With the 2017 NFL Draft less than a month away, the City of Brotherly Love is buzzing with excitement. Philadelphia will be hosting its first draft in what feels like a thousand years, creating an added pressure for Howie Roseman and company to knock it out the park.
So far, the Eagles have done an amazing job adding talent in free agency. Despite their modest success, the Draft is where teams make a living, as they look to add to the core of their team. As of now, the Eagles have a bevy of needs to address, some more obvious than the others. This years draft prospects will go a long way in building a championship team, and luckily, it is said this draft is its deepest “talent wise” in the last few years.
With that said, I decided to take another shot at finding talent, that would fit the Birds’ and who may really interest the decision makers in the front office.
Round 1: Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State
The Eagles need to add a playmaker to share the offensive backfield with QB Carson Wentz is one of the most prominent entering the draft. Enter FSU’s Dalvin Cook. To say he is a playmaker may be putting it lightly, as he possess the size, speed, and strength to be a home run hitter from anywhere on the field. Add that to his ability to run between the tackles as he is sneaky strong, and plays bigger than he is…and what you get is a 6’0, 210 lbs star in the making. With his break away speed, Cook could come in on day one and be the back coach Pederson has coveted..looking to potentially replicate the style of Jamaal Charles.
Round 2 Teez Tabor, CB Florida:
After a disappointing forty time at both the combine and his pro day, Tabor has seen his draft stock take a big time hit. Despite the time, he is still one of the top corner prospects in the Draft and if he is still on the board by the time round 2 rolls around, the Eagles would be smart to sprint his name to the podium. He has great size, (6’0, 200 lbs), and the skill set to be a true shut down corner. Strong in both man, and zone coverage, Tabor also has a nasty streak to him. He possess everything Jim Schwartz, covets in a CB. Drafting him here is great value and a pick that would give the Birds’ a number 1 CB, for years to come.
Round 3 Ahkello Witherspoon CB, Colorado
At 6’3, 205 LBs, Witherspoon is a monster of a prospect..and has the skill set to be a pro-bowler in the NFL. After drafting Tabor, the Eagles, would be wise to double down and pick up another stud here. Both aggressive, yet smart in coverage, Witherspoon, has everything you want in a prospect. He is a willing tackler and never shies away from contact. If the Birds’ were able to pull him as well in this years draft, they would be looking good on the defensive side of the ball.
Round 4 Shelton Gibson ,WR West-Virginia:
The Eagles were smart in adding Alshon and Torrey to their WR room, but adding a prospect like Gibson would go a long way in building the future of the team. At 6’1, 180 lbs, he has good size and great game speed. A true deep threat for West Virginia, drafting Gibson would give the Eagles a young prospect to build around, and a player who could grow with Carson Wentz..much like former West Virginia alum Wendell Smallwood was last year.
Round 4 Antonio Garcia OT, Troy:
We sat down with Garcia earlier this week and after a few minutes of conversation, it was apparent that he was a perfect fit for the Eagles. At 6’6, 305 lbs, he has the size to be a legit starter one day. His athleticism and skill set could lead to him being a future pro bowler. With the thick base coaches covet in prospects and the strength to bully defensive linemen, Garcia would be a absolute steal in the fourth round.
Round 5 Alex Anzalone, LB Florida:
This 6’3, 240 lbs, freak of nature is one of those players who never seem to get the hype they deserve. Despite struggling with a few injury issues, he is a tackling machine and always seems to know when and where a play is developing. A self proclaimed film nerd, Anzalone has the right mind set and skill set mix, be a great depth player, and one day a string starter in the NFL.
Round 6 Keionta Davis, DE Chattanooga:
Hailing from the small school of Chattanooga, Davis may not get the media attention most prospects get, but do not be fooled, he is the real deal. At 6’4, 245 lbs’ he possess great size to set the edge in the run game and has great speed to come off of it on the pass rush. The Eagles added Chris Long this off season, yet are in need of depth on the outside. Davis would be a great rotational player that could one day be a force for the Eagles.
Round 7 Eddie Jackson, S/CB Alabama:
Jackson, could have easily been a top ten pick this year, had it not been for a season ending injury. He still could go earlier than this, but for this draft, we will say he falls to the Birds’ in the seventh which is a great thing. The 6’0 prospect, is a ball-hawk of a safety who can double as a nickel corner. He also has the skill set to play on the outside and is a true threat in the return game. A willing tackler and always seems to be the guy that makes a big play. He may not be able to play this year, but when he is healthy, he is easily one of the best players, in the entire draft, making this pick here a no brainer.
Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
