The 2014 NFL Draft has come and gone, finally. The Philadelphia Eagles went into the draft needing to address certain positions, and I will breakdown and give my scouting report on each selection.
Round 1 pick 26: Marcus Smith 6’3 251 lbs OLB Louisville
Smith, a former quarterback caught my eye while watching film, preparing for the draft. This year’s class of pass rushers lacked a big group of elite prospects, but he was one of the guys a considered a potential game changer at the next level. He has a great get off and burst around the edge, with the ability to dip and bend naturally. Also has a spin move to counter his outside speed rush. Fluid athlete who looked very comfortable dropping into the hook and flat zones when asked. Still needs to get stronger in his upper and lower body in order to develop the bull rush and ability to translate speed to power. This kid is a potential double digit sack guy and a game changer. Exactly what the Eagles need in their 3-4 scheme.
Round 2 pick 10 (42): Jordan Matthews 6’3 212 lbs WR Vanderbilt
Jordan Matthews finished his career as the SEC’s all time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He comes to the Eagles with three years worth of starting experience, in college football’s best conference: The SEC. He is a guy who can do damage in the slot and outside as well. Precise route runner, sharp in and out of his cuts, knows how to use his big body to stack defenders, create separation and catch the ball. 4.46 speed for a guy his height and weight is very good, Not much a off RAC guy, doesn’t make defenders miss in the open field and he will occasionally allow the ball get to his body and drop a pass. After the release of Jackson, drafting a WR with talent was a must and the Eagles got a top 20 player in the draft at 42.
Round 3 pick 22 (86): Josh Huff 5’11 206 lbs WR Oregon
Huff is a receiver that obviously played for Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly during his college career. Knows Kelly’s system very well, spent time playing outside and inside, where he did a majority of his damage. Has very good short area quickness and the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands after catching it due to his running back background. A guy who will make a immediate impact on special teams covering kicks and punts, and returning kicks. Huff is a tough guy and a unselfish team player.
Round 4 pick 1 (101): Jaylen Watkins 5’11 194 lbs CB/S Florida
While his teammate Marcus Roberson and Louchiez Purifoy received all of the attention over the last two seasons of college football, Watkins quietly played his game, got better and made himself into the best pro prospect of the bunch and he was the only one who got drafted. The Eagles are getting a technically sound football player who has played outside, in the slot, and at safety. At the Senior Bowl he showed the ability to play press, off man and zone. He has good instincts, is a solid and willing tackler and performed well covering kicks and punts during his college career.
Round 5 pick 1 (141): Taylor Hart 6’6 281 lbs DE Oregon
Hart, another former player under Kelly at Oregon, is a two gap DE in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He has prototype height and length, weighs 281 lbs now, but has to add another 15-20 lbs of muscle to his frame in the upper and lower halves. Had 8 sacks from the interior in 2012, but his sack production dropped off in 2013. Hart is a kid who plays hard, chases after the ball, never takes a play off. He has to learn to play with a good pad level on a consistent basis, when watching him on film, he often gets rooted out of the hole by the double team. Rotational lineman, special teams guy, possibly a starter at some point if he gets his body right.
Round 5 pick 22(162) Ed Reynolds 6’1 207 lbs S Stanford
Reynolds is a smart football player, decent instincts, but limited athletically. Struggles versus big time speed, and is a average tackler and playmaker. If he is to make the Eagles team, it will be based solely on his ability to play special teams. The Eagles had some of the worst kick and punt coverage units in the NFL last season and they need guys who can stick to their assignments, run down the field, cover and make tackles.
Round 7 pick 9 (224) Beau Allen 6’2 333 lbs NT Wisconsin
The Eagles didn’t have a natural, two gap, 3-4 nose tackle on the roster. Bennie Logan, who is a natural 3 technique DT, did a decent job filling that role last season as a rookie, but struggles taking on double teams at the point of attack. Allen is a classic, wide body, nose tackle with the ability to hold his own in the trenches versus the run. A guy who will strictly play on run downs, has no pass rush ability. Could make the team as a 7th round pick.
Key Undrafted Free Agents Signing
Trey Burton TE/WR/H-Back Florida 6’2 224 lbs
Burton is a versatile offensive weapon who can contribute to a football team in medley of ways. He was a prospect who I thought the Eagles would target in the 5th-7th round of the draft, and they got him as a UFA. He can run it and catch it, while lining up in various positions. His former teammate Jordan Reed made a huge impact as a rookie for the Redskins, and Burton is in the same mold.
Carey Spear K Vanderbilt 5’9 194 lbs
Spear aka “Murderleg” made 39-50(78%) field goals during his career, with a career long of 54 yards. Outside of being the kicker and kickoff guy, Spear also takes pride in going down and making tackles as well. He put a vicious hit on the Vikings 2013 1st round pick and Pro Bowl returner Cordarelle Patterson during the 2012 season, which was one of the SportsCenter plays of the year. After Alex Henery’s mediocre 2013 season, finding a possible replacement was very important.
Make sure you listen to the Sports Trap Radio NFL Draft Recap Show on Thursday May 15th, 12pm-2pm EST.
