3 Small-School Steals the Eagles Can Draft in Late Rounds

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman doesn't have a ton of recent history going after small-school players in the NFL Draft, but he's proven a willingness to go after guys (even near the top of his draft classes) if the timing is right. The Eagles have used most of their picks in recent years on Power 5 players, but they have also gone after guys like Milton Williams (Louisiana Tech) and Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State).

But there are some really interesting small school players in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and Roseman is armed with five selections on Day 3. There could be some diamonds in the rough waiting for him there.

Which small school steals could the Eagles target on Day 3?

1. Shon Stephens, CB, Ferris State

Whoever ends up drafting or picking up Shon Stephens is getting a guy with a lot of mental fortitude and toughness. The fact that Stephens has stuck with football and gotten to the point of possibly being selected in 2024 is astounding.

After playing a few seasons at Bakersfield College in California, Stephens was out of football in 2020 to be with his mother who had suffered a heart attack. He tried to get back on the football field in 2021 as a walk-on at Penn State, but wasn't eligible. He was out of football from 2020-21 and returned in 2022 at West Liberty where he was an All-American after picking off eight passes. He played at Ferris State in 2023 where he picked of another eight passes and was named an All-American once again.

Although he's already past the age of 25, Stephens can be an asset on the back end of a roster with 4.40 speed and outstanding ball skills. Vic Fangio and Christian Parker might really like him as an eventual slot.