Two weeks later, I am finally getting around to writing the post draft analysis. I have a ton of excuses as to why this took as long as it did, but the major one is Covid-19.
All in all, the Philadelphia Eagles had themselves a draft, and in doing so they really did not draft much. They went in with 10 picks and came out with 5 selections, A.J Brown, and the most sought after UDFA. To say I missed would be an understatement, but in my first write up I did make sure to acknowledge that I did not think the team would be making all of the draft picks and that they would be drafting their norm.
In other news, before the analysis, Andy Weidl is currently interviewing his second time for the Steelers GM job. In my opinion it is all but done. The Eagles released his brother earlier last week and also cut ties with several scouts that he brought along with him. Andy is someone who the Eagles valued heavily, but when it is their time to move on the Eagles rarely hold someone back.
I strongly believe that the Eagles went into this draft looking for the future and you can see that with their first two picks. This is not a bad game plan for a team that has aging veterans.
Jordan Davis IDL/NT Georgia
To say that Jordan Davis is a freak athlete is an understatement. The man runs as fast as a wide out and can beat the center/guard combo on a double team. Davis biggest issues are his weight and his consistency to stay on the field. At Georgia, he was mainly a run-stuffing mauler that took on double teams for his former and current teammate Nakobe Dean to make the tackles.
Davis will be on the field this year and he will be a contributor, however I do not believe he will be a starter (barring injuries). This gives him time to learn from Fletcher Cox on his pass rushing technique in order for him to be the game changing IDL that he was for Georgia. I’m extremely excited about this pick because having a good rush helps cover your weak secondary.
Cam Jurgens C Nebraska
Not much to say here. I said that Dickerson is the heir apparent and apparently I assumed wrong. The Eagles went and got an athletic 6’ 3” center that can move (posted the same time as Kelce). Interesting enough, Kelce was actually involved with this pick and deemed Jurgens a better center then Linderblom. This is a safe play for the Eagles and one that we all probably knew was coming.
Jurgens looks to play Center but also has “some” guard versatility. I don’t see him getting playing time unless Kelce is hurt or the Eagles clinch a berth where they want to give their veterans some time off. I am happy that they went and got their guy and if Jurgens can play 10-12 years in the league following a HOFer I would call this pick a homerun. However, Jurgens does need to work on getting to the next level, and not being bullied by some of the bigger NT and DT that he will face in the NFL.
Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
I was shocked. I was in awe. I sat there on my couch like so many other Eagles fans and screamed for this guy in the second round. When he was there in the third round it seemed like destiny. Some say he slid due to a pec injury and some said size was also the reason he slid. Regardless, he is reunited with his Georgia teammate and ready to wreak havoc on the NFL.
Dean will be a day one starter. He has instincts to get to the ball, and to hit wrap and drive. His major call outs have to do with his 5’ 11” size and how he can defend the TE’s in the league. The answer is simple – Dean has football instincts. He knows where the ball is going and he gets there no matter what. A ton of it had to do with big man Jordan Davis taking on the blocks that were in front of him. Dean will play with a huge chip on his shoulder and I am happy he is a Philadelphia Eagle.
Kyron Johnson LB Kansas
Kyron is a high motor player that looks to play the SAM linebacker role that Hassan Reddick plays. At Kansas, he moved to this position his final year and was able to make a huge impact to get him drafted. He did lead his Kansas team with 6.5 sacks this past year and 8.5 tackles for loss. He isn’t your normal hand in the dirt OLB. He will mimic the play of Reddick in front of him.
Kyron is also a very good special teams player. I know that’s not what we want to hear, but a 6th round pick you need to be versatile and play special teams. The Eagles last year were one of the worst in the league on Special Teams. Maybe a young and hungry player like Johnson can reignite that locker room. Maybe we found out new Maragos. Who knows? But a well worth 6th round draft pick.
Grant Calcaterra TE SMU
We knew the Eagles were going to need another TE on the depth chart. Calcaterra immediately is in the battle for the 2nd tight spot. The only issue is that the second TE should be able to block. I do not see this from Calcaterra. He’s more of a vertical threat. This doesn’t mean that he can’t block but maybe he was not asked to SMU. The other issue that I have with Calcaterra is the fact that he retired and than came back.
The Eagles are usually really good with character issues, and I guess they were willing to give him a chance. I do know that he walked away for medical reasons. A plus for Calcaterra is that he did play with Jalen Hurts before and it seamed like the two did have chemistry. He needs to be able to contribute in 12 personnel as well as special teams. Tyree Jackson, who the Eagles liked last year is still a project in the making. I’d like to see Calcaterra make some sort of impact and take the hits off of Goedert.
Last but not least AJ Brown WR Tennessee Titans
We hit a walk-off homerun here. Howie is one to pay a fair market price for players and the valuation must equal the player. Brown is a superstar in the making who was up for a contract. Tennessee was not willing to pay, so the Eagles gave a first and a third to make their offenses one of the best on the NFC East. I love the guy because he just knows how to win. He gets the ball in the air and he also has RAC ability. This allows him to slide to WR1 and Smith to develop more into a WR2 (WR1).
Brown and Hurts also have great chemistry on and off the field. They both are competitive and they both want to win. Personally, I am still not sold on Hurts. But who am I? These players want to play for him; he has leadership qualities that people are willing to run through a wall for him. And for that I can at least respect him and cheer for him to be better.
Some other notes…
Carson Strong
I called that the Eagles would draft him. I was wrong, but he does land on the team with 300K guaranteed. What this means to me is that this man will make the roster and that Minshew might be used for trade bait if and when a QB goes down (Think Sam Bradford in 2016). All of the complaints about his knees are there but man he can sling the ball.
Mario Goodrich
He did not get drafted but man he deserves to be on this team. The Eagles didn’t spend a draft pick on a Corner Back but they did guarantee this guy 220K. I expect him to go out there from a big program like Clemson and immediately bring the intensity to try and play for the Philadelphia Eagles.
One last thing, I was at the Phillies game for Dollar Dog night where A.J Brown threw out the first pitch. First of all, the man delivered a strike down the plate. As I was walking to my seats I ran right into him without even noticing. He threw up a Fly Eagles Fly hand gesture and kept moving. I think this team is going to be an exciting one to watch and cheer for. Unfortunately, the Phillies lost the game but. Oh Well
I can’t wait for the next one. Hopefully there will be more to talk about i.e. Trade (Minshew, Reagor, Dillard) or they are able to go out and get a player like Bradburry or anyone else that is being cut to just solidify that secondary room. As always GO BIRDS.
