Philadelphia Eagles

2019 Eagles Draft Encyclopedia: Defensive End Edition

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With the NFL Combine come and gone, draft fanatics will be trying to piece together the incredible athletic feats this weekend in an attempt to get the jump on the up-and-coming talent. There are a ton of intriguing athletes and overlooked prospects that will be trying to up their stock before the April draft and the combine did not disappoint. This series will be an intro for those looking to get a grasp of some of the better options that will be available for the Birds. This article will be tackling one of this year’s more coveted positions in the class, defensive ends. As always, draft projections are never perfect, and even the most thorough analyses can let future Pro-Bowlers slip through the cracks. So, if you feel that I’ve missed someone, gotten it wrong, or would just like me to do a write-up of your favourite under-the-radar prospect, let me know in the comments below!

Heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, Philadelphia holds eight selections. Following the assignment of compensatory picks, their haul is as follows:

First Round Pick 25 (25)
Second Round Pick 21 (53) via Baltimore
  Pick 25 (57)
Fourth Round Pick 25 (121)
  Pick 42 (138) Compensatory
Fifth Round Pick 25 (163)
Sixth Round Pick 25 (197)
  Pick 36 (208) Compensatory

 

DEFENSIVE ENDS

First off, congratulations to Brandon Graham on his big new contract: well deserved. Still, with Chris Long getting long in the tooth and young superstar Derek Barnett coming off of a concerning injury, the Eagles defensive end unit looks shakier than we have been used to seeing over the last half-decade. While the position isn’t one of the team’s greatest needs, Philadelphia is always looking to add talent to their rotation and they would be wise not to leave their cupboards bare of young players. Who knows how Josh Sweat will turn out, or when.

Similar to the defensive tackle position (addressed in the last Eagles Draft Encyclopedia), the Eagles target players with certain traits at defensive end. Number one is a quick first step. It can’t be taught. From the 5 and 7 technique, Jim Schwartz’ defense requires quick penetration from the defensive line and rarely assigns two-gap responsibilities.

The team also frequently uses wide-9 alignments, and you just can’t have slow guys lining up in the wide-9.  The second is work ethic, which also cannot be taught. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, Derek Barnett and Michael Bennett are all infamous for their tenacity and refusal to give up on the play. It’s also important to note that none of them — save for the freak of nature that is Fletcher Cox — are plus-sized athletes for their position. The Eagles have shown they are willing to spend draft picks on undersized prospects with pass rush upside like Sweat or Alex McCallister. They do not seek out monstrous physical specimens and are much more concerned with college production and football IQ: i.e. Derek Barnett. The versatility to line up at 9-tech, 7-tech or 5-tech is also quite important as Philadelphia likes to confuse opposing quarterbacks by moving around the defensive line.

The Eagles scout team are especially active recruiters at the Senior Bowl as well as the East-West shrine game. Howie Roseman has addressed the incredible amount of talent in this year’s defensive line class and he’s not the only one taking notice. It will likely be the most targeted positions throughout the draft due to the fact that the position has both top-end talent and fascinating depth pieces. The Birds are more than willing to take chances on small-school prospects and they are rarely influenced by College Football Playoff Rankings or prospect pedigree. With that in mind, let’s jump into this week’s prospect analysis.

 

Montez Sweat – Mississippi State

Walter Football Rank: 5

CBS Rank: 4

DraftTek Rank: 4

Draft Wire Rank: 5

The Draft Network Rank: 7

Range: First Round

Size: 6’6″, 260 lbs

Breakdown: Sweat is a long, quick edge rusher who has plus athleticism in almost every category. He’s not the biggest end, but he does well to set the edge and packs a lot of strength into his frame.

Pros: Great first step that eats a ton of space. Converts speed to power effortlessly. Great initial punch, uses his hands well and takes advantage of his length. Tackles will have a hard time closing the gap and going body to body with him. Can set the edge and will shimmy around blocks against the run. Does not give up on the play. Great effort levels and tallied a lot of coverage sacks in college because of it. Has a huge tackle radius and will make plays even when he’s body on body.

Cons: Limited flexibility, bend isn’t where you’d expect it to be. It’s unclear whether he can add a top-end ability to round the edge to his game. Still has some development to do on his counter moves — when he gets those down pat, look out. Due to size, can get walked back, but he puts up a fight.

How he fits: Before he started vaulting up draft boards, Sweat was strongly linked to the Eagles at pick number 25. He’s no longer in that window and may even go in the top 10 with his special showing at the combine. He was absolutely stunning at the Senior Bowl, especially in one-on-ones, and that trend continued this weekend. However, in a similar vein to the possibility of landing Ed Oliver in last weeks article, if the Eagles are in love with Sweat they definitely have the draft capital to move up to get him. It would probably require the Mississippi State alum falling to the mid-teens and a willingness to part with both of Philadelphia’s second-round picks and possibly a “kicker”. You’d be hard pressed to find a better option to man the side opposite Derek Barnett in the 2019 draft.

Combine Stock: Up. Ran a blazing fast 40-yard dash, although I don’t think his speed was ever in question. Near the top in the 3-cone and broad. Finished in the middle of the pack on the bench and vertical jump. He probably pushed himself out of the Eagles price range.

Signature play: 

https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1087814105266880513

 

Rashan Gary – Michigan

Walter Football Rank: 2

CBS Rank: 3 (iDL)

DraftTek Rank: 3 (3-tech), 1 (5-tech)

Draft Wire Rank: 3 (iDL)

The Draft Network Rank: 6

Range: First Round

Size: 6’4″, 277 lbs

Breakdown: Gary is a big, strong defensive end with a crazy high ceiling. His college production wasn’t where it should have been considering his talent and he may take some time to fully hit his stride. At his peak, he is one of the most dangerous defensive linemen in the draft.

Pros: Very strong, difficult to move and a pain to put up with. Violent hands has a real nasty punch that stuns linemen. Surprisingly quick off the line of scrimmage for a 280 pounder. Sets a firm edge. Can handle two-gap assignments and stacks blocks to eat space. Versatility to play on the edge or as a 3-technique DT.

Cons: Production was limited. Hand technique, mental processing, and pass rush moves are raw. Power rusher, not that nuanced in terms of finesse and technique. Inconsistent effort clearly takes plays off. Does not possess enough bend to consistently round the corner. Agility in short areas is not a strength. Big hitter, but will miss on occasion going for the knockout.

How he fits: I’m not completely sold on Gary as a high first round pick and I think there are scouts that echo my concerns. Therefore, there’s a possibility he could fall to a more successful team later in the draft. I think that’s best for his development. With questions about his effort and consistency, he may be a higher maintenance option than some of his colleagues. Sliding in behind veterans like Fletcher Cox, Chris Long and Michael Bennett would be a fantastic opportunity for him. In terms of scheme fit, Gary is at his best when he can move around the line and exploit matchups and Jim Schwartz could use another versatile chip to add to the rotation. Based on talent alone, scoring Gary at 25 would be a huge get. However, I don’t think he’s someone they would move up to draft, which is what would probably have to happen to see him in midnight green.

Combine Stock: Up. He proved himself a top tier athlete. His 40 time was lost in the fray of impressive performances, but a 4.58 at 280 lbs is just ridiculous. He should go in the top 5.

Signature play:

 

Jachai Polite – Florida

Walter Football Rank: 3

CBS Rank: 5

DraftTek Rank: 5, 2 ( 3-4 OLB)

Draft Wire Rank: 4

The Draft Network Rank: 5

Range: First Round

Size: 6’3″, 258 lbs

Breakdown: One of the most dominant edge rushers in college football last season. Polite is lighting in a bottle and has an incredible bend to round the corner. There will be questions about his frame and effectiveness against the run.

Pros: Incredibly quick, beats most tackles before they even have a chance to get out of their stance. Very mobile, a sideline to sideline defender. Dips his shoulder away from contact without losing steam. Has a deeper bag of tricks than he had to showcase at the college level — even has a nice spin move. Very high motor and works his tail off even when out-matched. Has a nose for the football and punishes mistakes and missteps by linemen.

Cons: Size and frame are a concern. Not a bulky 260 and does not have the desired length for the position. Doesn’t have the strength to consistently regain leverage once engaged with a lineman. Does well with his initial rips and swims, but will need to add more techniques to disengage. Often gets pushed back off the line by bigger linemen. Has a strange rock backwards out of his stance that delays his get-off.

How he fits: The way the draft is shaping up, it’s more likely than not that Polite won’t be available at pick number 25. There are some concerns about his ability to stay on the field as a 4-3 defensive end, and he may be better suited as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Again, the Eagles have plenty of capital to move up in the draft and acquire a top end edge rusher. Polite has the size to suggest he can improve against the run and until then is a capable slasher. His compete level and speed certainly fits within the Eagles defensive scheme and he would be a welcome addition to the rotation.

Combine Stock: Incomplete. Pulled a hamstring running the 40 and did not return. Unfortunate, but it shouldn’t affect his draft stock.

Signature play: 

 

Brian Burns – Florida State

Walter Football Rank: 7

CBS Rank: 6

DraftTek Rank: 9, 6 (3-4 OLB)

Draft Wire Rank: 6

The Draft Network Rank: 2

Range: First to Second Round

Size: 6’5″, 249 lbs

Breakdown: There’s no question Burns has first-round talent as a pass rusher, but size concerns may push him to round two. He’s a very effective edge rusher, with elite bend and a good arsenal of counters.

Pros: Very technically sound, both with hands and with feet. A bend that opponents just need to be worried about. You cannot get beat to the outside. But then, he has a very strong inside move, whether by spin or subtle, nuanced footwork. You can’t win. Doesn’t have the weight you’d like to see, but has a big frame and seems like he could add quite a bit of muscle.

Cons: Not as explosive as you’d expect from a guy his size, first step is elite, but next three are slower. Hip dip disguises the fact that he plays with a pretty high pad level. Can make plays against the run as a slasher, but not much else.

How he fits: I think all this worry about Burns falling to the second round is hooey. He may be smaller than Jachai Polite at this point in his career, but his frame suggests he has plenty of room to grow. When it’s all said and done, many teams may be kicking themselves for passing on the Florida State product. The Eagles may be one of them. Picking Burns at 25 may surprise some fans, but I think we’d be lucky if he fell that far. With a standout showing at the Combine, expect him to start vaulting up draft boards.

Combine Stock: Up. Showed up at 249 lbs and had the second best 40 time for the position group. Showed fantastic agility in the open field and may have made himself indispensable to a 3-4 team. Coverage skills and change of direction really shined.

Signature play:

 

Charles Omenihu – Texas

Walter Football Rank: 19

CBS Rank: 11 (iDL)

DraftTek Rank: 10, 6 (5-tech)

Draft Wire Rank: –

The Draft Network Rank: 5 (iDL)

Range: Second Round

Size: 6’5″, 280 lbs

Breakdown: Omenihu is a tweener with great length. He’s got the skill set to be a small 3-tech or a 5-tech defensive end. He relies more on his strength and strong punch than on finesse and will have some errant movements to clean up.

Pros: Uses his length very well and extends into lineman with heavy hands.  Stout against the run and rarely gets blown backwards. Guesses the snap right often and makes no mistake with his advantage. High effort player. Has good lateral agility for a man his size. Lined up all over for Texas. Loves film.

Cons: Hand technique is inconsistent and mirrors feet. Pad level can also be hit-or-miss. This allows linemen he should beat to set an anchor against him. Can get lost in the scrum and turned around. Tight in the hips and does not have elite ability to round the corner. Doesn’t have a high-end first step, but shows some burst.

How he fits: I wasn’t sure whether to include Omenihu in my defensive tackle or defensive end list, but I think he fits better on the outside of the Eagles line. He would play the Michael Bennett role, moving around the defensive line to fill many roles on different downs and distances. We saw Bennett have as much success as a 3-tech defensive tackle as a wide-9 end, I foresee the same potential in Omenihu. The question is whether or not he has the flexibility or athleticism to play in a 9 technique at the NFL level. He had a fantastic Senior Bowl, showcasing his versatile talent tree and lighting up the stat sheet (3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF). He’s definitely worth a look if he sticks around until pick number 53.

Combine Stock: Up. Tested middle of the pack for the most part, but at his size his 40 time and movement in position drills were impressive.

Signature play: 

 

Zach Allen – Boston College

Walter Football Rank: 6

CBS Rank: 9 (iDL)

DraftTek Rank: 2 (5-tech)

Draft Wire Rank: 8 (iDL)

The Draft Network Rank: 12

Range: Second to Fourth Round

Size: 6’4″, 281 lbs

Breakdown: Is he a 3-tech, a 5-tech, a 3-4 defensive end? Allen is a no-quit kinda guy with a quick first step for a man his size,  but scouts aren’t quite sure where he fits. He’s a powerful man and a factor in the run game with great hands and strength, but will have to improve his agility and mobility and prove he can bring something to the pass rush.

Pros: Non-stop motor is probably his best quality. If not that then it’s his hand technique. Has great initial hand placement and showcases violent chops with regularity. Has a quick snap off the ball. Invites physicality and is more than willing to engage linemen. Strong lower half makes him hard to move. Good push off the line of scrimmage makes his push-pull pretty effective. Recognises blocking schemes quickly.

Cons: Really lacks any sort of bend. Not flexible and his feet get caught up in themselves. Very limited move set while rushing the passer. Not big enough to hold his own on the interior, not quick or crafty enough to rush the passer from a two point stance on the outside.

How he fits: Allen was quiet during the Senior Bowl, which may cause him to fall. In fact, he may have been better off not going. I don’t know if he’s an impact starter, but he will at least make a serviceable rotational player with upside against the run who shows some encouraging hand technique while rushing the passer. The Eagles brain trust will fall in love with his relentless effort and work ethic. He also has the versatility required to play in Jim Schwartz’ scheme. He probably would come off the field for most passing situations, at least as a rookie. Likewise, I do not think he’s worth a second round pick, but if the Eagles haven’t secured an edge rusher by the fourth round, Allen may still be there. I think he projects best in a 3-4 scheme.

Combine Stock: Even. Finished in the top 10 DL in a few drills, but that’s to be expected for a tweener prospect like Allen. With all the amazing numbers recorded by other DL and Edge prospects, he needed to really show something to up his stock.

Signature play: 

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/1100676778559827968

Jaylon Ferguson – LA Tech

Walter Football Rank: 8

CBS Rank: 7

DraftTek Rank: 7

Draft Wire Rank: 7

The Draft Network Rank: 14

Range: Second to Third Round

Size: 6’5″, 269 lbs

Breakdown: Most prolific pass rusher in FBS history. There are a lot of conflicting reports about his talent set. When you have such unbelievable success without top end metrics, scouts really struggle to put a finger on why or how.

Pros: Does a really good job converting speed to power. Strong lower half. Uses his length well. Keeps his hands working, will fight to shed blocks and work to the QB. Despite flexibility being constantly mentioned as a glaring weakness, bend on last couple of steps can be incredible in flashes. Hard to fool. Does not get knocked back against the run.

Cons: Athleticism is limited. Hand technique isn’t consistent. Despite high effort levels, can’t disengage on a regular basis. Stuck on blocks a lot and gets sacks due to motor. Will probably be a pressure over sacks kind of player (like BG). Needs to get a push off the line to be able to round the edge. Was — perhaps unfairly — disqualified from Combine participation due to an off-field altercation.

How he fits: I think Ferguson is a low second round high third round guy, so he fits into the window of opportunity for the Eagles. In many ways, he’s very similar to Brandon Graham in that he has a je ne sais quoi about him while rushing the passer. He does have more length, but still doesn’t have the prototypical traits of an edge rusher. Still, you can’t argue with the stats. Add that to the fact that he’s very stout against the run. A mid to late second rounder may be a bit rich for him in my opinion. If the Eagles trade back into the third round Ferguson should be on their radar. He may take a few years to blossom, but BG would be the perfect mentor for him. The Eagles got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl.

Combine Stock: Down. Watching his colleagues put up mind-blowing numbers from the sidelines could make him the forgotten man on draft day. The circumstances are unfortunate, but he could have really improved his stock with a good performance. He’ll have something to prove at his Pro Day.

Signature play:

This video is for the people who say he’s got no bend:

https://twitter.com/GrindingTheTape/status/1093313105059303424

Oshane Ximines – Old Dominion

Walter Football Rank: 11

CBS Rank: 8

DraftTek Rank: 6

Draft Wire Rank: 8

The Draft Network Rank: 15

Range: Second to Third Round

Size: 6’3″, 253 lbs

Breakdown: An undersized speed rusher with active hands, he may fit better as a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 end. He’ll have to prove he’s got the anchor and lower body strength to compete in the trenches at the NFL level.

Pros: Fairly quick get off lends to average speed. Will vary the timing of his attacks to throw linemen off. High football IQ, but can look lost on plays. Good lateral movement despite tight hips. Fantastic hands, violent chops and keeps his mitts working.

Cons: His bend is lackluster for a speed rusher. More quick than fast. Too easily pushed around and locked up against stronger linemen. Can really get bullied on occasion. Gets lost in the crowd when he doesn’t win the initial battle. Faced lesser competition in college.

How he fits: He’s been built up as an option for the Eagles in the second round, but I think he needs to be in a 3-4 to truly realise his potential. He showed some impressive flashes in one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl, but also lost some reps pretty handily. He may fit in as a rotational player down the road, but I think there are better options for Philadelphia.

Combine Stock: Even. Needed a better 40-time to stay in the conversation with the other speed rushers. Showed good movement and had the second best 20-yard shuttle time for the group.

Signature play: 

 

Chase Winovich – School

Walter Football Rank:

CBS Rank: 11

DraftTek Rank: 19

Draft Wire Rank: 9

The Draft Network Rank: 11

Range: Third to Fourth Round

Size: 6’3″, 256 lbs

Breakdown: Overshadowed by Rashan Gary in Michigan, Winovich may be unfairly overlooked in the draft process. He’s intelligent, and a tough worker with sound technique. Loved by fans, hated by opponents, Chase undoubtedly wears his heart on his sleeve.

Pros: Gives 100% effort on every play, vocal leader on the field. Never gives up on the play, expects the same of his teammates. Polished technique, strong mental processing. Has a great understanding of run concepts. Violent hands, can get off his blocks. Quick first step, but not elite. Although, he is pretty speedy. Beloved locker room personality.

Cons: Linear in his approach, doesn’t have the bend to round the edge. Shows tightness in space, not the most agile. Can get pushed around by bigger linemen. Base is a bit narrow and is susceptible to big shots. Ceiling is not as high as another second to third-day options, but floor is much higher.

How he fits: Unfortunately for Winovich, he’s getting next to no pre-draft buzz. That’s a huge bonus for whoever ends up selecting him. He’s a polished product and will work at his craft. He fits seamlessly into a wide-9 heavy scheme where his get off and effort can shine. He’d be a great addition to the locker room. Plus, the Eagles need a man with beautiful locks after losing Beau Allen to free agency last season. I’d be plenty happy with the Eagles calling his name in the fourth.

Combine Stock: Up. My big winner of the day. Still is not getting the love he deserves. Tested as one of the most athletic players on the field. Proved some doubters wrong about his athleticism.

Signature play:

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/1059055440238014470

 

Jalen Jelks – Oregon

Walter Football Rank: 12

CBS Rank: 13

DraftTek Rank: 16

Draft Wire Rank: 14

The Draft Network Rank: 20

Range: Third to Fourth Round

Size: 6’5″, 256 lbs

Breakdown: Jelks probably projects better as an OLB in a 3-4, but can hold his own as a stand up defensive end. A speed guy that packs a pretty solid punch for a man his size, he might just get caught in the middle of two positions.

Pros: Long and rangy. Pretty quick get-off. Great at converting speed to power. Surprisingly strong bull-rush. Good closing speed, penetrates gaps and has the length to make tackles outside of his frame. Does a good job dropping his anchor and can set an edge. Good at anticipating passes and knocking them down.

Cons: Clearly raw as an edge rusher. Will get pushed around by bigger linemen. Balance occasionally suffers due to length. Doesn’t have a whole lot of tricks. Bend is limited, hips look tight.

How he fits: Like I said, Jelks probably will have to lose some weight and play OLB for a 3-4 scheme to really shine. Although, he could also add weight to his frame to better compete as an end. He was regularly in the quarterback’s face at the Senior Bowl and also batted some passes. He definitely shows upside as a situational pass rusher and has a higher ceiling than other third day players.

Combine Stock: Down. Thought he would be faster in the 40 and looked pretty tight in position drills. Teams hoping he could show some some flashes in coverage were probably disappointed.

Signature play:

Final Analysis

Will the Eagles Draft a Defensive End? Yes. Howie never misses an opportunity to build through the trenches and this class is absolutely stacked.

What Round? With BG’s signing, my guess is it’s no longer on the radar in the first unless one of the top talents tumbles. Using one of the team’s two second-round picks makes a lot of sense. They may even look to trade down or up into the third.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

About the Author

Morgan Burkett

5-year Sportswriter for PSN. Co-Host of Flippin’ The Birds Podcast. Defensive Coach at the University of Waterloo.

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