Philadelphia Eagles Draft: Final Seven-Round Mock Draft
Round 4 (#139 overall): Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
We’ll stick with the Volunteers in Round 4. After finding resounding success with I’m-still-pissed-he-didn’t-get-even-one-All-Pro-vote MLB Jordan Hicks out of Texas, the Philadelphia Eagles go for another injury-hampered, athletically sound linebacker in Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Having endured a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery in 2016 that cut short what was otherwise a promising final campaign, Reeves-Maybin came into the Combine notably undersized (6’0, 230 lbs). Precluded from participation in all athletic drills due to injury, Reeves-Maybin may fall entirely off of some boards. In need of a Mychal Kendricks replacement and nickel LB, Philly won’t turn up their nose at his outstanding tape.
He shows great lateral quickness and closing speed, and has the hips to cover in space. I particularly like his processing speed, which is important for an undersized linebacker who struggles to play through blocks.
Due to his lack of size, how he approaches his run fits is very important. He tends to play around instead of through blocks, which can lead to him being washed out. In Schwartz’s attacking scheme, he’ll have to develop his stack-and-shed technique–something Mychal Kendricks never did–in order to see significant playing time. Cross your fingers again.
Alternate Realities:
1) How The Mighty Have Fallen: Alex Anzalone, Florida. A dream scenario for Philadelphia has Anzalone falling just as far as Reeves-Maybin due to injury (shoulder). They could even choose to grab Anzalone with their first pick in Round 4, if he tumbles into Day 3. A plug-and-play 4-3 WILL who can also backup Jordan Hicks at MIKE, how teams handle Anzalone’s shoulder on Draft Day will determine where he lands.
2) They Be Reachin’: Tanner Vallejo, Boise State. Like Reeves-Maybin, Vallejo is undersized, twitchy, and dealt with injury his final year. Unlike Reeves-Maybin, Vallejo struggles coming to balance and squaring up his tackling targets, and while he plays with moxie, he struggles even more than Maybin when taking on blocks. More a dime ‘backer than a nickel.
3) Please, Dear God, Not: Paul Magloire, Arizona. Folks throw the phrase ‘Moneybacker’ around Magloire and fans everywhere go nuts. I was swept up in the hype as well, and once mocked Magloire to Philly. Perhaps they choose to go that direction, but as I stringently consider the scheme fit, I just can’t imagine he garners significant playing time. If he’s the pick, I’d prefer to see it in Round 6. Maybe Round 5. Maybe.
4) The Dark Horse: Steven Taylor, Houston. An explanation regarding Taylor’s lack of hype would be nice. To me, he’s a Mychal Kendricks clone–maybe a tad better in coverage. Like Kendricks, he’s a situational player who will only find the field on passing downs and can blitz effectively but can’t take on a block to save his life. If Philly trades Kendricks and wants his replica on the cheap, look for Taylor.