By Joey Esquire
ROUND 1 (Pick 14):
Corey Davis – WR, Western Michigan
Great size, long arms and catches the ball away from his body, giving him a great catch radius. Outstanding after the catch, reminiscent of Terrell Owens. Outstanding production in the MAC. Has not been able to participate in any of the major pre-draft workouts due to minor injuries.
How he fits: Major upgrade over Matthews as WR2 with WR1 potential. Has the versatility to play the slot or on the outside, and would make an outstanding tandem with Alshon Jeffery. Tremendous YAC weapon.
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
First step looks like he’s shot out of a cannon and has an array of pass rushing moves including a devastating spin move. Downside is a lack of size and power. His tape didn’t really show any instances of an effective bull rush or a speed-to-power move. Might be a bit of a reach at 14.
How he fits: His speed jumps off the screen especially when he’s rushing from out wide as a 9-tech; makes OTs off balance coming from out wide. Can get to the QB in a hurry.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Prototypical size and athleticism. Fast feet and quick hips to mirror WRs especially in the short, underneath areas. Physical at the line and through the route, and a willing tackler in run support. Blew up bubble screens thrown to his side. Downside is the deep ball. Gave up more yards (400) and more yards per reception (18.8) than almost any other top CB in the class. Still only 20 years old; 2-year starter.
How he fits: Eagles got killed in 2016 by QBs getting the ball out ASAP, neutering the pass rush. Humphrey can help with that, because he excels at defending short, underneath routes. If the pass rush gets home, Humphrey will be a stud in the Eagles defense. If the pass rush struggles, bombs away.
Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Like Humphrey, has quick feet and hips, does a great job of mirroring routes. Outstanding at the point of catch; allowed only 3 receptions on 24 contested targets last season. Allowed just four first downs the entire year. He’s a better tackler than he gets credit for, but if there is a weakness it’s tackling in run support.
How he fits: Like Humphrey, White is outstanding defending the underneath routes. Unlike Humphrey, White was not vulnerable to the deep ball in 2016. Most importantly, he finger wags.
Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Maybe the best pure cover corner of the three I have on my list. Smoother and more fluid in coverage than White or Humphrey, and every bit as good an athlete. Also strong at the point of catch, allowing 6 completions on 22 contested targets. Hardly ever out of position. Downside when I watch him is he gives up the slants and in-breaking underneath routes, but part of that may be OSU zone scheme.
How he fits: Conley fits on any defense as a pure cover corner. I think for the Eagles specifically, I might prefer White or Humphrey who I think are better competitors on inside-breaking short routes, but I’m not going to be upset with a guy like Conley.
ROUND 2 (Pick 43):
Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
Big, strong, solid inside linebacker. Outstanding tackler who can bring down RBs in the hole and athletic enough to beat them to the outside. Didn’t play much in coverage on tape, only 14 targets all of last season, but has the athleticism and size to run with the bigger TEs.
How he fits: Bit of a question mark; would likely force Hicks to move to WIL.
Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
The best RB prospect in the class. A total package with size, speed, vision, and patience to wait for the blocks to develop and hit the hole hard. Dual threat as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. No real football downside, but we’ll have to get to a moral place where our enjoyment of the team outweighs our disdain for what Mixon did.
How he fits: Perfect fit for basically any offense. He’s a three-down back which the Eagles don’t currently have, and Doug Pederson has already praised his abilities as a runner and a pass catcher. Would be the three-down back the Eagles need and would be a huge weapon in their screen game.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State’s dual threat; 101 rushing attempts, 67 receptions in 2016. Profiles as a slot WR in the NFL. Looks great running routes; can make cuts at full speed and get easy separation underneath, then is outstanding after the catch with great top-end speed. Bottom line, figure out a way to get the ball into his hands and let him go to work.
How he fits: Eagles currently have Jordan Matthews in the slot, who relies mostly on size and decent route running to get open. If the Eagles want to change that to a smaller, quicker slot guy, Samuel can step right into the role and add a YAC dimension that they don’t get from Matthews.
Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
Tall, long and fast. Does a great job keeping the ball in front of him, and has the speed to turn and run with a receiver. Strong at the point of catch, allowing 4 receptions on 23 contested targets. Will surrender the underneath, quick routes, but does a great job of keeping them at 5-7 yards and not letting the WR get behind him.
How he fits: Not a typical Schwartz corner in that he will give up some of the underneath stuff. Danger with the Eagles defense is that this can neutralize the pass rush. But the Eagles gave up the third-most pass plays of 25+ yards in the NFL in 2016, so maybe a corner who keeps the play in front of him won’t be so bad.
Tarell Basham, DC, Ohio
Jumps off the screen on tape. Great quickness and first step for a guy his size, relentless motor, and has bend to get around OTs. Also used long arms to fend off blockers Outmatched OTs in the MAC, but fared well against better competition (looked great vs Tennessee and against Antonio Garcia vs Troy). Needs to get stronger to beat NFL tackles. Might be a slight reach at 43.
How he fits: Quick first step and an outstanding motor would be a perfect fit in the Wide 9. Also looks great on the games and stunts Jim Schwartz loves to run.
