With the Super Bowl and collegiate all-star games in the rear-view mirror, all attention now turns towards the NFL combine and the start of free agency.
Philadelphia has the No. 22 overall pick in April’s draft and plenty of room to make a splash in free agency, making the Eagles the one team to watch in the NFL this spring.
NFL Network’s senior draft analyst and former Eagles staffer, Daniel Jeremiah, had his first conference call of the season, focusing on the upcoming scouting combine.
Jeremiah discussed Philadelphia potentially targeting a running back in the second round and the potential for other big-name additions on both sides of the football ball.
Daniel Jeremiah on the top guy at cornerback
Jeremiah told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia that there will be good options at cornerback in the back half of the first round and 14-15 guys with a three-round grade.
Nate Wiggins from Clemson, Cooper DeJean of Iowa, and Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. were his third cornerbacks off the board.
Jeremiah on the best linebacker in the draft
The Eagles need linebackers, and there are several talented inside or off-the-ball linebackers for Baltimore to key in on.
When asked about the best player at the position, Jeremiah referenced Michigan’s Junior Colson as that guy.
Colson led the National champions with 95 total tackles — a full 30 tackles more than the Wolverines’ next leading tackler.
Colson led the team with 11 tackles in the massive win over Ohio State — tying a season-best he set against Michigan State earlier. He also led the Wolverines with ten tackles in the Rose Bowl against Alabama. He tied for a team-leading eight tackles in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa and helped secure Michigan’s title over Washington with six tackles.
“Just to be able to go out there and show that I’m that true sideline-to-sideline linebacker,” Colson told ESPN of his NFL traits. “I do have every tool in the box — a big wingspan and everything that a team is looking for. I do see myself as the best backer in this draft.”
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and where he'll land
Howard Eskins asked Daniel Jeremiah about Clemson All-American linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The NFL Network draft guru believes Trotter Jr. initially has a third-round grade based on his lack of foot speed and athletic ability.
Jeremiah thinks Trotter Jr. could rise as high as the second round, and he’ll be available for an Eagles organization with multiple second and third-round picks.
Jeremiah on Eagles first round pick
Daniel Jeremiah believes the Eagles would be best served to land Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo. Still, when answering a question about the No. 22 overall pick, he’s going with Ennis Rakestraw Jr., the cornerback from Missouri.
“The Eagles have to address the pass defense this offseason. Rakestraw brings playmaking ability and toughness.”
Daniel Jeremiah on QB movement in first round
Philadelphia has Jalen Hurts set to start the first year of a new deal, so quarterback is not an organizational topic of discussion, but for fans, it’s always nice to land insight into what teams in the top ten will do.
Jeremiah notes that it’s possible that four quarterbacks could go in the first five picks of the NFL Draft: “That’d be pretty nuts if four of the first five picks were quarterbacks, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
Daniel Jeremiah on Eagles potential 2nd round pick
E.J. Smith of The Inquirer asked Daniel Jeremiah about potential running backs the Philadelphia Eagles could land in the second round.
A few names: Jonathan Brooks, Jaylen Wright, Marshawn Lloyd, and Bucky Irving.
Eagles safety approach
With Sydney Brown rehabbing a torn ACL and Kevin Byard a potential salary cap casualty, the Eagles urgently need to add safety to the mix.
During his conference call, Daniel Jeremiah says he’s unsure if any of the top safeties on the board will go in the top 50.
He then clarified, “maybe Tyler Nubin”, which would be a dream for Philadelphia.
Nubin registered five interceptions in 2023 after nabbing four, firmly establishing himself as a ball hawk with elite size and range.
