The NFL Combine takes place this weekend in Indianapolis and there’s no doubt that Eagles GM Howie Roseman will have his binoculars out. Very few GM’s are as good at finding hidden gems as the two-time Super Bowl winner, so here are 5 names he could well be keeping a close eye on.
5 underdogs the Eagles should focus on at the NFL Combine
Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
Hassanein bears a lot of similarities to Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata. As a former CrossFit star, he hasn’t played anywhere near as much football as some prospects in this class, but his stunning 2023 season that saw him amass 12.5 sacks for Boise State was a sign of what could one day be.
Hassanein has really solid size for the position at 6’2, 273 lbs, and that comes with plenty of power and athleticism. However, he’s still limited in terms of his pass-rushing moves and is absolutely going to take time to develop.
If the Eagles are in the market for a developmental EDGE rusher, Hassanein has all the fundamentals to potentially blossom into the next hidden gem.
Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
A former teammate of Cooper DeJean, Higgins has built his brand on being one of the most efficient tacklers in the nation. His play reminds me a little of Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s college tape. While his movements can sometimes be a little slow and he doesn’t boast the most athletic skillset, his energy, determination on the field, and impressive ability to dissect offensive plays and make quick reads stand out.
If Higgins can surprise athletically, his draft stock is bound to improve, and the Eagles are always on the look out for some low-risk, high-potential linebackers.
Jalin Conyers, TE, Texas Tech
With a renewed focus on the run-game, eyeing up another developmental tight end could certainly be a priority for Howie Roseman. Conyers has the speed to be a vertical threat and a soft pair of hands to boot. However, he’ll likely need to work on his blocking and ability to get off the line cleanly at the next level.
Dallas Goedert won’t be around forever, but they can build up a potential replacement in the aggregate by finding specialized blocking and receiving tight ends, and Conyers has a lot of upside to be effective in this offense as a potential YAC threat either as a big-slot wideout or a receiving tight end. If he can post some good numbers on the bench, there’s no reason the Eagles wouldn’t be interested in another impressive athlete who can help the offense in multiple ways.
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
The Eagles do have a dominant receiving corps already, but the slot position remains uncertain. We’ve seem flashes from the likes of Johnny Wilson, but drafting a receiver like Johnson, who can challenge the likes of Ainias Smith over the Summer, would be a good idea if he tests well.
There are some concerns. He only stands at 5’9 and is a little lighter which is bound to turn off scouts. However, his short-area quickness and ability to hurt a defense in multiple ways thanks to his stunning skillset could make him an intriguing product to be used all over the line of scrimmage as a gadget player.
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Eagles have found their groove when it comes to drafting corners, and a player like Trey Amos, who has become an absolute ballhawk for Ole Miss, and only gave up a 55.3 QB rating when targeted in 2024 (per PFF).
He brings great size to the table which allows him to really sink his teeth into opposing receivers, and with SEC pedigree comes a plethora of reps against some of the best young wideouts in the game. Long speed is a concern, but if he can turn heads at the combine, he absolutely has a lot of the right tools to be a versatile DB at the NFL level.
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