The Philadelphia Eagles have landed in Indy. The road to the NFL Draft starts at the NFL Combine and this is a crucial offseason for the Birds. Here’s a quick overview of some prospects fans should be keeping an eye on over the next few days as far as potential draft targets go.
Quarterback
The Eagles won’t be looking for a replacement for Jalen Hurts anytime soon (sorry haters) but Marcus Mariota has been given the green flag to test free agency waters. Tanner McKee might not be ready to be a QB2 just yet and we know that the Eagles love their quarterback conveyor belt.
They’ve been linked with Senior Bowl MVP, Spencer Rattler, in the past and I’d be surprised if they don’t meet with the Southern Carolina prospect this week. Built in a similar mold to Jalen Hurts, Rattler should wow during athletic testing and as a mid-round target, he will be hoping to boost his stock. The Eagles will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on him as well as some of the lesser-known QB’s in Indy.
Running back
The Eagles are going to need help at running back and like last year’s class, 2024’s is stacked with mid-round talents who have plenty of upside.
I do like the fit of Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright in Philadelphia as someone who has the size and burst to grow into a significant role in the backfield.
Bucky Irving out of Oregon could be another name to watch. He had 1,180 yards last year and possesses a similar skill set to that of Kenny Gainwell. He’s a shifty back who should excel in agility drills. If the Eagles want optionality out of the backfield, his quick cuts could be a fun fit.
If it’s a back with a thicker base they want, then Trey Benson should be on their shortlist. The FSU product looks built for the NFL level as a stronger north-south runner and he could provide teams with some real value in the heart of the NFL Draft.
Wide receiver
The Eagles have one of the most lethal receiving tandems in football but that slot spot is wide open for new blood. Michigan’s Roman Wilson is a lightning bolt who should put up an impressive 40-yard dash. He was used all across Michigan’s offense last year and is the perfect player to use as a decoy to open things up for Brown and Smitty. His versatility and raw speed would be a great addition to the room.
However, if they want to stay with the Bulldogs theme, Ladd McCkonkey is a name to watch. Injuries have haunted him up to this point and a strong combine is needed, but given that the Eagles can afford some flexibility in the role, they wouldn’t need him to take on a sizeable workload early on.
Malachi Chorley is a name I can’t help but fall in love with. The Western Kentucky product was a real winner down in Mobile and he’s an absolute YAC machine with a strong route tree. He could be a quick riser, but the Eagles will certainly have their eyes on him.
Tight end
The Eagles really need to find a long-term TE2 behind Dallas Goedert. The development of UDFA’s and low-round picks just hasn’t been there, and Goedert’s injury history doesn’t bode well if there isn’t a serviceable option behind him.
Brock. Bowers. Georgia? Tick. Freak athlete who can stretch the defense? Tick. What more needs to be said?
At 6’4, 243 lbs, Ja’Tavion Sanders is another name worth circling. He’s another monster athlete who ended his tenure with Texas 2nd all-time in TE receiving yards. He’s basically an X-receiver with the strength of a tight end. He’s going to be fun to watch.
Brevyn Spann-Ford comes in at a smidge under 6’7. The Eagles love their mismatch nightmares and BSF is reminiscent of Donald Parham Jr. in a lot of ways. He’s more of a blocking tight end but he can churn up turf in a hurry. The Eagles have experimented with bigger project TE’s in the past and Spann-Ford would give them a tight end who has far more experience as a blocking TE than former Bills QB Tyree Jackson did when he transitioned.
Offensive line
The offensive line situation in Philadelphia is interesting. They should still have enough long-term options to have a strong starting group for a few more years, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a tackle to develop behind Lane Johnson as well as some interior depth.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is a name who has been linked with the Eagles over the last few months and for good reason. He’s surprisingly agile, powerful in pass-protection, and comes from an offense that demanded he constantly reach-block and push to the second level.
Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma is a more typical tackle prospect who again boasts plenty of agility and a really impressive kick-step. At 6’7, 327 lbs, Guyton had a PFF grade of 63.7, which isn’t bad, but he’s someone who can move like a guard with the strength of a tackle. He feels like a prime prospect to enroll in Stoutland University.
TCU’s Brandon Coleman is another freak athlete with a monster reach. He measures in at 6’6, 320 lbs, but is someone who really packs a punch. He’s an aggressive lineman who battled injuries in 2023 and relies on his physical prowess to overcome technical deficiencies. Nothing Stout can’t correct.
Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via AP
