Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles: 3 potential “sleeper picks” to consider at 12

By David Esser

Aug 29, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) rushes the ball past South Dakota State Jackrabbits safety Joshua Manchigiah (3) in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) rushes the ball past South Dakota State Jackrabbits safety Joshua Manchigiah (3) in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Philadelphia Eagles Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after making a tackle for a loss against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB

If the Philadelphia Eagles decide to shock the the world with a first-round linebacker selection, I believe Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would be the player they target, as opposed to Penn State’s Micah Parsons.

As productive as Parsons was for the Nittany Lions defense in 2019, there’s been some genuine questions circulating regarding his overall commitment to the game. Owusu-Koramoah on the other hand went out of his way to highlight how he believes he’s “Philly tough” during one of his media appearances.

As we’re all well aware, playing in Philadelphia is no easy task, and having a certain level of mental toughness is required to survive there, especially on the defensive side of the ball:

Potential mental toughness aside for the moment, Owusu-Koramoah also fills a much greater need for Philly compared to Parsons.

Parsons is more of a hybrid outside linebacker/EDGE – a player who will excel when allowed to get after the quarterback via frequent blitzes. Owusu-Koramoah on the other hand is a true coverage linebacker over the middle, someone who can even fill in as a third safety at times due to his elite pass defense abilities.

The Eagles issues at linebacker the last two years don’t stem from a lack of run defense or a lack of a pass-rush, they stem from an inability to guard tight ends and running backs over the middle of the field. If Roseman wants to address that hole once and for all, Owusu-Koramoah would be the logical pick at 12 (compared to Parsons).

Home/Philadelphia Eagles