but I like him given where he likely gets taken.