Day 3 of the NFL Draft held plenty of twists and turns for the Philadelphia Eagles, who were able to again leverage their arsenal of picks to recoup some more selections for 2025. Here’s all you need to know from the final four rounds..
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
The Eagles started things off by moving from pick 123 down to 127, picking up a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Texans in the process. With the 127th selection, they added Clemson RB Will Shipley into the mix.
The 5’11 running back ended 2023 with 827 yards and 5 touchdowns. His lack of size has been a notable concern throughout the draft process, but his patient running style and impressive agility more than make up for it.
Shipley is a versatile back who might lack some top-end speed, but commits to his running lane every single time and has no problem lowering his pad level into contact, or making a quick cut to shake off an incoming tackle.
With Kenny Gainwell in his final year, this feels like a great way to add a back who runs in a similar fashion on a rookie contract, adding some long-term developmental depth behind Saquon Barkley.
Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
This is a home-run hit in my opinion. One of my top-graded receivers in this class, Smith feels primed to thrive under Kellen moore in a slot role. He’s a versatile wideout who can do damage from just about anywhere and is as well-rounded as they come.
Smith has some real zip to his routes, but more importantly, tracks the ball incredibly well and is able to make catches away from his body on a routine basis. As far as a long-term project at slot receiver goes, you won’t find much better value than this.
He put up 795 yards during his final season as an Aggie, ending his 5-year career with 2,407 in total along with 19 touchdowns.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB, Clemson
He gets a chance to play for the same team his Father became a legendary player for. That’s a special kind of moment.
The Eagles needed linebacker help and Trotter Jr. was realistically touted as one of the best in the class. He fell deep into the depths of the Draft and it’s not really hard to see why, but on the other hand, there’s an unbelievable case to be made for adding a valuable pick here.
The Birds add a player who hits hard and encompasses a lot of the same traits that made his Father such a legendary player, but he’s also incredibly raw when it comes to play-recognition and positioning.
He’s absolutely a work in progress, but that’s exactly what the team should be looking for at the bottom of the fifth round and if he can be coached up, there’s no reason he can’t become a much better player than he is now.
Trevor Keegan, G, Michigan
at 6’6, 320 lbs, Keegan has 37 starts under his belt at Michigan, with all of them coming at Left Guard. He helped push a dominant rushing attack to three Big 10 crowns as well as a National Championship.
Keegan is someone that doesn’t fit the new mold of Eagles draft pick in the traditional sense. He’s not an athletic freak, but he is renowned a vocal leader and someone that brings a surprising level of technical prowess to the table to combat his athletic limitations.
According to PFF, he only allowed one QB hit in 2023 and didn’t give up a single sack. That has to count for something.
The latest enrolment to Stoutland University has arrived!
Johnny Wilson, WR, FSU
With the 185th pick, the Eagles selected Florida State’s Johnny Wilson. At 6’6, 231 lbs, Wilson profiles as a huge X-receiver or potential TE convert who put up 84 catches for 1,514 yards and 7 scores in 23 games for the Seminoles.
The Eagles did host him on a top-30 visit and it’s easy to see why. He has a huge catch radius and plays physically when asked. However, he never really shined as a jump-ball specialist or someone who would dominate corners.
It will be interesting to see what the Eagles do with another lab-built prospect who could well find success at TE if he bulks up a little thanks to his enormous frame.
Dylan McMahon, OL, NC State
The Eagles love finding hidden gems on the offensive front and will be hoping that Dylan McMahon is another. The NC State product defines the term versatile, with his starts being divided between both guard spots and 11 at center in his final season.
At 6’3, 299 lbs, he’s a little undersized and might need to bulk up over the next couple of years. With that said, he’s a former team captain, and another monster athlete.
McMahon should be able to compete for a depth role on the interior, with his versatility coming in very handy for a team who love their plug-and-play backups.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
