EAGLES PICKS
FIRST ROUND (10): DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama.
Upside: Hands, height, catch radius, ability to high-point the ball. From route running to playmaking, almost everything about Smith (6-2, 166) says yes. Set the SEC record with 43 career TD receptions. Last year he caught 117 balls for 1,856 yards and 23 TDs. Also averaged 21.6 yards on 11 punt returns, taking one to the house.
Downside: Skinny build could get him bullied around by press coverage trying to get off the line.
Summary: A weapon the opposition is going to have to account for on every snap.
SECOND ROUND (37): Landon Dickerson, center, Alabama.
Upside: The whole package, everything you want in a pivot. The 6-6, 326-pound Dickerson won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center. Solid pass protector per scouting publications with 32½-inch arms, 103⁄8-inch hands. A mauler who has started at every offensive line position.
Downside: Torn ACL kept him from playing in most of the 2020 National Championship game (entered in the fourth quarter). Suffered season-ending injuries in 2016 (ACL), 2017 (ankle) and 2018 (ankle) per Ourlads Scouting Services. Started 24 straight
SEC games last year before blowing out the ACL.
Summary: Size, power, strength, leadership – think a XXXL version of Jason Kelce, assuming Dickerson can stay healthy.
THIRD ROUND (73): Milton Williams, DL, Louisiana Tech.
Upside: Athletic and fast, he clocked 4.67 in the 40 at 284 pounds, had a vertical jump of 38.5 inches and a standing long jump of 10-1. Williams can rush from the edge, showing the hip bend to turn the corner and is Ourlads Scouting Services top-rated defensive tackle. Two-year starter with 44 tackles last season, 10 for loss, 4.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries.
Downside: Engulfed by the jumbo-sized blockers he’ll see in the NFL. Bites on fakes.
Summary: Athletic rotational guy with pass rush and special teams ability.
FOURTH ROUND (123): Zech McPhearson, CB, Texas Tech.
Upside: Four interceptions, varied cover skills, decent speed and ball skills and a nose for the football. The 5-11, 196-pound transfer from Penn State has kick-blocking and special teams skills, as well. Pro day: 4.48 in 40-yard dash, 40.5 inch vertical jump.
Downside: Said to be inconsistent when presented with multiple threats; gives up leverage in press cover situations too easily. Takes too many penalties.
Summary: Aggressive, nickel back/special teams prospect.
FIFTH ROUND (150): Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis.
Upside: At 5-9, 201, played just one year for Memphis, opting out in 2020 after recording 2,069 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns (13 rushing) as a redshirt sophomore. He and DeAngelo Williams are two of the three Tigers to get 2,000 or more yards. Solid route runner for a back who can line up in the slot. Averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 51 receptions worth 601 yards.
Downside: Very little yardage after contact. Functions strictly in space.
Summary: Rated a second or third-round pick by some publications, has a Donnel Pumphrey profile, only with less experience.
SIXTH ROUND (189): Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, Southern Cal.
Upside: Tuipulotu (6-2, 307) is a powerful, bulky, run-stuffer with two-gap ability. Nasty interior bull-rush when he’s not doubled. Hard to move off the spot. Twentythree tackles, 3.5 for loss and two sacks last season.
Downside: Plays slow getting off the ball, per scouting reports. Medical redshirt due to back and knee injuries in 2017.
Summary: A nose tackle who could work his way into the rotation if healthy.
SIXTH ROUND (191): Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina.
Upside: The 6-2, 254-pound Jackson is a tree-year starter who compiled 26.5 sacks and 44.5 tackles. Last year he recorded a team-leading 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Also recorded 29 hurries in his career.
Downside: Lacks height, functional speed despite three forced fumbles last year.
Summary: Developmental prospect. Special teams and a situational pass rush role are his ticket to a roster spot.
SIXTH ROUND (224): JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU. Upside: Eagles already are labeling Stevens (6-1, 215) a linebacker, and he’s played that position in addition to deep safety and box safety. Solid coverage and ball tracking skills individually and in zone per Ourlads Scouting Services. In his element in the box, where he’s delivered hits. Complete career with 109 tackles (102 solos), 21.5 tackles for loss, 19 pass breakups, 9.5 sacks, four interceptions.
Downside: Struggled fitting inside gaps at inside linebacker last season.
Summary: Hybrid safety/linebacker looking for a good home.
SEVENTH ROUND (234): Patrick Johnson,
LB, Tulane.
Upside: Productive player coming off the edge, playing inside and dropping into coverage for the Green Wave. At 6-2, 240 is disruptive moving in and out of gaps. Registered 51 tackles, 7.5 for loss, five sacks, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble last year. All-time Tulane leader with 24.5 career sacks.
Downside: Coverage skills are raw.
Summary: Needs a lot of refinement but the foundation is there to be a disruptive defender on the next level.