The NFL Combine in Indianapolis is always a fun event not only to see how well the top athletes in the country test, but also to watch the meteoric rise of players that most of the country had not seen play or even know exist. These diamonds in the rough are the types of players that usually fortify rosters and elevate good teams to championship winners. The Eagles have needs at every skill position on the offense.
Here is a look at 3 players who could go a long way to helping them get back to the Super Bowl.
Running Back
If the Eagles do not bring back D’Andre Swift they will need to address the RB position and fill it with an explosive player capable of replacing his production. The draft is the most cost-effective way, and there is a player who checks off all of the boxes. The mock simulators have not caught up to how good he is, nor how high up boards he has climbed and I would expect his rise to continue this week in Indianapolis. Meet Jaylen Wright.
Jaylen is 6’0 215 lbs but still boasts a 31% missed tackle rate, which was good for 5th in this RB class. He also averaged 4.4 yards after contact which was the best in class, as was his big play ability (ala Brian Westbrook) which he led with a 26% explosive rush rate.
Look for his results in the 10-yard split at the combine, which is a number that measures a player’s explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. For context last year Devon Achane (Texas A&M 5’9″) clocked at 1.51 and Bijan Robinson (Texas 5’11”) at 1.52. I expect Wright to beat them both, we will see. Either way, the Eagles should be very interested.
Wide Receiver
WR3 has been a position that the Eagles have sorely lacked production from the last few seasons. Last year Olamide Zaccheaus and Quez Watkins combined for 25 receptions. This needs to improve. One of the players who could interest the Eagles later on day 2 or day 3 of the NFL draft is UVA standout Malik Washington.
Malik is fresh off setting the ACC single-season reception records with 110 while also contributing 1426 yards and 9 touchdowns. Most impressively, and something the Eagles could desperately use, was his innate ability to move the chains. 56 of his 110 receptions were for first-downs. Malik creates space, runs precise routes, is good at producing yards after the catch, and can be used in a variety of ways, screen, slot, jet sweep, or outside. He has gone under the radar so far this draft cycle but an impressive week in Indy will elevate his stock.
Tight End
An underrated need for the Eagles TE 2 or 3. Dallas Goedert missed 3 games this season and they were unable to get any production from the position in his absence. Jack Stoll, a great blocking TE, contributed 5 receptions on the season, and Grant Calcatarra had 4. This must improve. A player who could help and who opened a lot of eyes at the Shrine Bowl was Tip Reiman. He is projected to be selected at the end of the draft but could increase his value with a good performance at the combine.
Tip stands 6’4 and weighed 273 during the season and had a surprisingly quick burst off the line for his size while playing for Illinois this year. He is a clean route runner with a large catch radius who provides plays over the middle while also utilizing his size and his punishing running style to add yards after the catch. He also has sneaky speed and can provide an occasional explosive play on a vertical route. A relative unknown, he should test very well.
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