Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles Draft | 10 Senior Bowl Players to Watch

By Benjamin Solak

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) looks to throw a pass during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) looks to throw a pass during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Philadelphia Eagles
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tre’Davious White (18) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Robert Wheelwright (15) and returns it for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

Tre’Davious White is another corner folks expect to start generating hype at Mobile–while I’m not as high on White as I am on Douglas, he’s another Day 2 corner that should interest Philadelphia. He’s a great athlete who understands the technical particulars of the cornerback position: he plays with ideal pad level, base, eyes, and feet. You rarely see him out of position against all varieties of wide receivers.

His ball skills flash on tape, but he doesn’t locate/disrupt consistently, and he lacks the straight-line speed to lock down elite speedsters. Playing for the South team, he’ll have to be sure he doesn’t get burned this week, or his stock may take a hit. Despite his struggles, his size, length, and physicality allow White to battle with every wideout he faces. He’s a bit like fellow LSU product Jalen Mills, in that way–a physical, technically sound corner who likes to fight.

White has the edge over Douglas in his tackling. I think White almost revels in screens thrown to his side of the field, as he closes on pass-catchers with great acceleration and aggressiveness. He’s active in the run game and could also contribute at the NFL level on special teams.

Another potential CB1 who may slide lower than his draft stock, Philadelphia could look to snatch White up on Day 2. Given the density of the position, don’t be surprised if the Eagles focus on potential Round 2 corners throughout the draft season, looking to snag an impact weapon on offense in the first round, and a potential shutdown DB in the second.

Projected Round: 2nd

Ben Boulware, LB, Clemson

At first glance, Boulware is just a guy on the National Champion Clemson Tigers’ squad–albeit, a captain and emotional centerpiece. However, I think a bit more credit can be given to Boulware as a special team’s maven/solid backup that can develop into a starter in the right system.

Boulware plays with great instincts, and I would bet he boasts of a high football acumen. He reads and reacts really well and rarely misdiagnoses in the face of misdirection. Though he certainly lacks top end speed, he regularly demonstrates the range to move sideline to sideline and prevent runners from turning the corner.

He lacks the ideal frame as a 4-3 MIKE in the NFL, but guess what? So does MLB Jordan Hicks (6’2, 238 lbs, 32″ arms compared to Boulware’s 6’0, 236 lbs, 30″ arms), so Philadelphia shouldn’t be afraid. Boulware regularly played in Clemson with tenacity and an unstoppable motor, and he’ll need to prove to South team coaches and scouts that his relentlessness will translate against the stiffest of competition.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ impending departure from oft-incensed WLB Mychal Kendricks makes linebacker a sneaky need for Philadelphia in the upcoming seasons–the durability of Hicks and last year’s 7th rounder LB Joe Walker don’t help, either. Boulware’s a guy you can grab late, plug into the system/special teams, and he’ll give you everything he’s got on every play. If he’s around in the late rounds, the Eagles should pounce.

Projected Round: 6th

Home/Philadelphia Eagles