Some of the best college prospects from across the nation meet in Mobile, Alabama to showcase their talent. Who could interest the Philadelphia Eagles?
This week is Senior Bowl week. One of the highlights of the NFL Draft season and a fantastic tie-over in the two-week spell between the Conference Championship Games and the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl gives the nation’s top college football prospects an opportunity to strut their stuff in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams and draftniks from every corner of the earth. Coached by the Bears and the Browns respectively, the North and the South teams showcase some potential Round 1 players, including Alabama TE O.J. Howard, Western Kentucky OT Forrest Lamp, and LSU CB Tre’Davious White.
One of the most notable Senior Bowl alums of recent memory is, of course, Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz. An unheralded, raw projection coming out of North Dakota State, Wentz’s stock skyrocketed after a strong performance against the nation’s top competition in Mobile. Many of the smaller school prospects that earned an invite will have a similar opportunity this week.
Several players chose to deny the Senior Bowl invite, for various reasons. Some are injured: UCLA DE Takkarist McKinley’s denial revealed a torn right labrum, upon which he’ll delay surgery until after the Combine. Some don’t disclose: Alabama stud DL Jonathan Allen, after a long and grueling season, likely felt he needed the rest–and he probably couldn’t increase his draft stock much anyway.
To much debate, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson also denied his invitation after an equally strenuous campaign, even after Cleveland (one of the teams coaching at Mobile) personally asked him to come. Those impressed by Watson’s physical tools may believe he’s wasting an opportunity to show off for two QB-needy teams; those, like me, who see some big question marks with Watson, may find his avoidance of closer scrutiny suspicious, but a wily move for his draft stock. It may help him; it may hurt him. Only time will tell.
The Philadelphia Eagles will keep tabs on many prospects–reports regarding who they’re interviewing have already begun to surface. In this post, we’ll highlight ten players–five offense, five defense–the Eagles will keep a closer eye on throughout the draft process. These players intersect positional need and the likely round the Eagles will target them.
Weigh-ins start bright and early Tuesday morning, practices run through Thursday, and the game kicks off at 1:30 CST on Saturday. Throughout the week, these are the players to watch.
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
Pumphrey isn’t getting talked about enough as a Day 2 running back–you heard me, Day 2.
In a dense running back class, it’s easy to undervalue guys. Draft experts across the board have been rattling for more hype around Jamaal Williams from BYU and Kareem Hunt from Toledo, two other RBs that’ll join Pumphrey in Mobile. But I’d take Pumphrey, FBS record-holder in career rushing yards with 6,405, over either of them.
Pumphrey has the quickest feet in this class of running backs. His ability to stop on a dime, change direction, and start again absolutely devastates defenders in space.
This play just highlights it all from Pumphrey: the vision, lightning-quick cuts, and creator’s mindset that help him react to penetration on a crucial 3rd and 3; then, the intelligence to draw in the edge defender, the #ToeDragSwag to decelerate, and the explosion–pure explosion–to win on the outside. Pumphrey threatens the defense’s discipline and athleticism on every play. You can clearly see how.
Playing on the South squad, Pumphrey will have to prove to NFL squads that his frame (5’8, 169 lbs) won’t prevent him from producing regularly. While nobody in their right mind thinks Pumphrey’s an ideal three-down back at the next level, he’s good for 10-15 touches a game, and can rip any one of those off for an explosive play. A threat in the receiving/return game as well, Pumphrey could reach and even exceed RB Darren Sproles-like production throughout his career.
Tell me, right now, that the Philadelphia Eagles wouldn’t spend a 3rd-round pick to preserve Darren Sproles’ impact in their offense after he retires (ICYMI: he just made his third-straight Pro Bowl.)
Projected Round: 3rd
Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
You’ll hear a lot this week about Antonio Garcia, an OT out of Troy who strung together some great tape during the season and might sneak into Round 2. What you won’t hear: Tarell Basham absolutely demolished him when they faced off.
Basham, an All-American as a freshman in 2013, plays with a great motor and has nice size (6’4, 259 lbs). A raw prospect from a smaller school, Basham should benefit from NFL leveling coaching during the week–his tape shows a dearth of developed pass-rushing moves. However, he flashes potential, with great length and decent bend. A team will buy into him as a developmental, rotation pass-rushing prospect.
Basham will have to show the North coaches–and all NFL scouts present–that he can take well to coaching. If not, his raw potential may just go to waste.
The Philadelphia Eagles need to continue searching for DE depth and potential. The longer the spot next to Brandon Graham goes unfilled, the more this defense will play under its ceiling. Basham’s a player they could grab late and look to develop.
Projected Round: 6th
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
Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan
Let’s stay in Michigan, shall we? Amara Darboh was a big-time receiving threat in Ann Arbor this year, averaging over 15 yards per reception. He doesn’t have the greatest speed on the planet, but enough to get on top of DBs. He may not create the most separation either, but he’s got a great catch radius and absolutely outstanding hands (9 7/8″), and has at least one spectacular catch in almost every game, like the one below.
While he’s made more impressive grabs, I love this clip because you can see Darboh decelerate and use his large frame to box out the corner. Darboh didn’t have the greatest quarterback play in college football, so he had plenty of opportunities to showcase his tracking/adjustment ability. While not the greatest route runner, Darboh has a nice understanding of how to win with his size/catch radius as the ball arrives. That’s a valuable skill for a WR who doesn’t necessarily create the most separation.
Darboh will need to demonstrate to North coaches that he can run cleaner routes, block when called upon, and win without top-level speed. Because Darboh doesn’t separate as often/easily as other WRs will in Mobile, he may suffer from a lack of targets as unfamiliar QBs don’t trust him on 50/50 balls. As such, he may come out of the game quieter than others, and the Eagles could capitalize on that lack of hype.
Darboh is a player the Philadelphia Eagles should look for as early as Round 3, if they’re unable to grab a WR in the first two rounds of the draft: he can attack all three levels of the field and do damage after the catch. In the more likely event that Philadelphia grabs an earlier WR, Darboh could still be a great pick on Day 3. His ability to stretch defenses as a deep threat opens up the middle of the field, where current Eagles WR Jordan Matthews and TE Zach Ertz do most of their damage.
Projected Round: 4th
Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia
Rasul Douglas is the guy I expect to rise the most this week. A loose, rangy CB with incredible length (6’2, 203 lbs, 32 1/8″ arms), Douglas plays his best in off-man coverage, which allows him to jump routes with outstanding closing speed and disrupt WRs (NCAA-leading 8 INTs this season).
Though I noted his strength in off-man, Douglas shows both the physicality at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point that Philadelphia seems to value in their cornerbacks when playing press coverage. Go find his interception against Tennessee–he just takes the football away from the receiver because he wants it badder.
On top of his elite acceleration, plus physicality, and receiver-like ball skills, Douglas can move. His straight-line speed really jumped out to me on the tape, especially in his special teams contributions at West Virginia (hey, don’t the Eagles like those guys?) I wouldn’t be surprised if he runs around a 4.4 40.
Douglas joins a strong group of DBs in Mobile this week–probably the best position group there. In order to stand out among other great playmakers like Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis, Iowa’s Desmond King, and LSU’s Tre’Davious White, he’ll need to show the North squad that his aggressive play won’t lead to penalties on the next level, and that he can support in the run game.
Philadelphia has struggled in the past during the early rounds of the draft. Players selected on the first two days have notoriously flopped (DE Marcus Smith, WRs Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff) up to this point. Douglas, a corner with incredible potential, will likely be hanging around on Day 2. I think he can be an immediate, impact CB1 at the next level, and Philadelphia would be wise to snatch him up when they can.
Projected Round: 2nd
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
Dion Dawkins, OT, Temple
Dawkins is another offensive lineman who should interest Philadelphia in the middle of the draft. Built like a refrigerator (6’3, 307 lbs, 84.5″ wingspan), draft experts will debate his fit at the next level. While he played left tackle–and played it well–at Temple, his lack of foot speed and stiff kick-slide may necessitate a move to guard. I expect the Eagles to fall in love with Dawkins’ versatility (as they did with current OL Matt Tobin and Allen Barbre).
Dawkins loves to pave the road in the run game and finishes blocks well, playing with great power that would translate to guard, should he make the switch. I expect him to shine on the bench press at the Combine, as his long arms regularly forklift defensive ends into the second level.
Dawkins played well in pass-protection at Temple, showing patience and nice punch on the outside. When he engaged squarely with an edge rusher, he rarely lost. However, watching his kick-slide gives makes you cringe–it’s robotic, slow, and beatable. He’ll regularly get smoked by speed rushers on the outside at the next level, and when he feels he’s losing position, he starts to lunge instead of riding the defenders around the hoop. During North team practices, he’ll strive to show improvement on the edge in 1-on-1 reps. Any team that drafts Dawkins as a tackle needs to be aware of these issues and have a plan in place to mitigate them.
If Philadelphia grabs Dawkins, they’ll likely give him a shot at tackle–given his size and collegiate success, I know I would. He could grow into the third option behind OTs Lane Johnson and Vaitai, with the ability to play guard in a pinch. The Eagles value versatility–I think they’ll look for the Philadelphia-grown product early on Day 3.
Projected Round: 4th
Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State
Donnel Pumphrey, one of the earlier players on this list, owes his spot in part to guys like Nico Siragusa, the left guard on the line that so often opened up running lanes in San Diego State. A multi-year starter, Siragusa’s got a thick lower half and plays with nice leverage, often winning off of the snap. He moves with surprising agility for a man his size (though nobody would exactly call him a fluid athlete), and he can pull effectively in the run game. He shows nice power when down blocking or moving to the second level.
In the passing game, Siragusa can anchor but needs to learn how to settle his weight and keep balance. He often gets caught over-reaching, and while he moves his feet well and re-anchors in the face of twists, stunts, and blitzes, defensive linemen on the next level are going to push-pull Siragusa into oblivion unless he learns how to punch more effectively and patiently. Siragusa must prove to the South team coaches that he can win 1-on-1 pass-rushing drills against a variety of rushers.
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A lot of revamping and revitalization is on the horizon for the Eagles’ offensive line. If the new coaching staff and front office choose to continue developing an athletic, smaller line–as I expect they will–Siragusa could fit nicely as a mid-round pick. The Philadelphia Eagles under previous HC Andy Reid had a habit of taking mid- to late-round linemen consistently, to promote continuity and depth in the trenches. Given the OL selections last year (Isaac Seumalo in the 3rd, Halapoulivaati Vaitai in the 5th), I expect more of the same.
Projected Round: 4th