The Philadelphia Eagles traded up with the Dallas Cowboys for wide receiver DeVonta Smith with their first-round selection. By drafting Smith, the Eagles end a 19-year drought without selecting a single player from Alabama (Seriously, look it up).
The Heisman Trophy winner should instantly improve a weak wide receiver room, but the birds still have several positions of need to fill on both sides of the ball. The Eagles’ pick in round 2 is No. 37 overall, and their third-round pick No. 70 overall.
Here is a list of day 2 prospects I believe the Eagles will target based on need, scheme fit, and talent:
Eagles defensive targets
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State:
Samuel has a nose for the football just like his father. He had 29 PBUs in 31 games as an undersized corner (5’10, 180). He is a perfect scheme fit for a Jonathan Gannon defense that will heavily feature zone. Samuel is a tremendous athlete with a very high football IQ. He can get pushed around by big-bodied receivers but is always in a good position to make a play on the ball. The Eagles could use someone of Samuel’s caliber.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse:
Melifonwu is a bit overrated due to his elite athleticism. His game needs some refinement, but Jonathan Gannon might just be the coach to help him reach his potential. Ifeatu is experienced in zone coverage and certainly has the talent to be a shutdown corner.
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU:
Moehrig would be a steal at No.37. He is the best safety in this class and would give the eagles a reliable playmaker for years to come. The former TCU star can play every position in the secondary and he does it surprisingly well. Moehrig lacks elite ball production but is a complete player.
Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana:
Johnson has received a lot of hype for the way he played against Ohio State. The star safety was the main reason why Justin Fields had one of the worst games of his college career. Johnson is versatile and generates turnovers. He works best in split zone coverages and displays physicality in run defense. Johnson will need time to develop and the eagles afford to wait with Rodney Mcleod, Anthony Harris, and K’Von Wallace on the roster.
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama:
Barmore is raw but has immense talent. This pick would ensure that the Eagles’ defensive line remains a position of strength. I believe Barmore would benefit from learning from Fletcher Cox. He is athletic and can get to the QB quickly but is inconsistent against the run. Two Alabama players might be unrealistic considering Howie Roseman’s draft history, but Barmore is a high ceiling player.
Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech:
I do not know much about Milton Williams other than he might be the most athletically gifted DT prospect in the past 10 years. He put up some gaudy numbers at his pro day. No one in this DT class is near him as an athlete.
Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest:
Basham is a powerful rusher at 6’3, 272, he can play both sides of the line and can play DT on obvious passing downs. The Wake Forest standout has a relentless motor which helps him dominate in run defense. If this sounds a lot like Brandon Graham, well it’s because Basham plays a lot like Graham.
Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State:
Robinson has long arms and stocky build that is perfect for the NFL. He is an Intelligent Player that excels in stopping the run. There is a lot of room for Robinson to grow as a pass rusher, he will need time to develop. The Eagles have had success taking developmental Edges before with Josh Sweat. A four-star high school recruit, Robinson is talented and will be able to fill out the Eagles Defensive line rotation.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame:
J.O.K. is a freak athlete, he is a hybrid defender who is built for the Pass Happy NFL. He’s excellent in coverage and has sideline to sideline range. Owusu-Koramoah might not have ideal size/bulk to stand up in the run game but he uses his length to shed blocks. J.O.K. is like Davion Taylor but actually good at football. It’s unlikely we select a linebacker early, but Owusu-Koramoah made it clear that he would love to be an Eagle.
Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State:
He projects as a three-down linebacker with the ability to cover tight ends. Werner has enough size and athleticism to be a difference-maker on the Eagles defense.
Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
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