The Eagles will surely be looking to beef up their defense after their abysmal performance last season. While Philly will have their work cut out of for them. They fact that they have two second round picks could play a key role on who they target and when. With that kind of ammo, you would think that Howie Roseman will get whoever it is that has caught this eye in the 2024 Draft. For now, let’s take a look at some of the combine winners on the defensive side of the ball.
Interior Defensive Line
Braden Fiske 6’4 292, performed better than any other DT at the combine Thursday evening in Indianapolis. If you haven’t heard of him before, you know who he is now!
Braden ran a 4.78 40-yards dash, and added to that impressive performance with a 1.69 10-yard split, a 33.5″ vertical, a 9’9″ broad jump, and maybe most impressively, running a 4.37 short shuttle. For context, that slightly edged out Aaron Donald’s 4.39. Simply put, he dominated in Indy! His vertical and broad jumps were the best in his positional class. He showcased his athleticism with his speed and strength, and by excelling in the positional drills. Coupled with his nonstop motor you have a top-round talent. If the Eagles do not bring Fletcher Cox back, they will have 700+ snaps to fill in the interior of their defense. Fiske would be a great answer in filling a lot of those.
Others: Ruke Orhorhoro and Mekhi Wingo
EDGE
Chop Robinson likely solidified himself as a 1st rd talent at the combine. Everyone who watched him play this season at Penn State has seen his explosive first step, and his speed was confirmed by running a 4.48 forty-yard dash. At 254 lbs, his time was one of the more impressive in his class. Chop added a 10’8″ broad jump and his arms, which were a concern for some, measured 32 1/2″. The Eagles invest in the defensive line position more than any team with top-round selections, and they have allowed Haason Reddick to explore a trade. Edge may be a position of need, and Chop entrenched himself as one of the best in his class and possibly into the Eagle’s plans.
Others: Dallas Turner and Jalyx Hunt
Linebacker
Payton Wilson led all LBs with a blistering 4.44 forty time on Thursday. He also showcased elite scores in the 10 and 20-yard splits. For a man his size, his speed is hauntingly good. A lot of Eagles fans would like to see Jeremiah Trotter Jr manning one of the linebacker positions this fall, and they should he is a great talent, but it seems more likely that they would select someone to pair with Nakobe Dean as opposed to replace him. Trotter Jr and Dean have a very similar body profile at 6 feet tall, whereas Payton Wilson is much longer boasting a height of 6’3 7/8.
Watching Wilson pursue ball carriers from sideline to sideline during the season, while also bringing violence to the point of attack and hitting them with bad intentions was an already-known skill. The most important part of the combine for Payton was having a clean medical report. He seems to have done that and assuaged all fears and confirmed that his injuries are a part of his past, and that his future is bright.
Others: Trevin Wallace and Kalen DeLoach
Safety
This position had 3 or 4 contenders to walk away from Indianapolis as the clear-cut best safety in class, and Javon Bullard made his case for why he is the best. Thursday night Javon stated “I think a lot of people will be surprised with what I run” and he didn’t disappoint on Friday. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, and his speed was evident in all of the drills as well.
He performed a 1.51-second 10-yard split, which was tied-for-best among safeties at this year’s NFL combine. His ability to drive out of breaks and cover receivers as well as being stout against the run are a couple of reasons why he was an All-Sec safety season last season. The Eagles have had an affinity for players from the University of Georgia in recent years, could Bullard be next?
Cornerback
There are not many players at the combine who proved themselves more than Quinyon Mitchell. He showed off his speed by running a 4.33 forty, and he also displayed his athleticism with a 38 vertical and a 10-foot broad jump. Some had questioned if he was a first-round talent due to a lack of facing top competition during his time in Toledo. He laid those fears to rest this weekend by proving that his 37 pass break-ups over the last two years and by only allowing 48 yards after the catch all season in 2023 were no fluke! “I didn’t come here to be mediocre.” Mission accomplished!
Many thought that Kamari Lassiter was the most fluid corner in his class before the combine and he proved them right this weekend. Kamari showcased his smooth backpedal and break abilities in the drills and with his very impressive 6.62 time in the 3-cone drill (best in class). Kamari has proved to be durable, playing in every game for Georgia last season, and also competitive, with his 8-pass breakups and 3.5 tackles for a loss. He can play inside or outside and his stock is soaring after his performance in Indy. He is someone the Eagles will have a lot of interest in.
Others: Andru Phillips and Max Melton
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