College football season is halfway over, and now as these college players have helped established themselves as serious draft candidates, it's starting to become more important where Eagles scouts have been seen at so fans can get an idea of who the team might be trying to draft come April. Below is where scouts were visibly seen at during October's college football schedule, and which players they may have had a close eye on:
**If you need a refresher here are the games Eagles scouts attended in September**
•October 5th - Ohio State vs. Michigan State
Ohio State
Jeffrey Okudah | CB | Junior | 6’1 201lbs
Stop reading if you’ve heard this before: an Ohio State Buckeye corner at the top of a draft board. If you’re still reading, Okudah is a top three or four corner expected to be drafted in 2020, and the Eagles certainly need help at the position
Current Projection: 2nd Round
Malik Harrison | ILB | Junior | 6'3 240lbs
The depth at the linebacker position for the Eagles is very faint, and with Nigel Bradham aging it seems wise to want to invest a pick on a defensive signal-caller, and Harrison is certainly a solid one (if he even declares for the draft this year).
Current Projection: 3rd-4th Round
Jordan Fuller S | Senior | 6’2 205lbs
Replacing the aging safety position will be a top priority this offseason for the Eagles. Fuller is an all-around athlete, but needs to work on his tackling abilities in the open field.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Damon Arnette CB | Senior | 6’0 195lbs
Arnette has the ability to play outside corner and in the slot. He doesn't have blazing speed so it feels like he'd be the equivalent of Jalen Mills or Rasul Douglas in that he is good in the short-field game but a liability if needed to cover a deep threat.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Shaun Wade CB | Sophomore | 6’1 194lbs
Obviously with him being so young he might stay in school another year or two, but there is still a chance he declares for the 2020 draft. Most of his play comes in the slot, and he is a solid tackler and coverage guy. He'd definitely be intriguing for the Birds.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
K.J. Hill WR | Senior | 6’0 198lbs
He has the speed and quickness current healthy Eagles receivers don't have. He is also reliable and doesn't drop passes often. He is certainly someone the Eagles should have their eye on.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Baron Browning ILB | Junior | 6’4 230lbs
It is likely he stays in school to build up more film and develop more, but if he does declare he would basically be a lottery item since he hasn't been the exclusive guy for the Buckeyes inside. He could either develop into a star or never really learn new traits and fully develop his abilities.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Michigan State
Raequan Williams DT | Senior | 6'4 304lbs
The Eagles entered this season expecting to have solid depth at defensive tackle with Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson and Tim Jernigan on the roster. But all three have been dealing with injuries and the latter two missed most of the season so far. The team absolutely can not go through another year without healthy depth at the position. Williams has shown off pass rushing and run stuffing traits in college, and both would come in handy for the Eagles team
Current Projection: 3rd-4th Round
Kenny Willekes DE | Senior | 6'4 260lbs
The Eagles defense is successful when their defensive line can generate a pass rush. Willekes can certainly provide that, as has 19.5 sacks in his college career so far. He can also get into the backfield on runs, as he has 42.5 TFLs to his name as well.
Current Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Kevin Jarvis OG | Junior | 6'4 307lbs
If he declares he could get drafted in a decent spot, but he might want to stay his his senior year and try to become a 1st round talent. With Brandon Brooks and Isaac Seumalo playing solidly, there isn't an immediate need for OG help, but outside of them there is absolutely no depth behind them.
Current Projection: 3rd Round
Joe Bachie ILB | Senior | 6'2 237lbs
He has been an effective blitzed in his time in college, and certainly has the size needed to be an effective linebacker at the next level. However, he is limited in his athletic ability and needs to work on his coverage and awareness skills.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
•October 5th - Perdue vs. Penn State
Penn State
Yetur Gross-Matos DE | Junior | 6'5 242lbs
YGM is an athletic freak of nature, and with the other defensive ends on the roster outside of Brandon Graham not producing, the Eagles might be forced to draft a defensive lineman early. Remember Jim Schwartz's defense is only good if the defensive line can create pressure, which Gross-Matos certainly can do.
Current Projection: 1st-2nd Round
K.J. Hamler WR | Junior | 5'9 165lbs
All Nittany Lions fans and alumni were happy after the Eagles 2019 draft, which resulted in Miles Sanders and Shareef Miller staying in the Keystone State. Those fans were right about Sanders so far, and now most are foaming at the mouth thinking about Hamler in the Eagles offense. He could effectively jump right in and take Nelson Agholor's role in the slot in 2020. He might be limited to the slot role due to his size, but he has big play abilities. Doug Pederson could also do some sweep plays just to get the ball in his hands and use his acceleration.
Current Projection: 3rd Round
Cam Brown ILB | Senior | 6'5 222lbs
Taking a linebacker from Linebacker University might be a smart move. Brown isn't as established as his successors, but he could still wind up being an effective man in the middle of the field at the next level. He seems to prefer forcing fumbles rather than securing tackles, which could become his downfall if he doesn't develop his tackling abilities.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
•October 9th - Arkansas State practice
Omar Bayless WR | Senior | 6'3 207lbs
Bayless has been a star for the Red Wolves, he already has over 1,100 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. At 6'3 he has great size for a receiver, and could become the redzone threat that JJ Arcega-Whiteside was supposed to be for the Eagles. Alshon Jeffery is getting older and slower, and this could be a guy brought in for training camp to try and steal a job away.
Current Projection: UDFA
•October 11th - Colorado vs. Oregon
Oregon
Troy Dye LB | Senior | 6'4 225lbs
Dye is a pretty good coverage guy, but gets pretty shy at times when tackling. He has the athleticism to develop into a solid player overall though.
Current Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Shane Lemieux OG | Senior | 6'6 316lbs
Like mentioned before, the Eagles are fine with their starting guards, but they need to find some depth because Halapoulivaaiti Vaitai and Matt Pryor are unknown commodities at this point. Lemieux can be someone the team tries to develop, especially since they're likely to have 10 picks in this draft.
Current Projection: Day 3 pick
Jacob Breeland TE | Senior | 6'5 237lbs
Of course the Eagles don't need a starting tight end of even a backup, but the team likes to run 12-personnel so much that they need an effective 3rd tight end on the roster just in case Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert get injured. We already this problem happen in the Falcons game, when Doug Pederson was going to focus on 12-personnel most of the game on offense, but a pregame injury to Goedert led to the offense struggling because of not having a contingency plan. Breeland won't be a blocker at the next level, but he can be a decent pass-catcher and that's what the Eagles would use him for.
Current Projection: 3rd-4th Round
Deommodore Lenoir CB | Junior | 5'11 190lbs
If he declares Lenoir should hear his name called pretty early, but he could always choose to stay and try to develop into a first-round pick. He has similar strengths and weaknesses to the current Eagles corners: physical but can be duped on double moves or just get beat over top on vertical routes.
Current Projection: 3rd Round
Jake Hanson C | Senior | 6'5 307lbs
Jason Kelce was a late-round pick, so why not get his possible successor in the same manner? Kelce has stated he has already been contemplating retirement, so the Eagles need to be proactive this offseason in securing a legitimate backup for him, or else Carson Wentz will suffer. Hanson could be worth a flyer, but he's the polar opposite of Kelce in that he is slow and heavy-footed.
Current Projection: Day 3 pick
Colorado
Laviska Shenault WR | Senior | 6'1 215lbs
Shenault can be an offensive weapon at the next level, as he has gotten snaps at wide receiver, running back and wildcat quarterback in college. He has the abilities to turn into a true #1 receiver in the NFL, and the Eagles certainly need that for Carson Wentz moving forward.
Current Projection: 1st Round
Mustafa Johnson DL | Junior | 6'2 290lbs
He probably isn't declaring due to the likelihood of him being a late pick, so he should return for his senior season to build up more draft stock. However, if he does declare he could be a decent guy to take a late-round flyer on. He has 10 sacks in his college career and can probably take snaps at defensive tackle and defensive end due to his size.
Current Projection: Day 3 pick
•October 12th - Michigan State vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Chris Orr LB | Senior | 6'0 224lbs
Orr actually backed up Eagles rookie TJ Edwards when they were both at Wisconsin. He has come along as a leader of the Badgers defense that is one of the best in college football. He's a hard-hitter and can blitz well from the middle of the field.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Tyler Biadasz C | Junior | 6’3 307lbs
A true Wisconsinnite — Biadasz is a tough interior offensive lineman. Biadasz leads one of the best offensive lines in CFB. He would probably be the best possible successor of Jason Kelce in this draft, and certainly worth investing a high pick in.
Current Projection: 1st-2nd Round
Zack Baun EDGE | Junior | 6’3 235lbs
Baun is injury-prone but when on the field he is productive. He never takes a play off, which Philadelphia fans always enjoy. He's an underdog that can be rallied around when trying to make a 53-man roster as a late-round pick.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
•October 12th - Utah vs. Oregon State
Utah
Jaylon Johnson CB | Junior | 6’0 190lbs
Like many other cornerbacks mentioned earlier on this list of potential Eagles prospects, Johnson is an extremely physical defensive back but can be easily beaten on pump fakes and double moves. His abilities to be a ballhawk though might be worth the risk of those fakes costing him.
Current Projection: 2nd Round
Leki Fotu DT | Senior | 6’5 323lbs
Fotu is pretty tall for an interior defensive lineman, but that just means he can knock some passes down if he gets his hands up in time. He has pure power and can be an effective defensive tackle in the NFL.
Current Projection: 3rd-4th Round
Bradlee Anae EDGE | Senior | 6’3 265lbs
Anae isn't flexible or athletic, but he is still powerful enough to push offensive linemen back and pressure quarterbacks. He can still develop, but if not he probably doesn't have enough skill to become an NFL regular.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Britain Covey WR | Senior | 5'8 170lbs
Covey can only be effective as a slot guy in the NFL because of his (lack of) size, but he is a great kick and punt returner in college. With Darren Sproles in his final year the Eagles will have competition for that role in 2020. If he isn't draft I'd like to see the team bring him in as a camp body and prove himself in that role.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick/UDFA
Oregon State
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. OLB | Junior | 6'4 236lbs
He might not declare, but if he does he is an interesting late-round prospect. He already has 12 sacks in just 9 games this season in his first real action. 18.5 TFLs also show he can get into the backfield on running plays too.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
•October 18th - Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Maurice Ffrench WR | Senior | 5’11 200lbs
Ffrench is FAST. Two F’s fast. An explosive playmaker that can open an offense, and take the top off defenses. He can catch the ball, run the ball, or return kicks at the next level.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Kylan Johnson LB | Senior | 6’2 230lbs
Johnson is a transfer from Florida. He has six sacks and nine tackles for losses so far this season. The sacks are a little eye-opening given his position, so he could be a wildcard at the next level.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Syracuse
Alton Robinson DE | Senior | 6’4 256lbs
Robinson is explosive on the line, his first step will be his money maker in the NFL. He still needs to fully develop, but as of now he is a solid prospect.
Current Projection: 3rd Round
Kendall Coleman DE | Senior | 6’3 265lbs
He has flashed some of his talent at times, but not nearly enough to turn himself into a highly coveted prospect. So at most he will be a late-round flyer in the 2020 draft for a team willing to try and develop him.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
•October 26th - Iowa vs. Northwestern
Northwestern
Travis Whillock DB | Junior | 6’1 200lbs
A DB with good size, and tackling machine. Sounds like something the Eagles definitely need, but since he is a junior we don't know what his draft plans are yet.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Joe Gaziano DL | Senior | 6’4 275lbs
Certainly has the talent to get drafted, but isn't a well-rounded prospect. He can play both interior and exterior defensive line, which is a plus in the Eagles defense.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Paddy Fisher ILB | Junior | 6’3 245lbs
It'd probably be wise for him to stay one more year in school, but Fisher has tone-setting abilities that NFL fans would love. Still makes a lot of mental mistakes which is why it'd be best for him to stay it out one more year at Northwestern.
Current Projection: Day 3 Pick
Iowa
A.J. Epenesa EDGE | Junior | 6’6 280lbs
He has the perfect build for defensive end in the NFL, but his length will be a blessing and curse at the next level. Still, he has the talent and athleticism to be an every down player and an effective pass rusher on Sundays, which the Eagles still need to make their defense better overall.
Current Projection: 1st Round
•October 26th - Wisconsin vs. Ohio State
***see players already mentioned earlier from these two teams***
