The Philadelphia Eagles addressed concerns at WR in round 1 and looked to build through the trenches in day 2. The Eagles left one of their biggest needs, secondary, unaddressed. Luckily, the birds have 8 picks on day 3, I would expect GM Howie Roseman to be active in the trade market.
Here is a list of Day 3 targets for the Eagles based on need, scheme fit, and talent.
Thomas Graham Jr, CB, Oregon
Graham is an average athlete but he makes up for it by displaying good technique. He is experienced in zone coverage and would be a strong addition to the Eagles roster. The Oregon product has excellent timing and good ball skills.
Zech Mcphearson, CB, Texas Tech
Mcphearson is a day 3 sleeper. He is one of the most experienced corners in a zone defense in this draft. He shows flashes of brilliance and would be a great developmental piece. The Big 12 standout could be a good rotational player in 2022.
James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Wiggins has an injury history, but that is the only thing that kept him from being picked in round 2. He excels at all areas of the field and has a lot of versatility. He is a perfect fit for a Jonathan Gannon defense.
Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati
Cincinnati has a stellar safety room. Forrest is a 3-year starter on a well-coached and disciplined defense. Forrest is reliable, intelligent, and a strong tackler. Forrest could develop into a starter.
Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State:
Nasirildeen would fit a specific role for the Eagles as a big nickel defender. He is a terrific athlete and would provide depth to a secondary in need of playmakers. The Florida State prospect does have an injury history, but that hasn’t deterred the Eagles in the past.
Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
Cox is exactly the kind of linebacker the Eagles need; he is strong in man and zone coverage. He projects as a productive Starter with sideline-to-sideline range. Cox would instantly improve the eagle’s defense.
Tony Fields, LB, West Virginia
Fields is patient, athletic, and Instinctive. I cannot explain why the league is so low on him. I believe the West Virginia alum can be an immediate rotational piece on any defense. This might not age well, but I think Fields has the potential to be the steal of the draft.
Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
I featured Johnson in my Day 2 targets! I believe he would be a steal at No.123.
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 Kvon Wallace on the roster.
Offense:
Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Wallace is a Z receiver who wins 50-50 balls. Wallace doesn’t drop the football and shows competitiveness/determination to attack the ball while it’s in the air. Wallace did not run a diverse route tree in the Oklahoma States air raid scheme, but the routes he ran were flawless. Tylan would immediately be the Eagles second best WR.
Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Update: Jordan is falling due to poor testing at his pro day. That doesn’t concern me at all. Just watch the tape, he is a good athlete.
Jordan could immediately contribute in the passing game. He is not the most polished route runner but Jordan is impossible to Tackle. He is the most gifted YAC tight end in this class (yes, you read that right). Kyle Pitts is incredible but Brevin Jordan runs like he’s angry at the ground.
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
Update: Carter is sliding! At this point he would be a fantastic pick for the Eagles
Carter has a lot of wiggle to his game. He has excellent vision and is more than just a third-down back. This would certainly bolster the Eagles RB room, but I don’t see the Eagles making this pick unless he slides.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC:
Update: I think St. Brown’s fall is because he isn’t “great” at any one thing. Later in the draft teams often look for players to fill specific roles. St. Brown will immediately improve any WR room.
The name may sound familiar, St. Brown is one of many prospects this year with NFL bloodlines. His brother, Equanimeous St. Brown is a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers. The USC prospect is a good ballplayer, he is versatile and a refined/technical route runner. Amon-Ra will be a solid player in the league for years to come.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
Smith-Marsette could be a steal for the right offense. He’s a graceful route runner with excellent speed, return skills, and can easily stack defenders in the vertical passing game. Ihmir could be the deep threat the Eagles have been searching for since Desean Jackson (when he wasn’t always injured).
The eagles have a clear and obvious need in the secondary. Thankfully, there is plenty of talent left on the board for the Eagles to improve the back end of the defense. Just keep in mind the Eagles are building for the future, not 2021.
Photo Credit: Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire
