Wheeling & dealing lands all-time leading NCAA rusher Pumphrey
PHILADELPHIA >> The Eagles grabbed Mack Hollins, the Riley Cooper-type wide receiver, with their first pick on the final day of the draft. Then they went rogue. Instead of letting the draft board come to them Saturday, the Eagles began wheeling and dealing, their first move designed to get a running back.
The supply of suitable backs depleted, the Eagles moved up seven slots in the fourth round for value pick Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State. The Eagles exchanged fourthround picks and sent a seventh rounder to the Vikings for the 5-8, 176-pound Pumphrey, the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher. It was the first of three trades.
“There was a run on those guys,” Eagles football operations chief Howie Roseman said. “We were really excited to make sure we got Pumphrey.”
Pumphrey can play receiver and running back. He can take a licking and keep on ticking. He clocked 4.48 in the 40 yard dash at the combine and rushed for 2,133 yards (6.1 average.) and 17 touchdowns last season.
“With Pumphrey the thing that stands out the most is prolific production,” Eagles player personnel chief Joe Douglas said. “I mean he set every record. You’re talking about a guy
who broke Marshall Faulk’s records. Lightning feet. Great feet, great hands. He’s a little dog that thinks he’s a big dog. And he plays that way. I love the way he plays.”
Pumphrey said he didn’t expect to go to the Eagles during the draft process but struck up a conversation with running backs coach Duce Staley at the scouting combine.
“He said he loved the way I played,” Pumphrey said. “At San Diego State, they motioned me out a lot. I feel like I can even transition to the slot. I just try to make guys miss and when it’s time to get down, I get down. I really don’t think about injuries or anything like that. I just play football to play it.”
Hollins (6-3½, 221) hails from Rockville, Md., a short drive from Philly. He ran 4.53 in the 40 at the combine and is healthy after fracturing a clavicle. His nearly 81-inch wingspan was the largest at the combine per Ourlads.com
Hollins is a fan of exotic pets and says he has a couple of snakes — a boa and a python.
Hollins also has a history with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, as they share the same sports agency and played catch, pre-draft on the West Coast.
“He is special,” Hollins said. “I mean his arm — a lot of guys can throw the ball far but he can throw it far and accurate and he is just really special. I have thrown with a lot of quarterbacks but he is definitely at the top.”
Hollins led the nation in 2015 with a 24.8 yards-per-catch average. Last year he had 16 grabs for a healthy 19.3 average with Mitch Trubisky. Though Hollins plays all special teams, the Eagles expect more.
“We’re not looking to draft special teams players in the fourth round only,” Roseman said. “We’re looking at a guy like that who’s got the ability to be an eventual starter.”
The Eagles traded out of the fifth round and back into it to take wide receiver/kick returner Shelton Gibson (5-10½, 191) of West Virginia. Gibson has Tavon Austin quickness and production, but not quite the long speed. Gibson scored eight touchdowns last year, averaging 22.1 yards on 43 receptions.
Scouts say he plays faster than the 4.50 he clocked in the 40.
“I think I should’ve put pads and a helmet on because I am way faster with pads and a helmet on,” Gibson said. “I fly. I think I am on the right team to fly, honestly. They are the Eagles, so they fly.”
Gibson also averaged returns.
In the fifth round the Eagles took safety Nate Gerry off the board. Gerry (6-1½, 218) ran 4.58 at the combine and is going to play linebacker. He also was suspended his final game at Nebraska due to academics issues.
In the sixth round the Eagles tabbed Elijah Qualls (6-1, 310), a defensive tackle out of Washington. 21.8 yards on kickoff