Philadelphia Eagles Draft | 10 Senior Bowl Players to Watch

Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse

We’ve written about AET before, in our Eagles Seven Round Mock. A 4.5 40-yard dash athlete who plays bigger than his 6’1 height (keep an eye on his arm length at the weigh-in), Etta-Tawo stretches defenses as a vertical threat with high-point and big-play ability. He wins with physicality and plus tracking skills, making contested catches with strong hands (surprisingly small, only 9 1/4″) and nice body control.

AET also poses a solid threat after the catch, with deceptive quickness and nice power. He threatens to take every ball the distance.

Etta-Tawo’s struggles come from his lack of discipline/good coaching. A transfer from Maryland’s anemic passing offense, Etta-Tawo hasn’t experienced the continuity and attention that could refine his raw skills. He struggles as a detailed route-runner and often fails to make throws easier on the quarterback by gaining separation or adjusting his route. On the North squad, AET must demonstrate a willingness to learn during the week and adjust to new quarterbacks–if not, he’ll still make a flash play or two, but he’ll vanish for long spells, and he’ll be overlooked.

In a lot of ways, Amba Etta-Tawo reminds me of Los Angeles Rams WR Kenny Britt, who newly-hired WR coach Mike Groh just coached to his first 1,000-yard season. I like that marriage, and I think Philly will as well.

Projected Round: 5th

Chris Wormley, DL, Michigan

Wormley is a really interesting guy for Philadelphia. At 6’5, 297 lbs, Wormley found himself playing multiple positions on the defensive line for a talented Michigan defense. With great lateral quickness for a man his size and a nice presence against the run, Wormley could play from the edge on early downs and move inside, to rush from the interior, during clear passing situations. His versatility would really benefit Philadelphia in the event the Eagles lose DT Bennie Logan to free agency and decide to role with DT Beau Allen, who would play the interior on rushing downs and give up his spot to Wormley, a better pass-rusher, in 3rd down situations.

Wormley plays with great leverage and strength, using his long arms to power through contact–however, he doesn’t show those traits as consistently as you’d like, on tape. As a pass-rusher, he lacks an arsenal and a plan: too often he tries to outrun tackles when he could overpower them.

Despite his faults, Wormley’s a physical specimen who wreaks havoc along every point of a defensive front–he’ll need to demonstrate to the North coaches that he can do so at a consistent level. Should Logan indeed walk, the defensive line will skyrocket up the list of Philadelphia’s needs. If unwilling to shell out any more cash to the front four, GM Howie Roseman and personnel chief Joe Douglas could look to grab a player like Wormley as a young, cheap, versatile replacement.

Projected Round: 2nd-3rd