Can you believe we are already a month into football season? Time is flying rapidly, but Eagles scouts have been on the move all across the country to take an in-person look at some players. We have wrapped up all of the known scouting assignments for the month of September in this article, and will discuss some players we think the Eagles scouts could have had their eye on.
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss – September 1st
Ole Miss: Greg Little | OT | 6’6, 325 lbs| Jr.
Greg Little is considered one of the best OL prospects in this upcoming draft. Jason Peters has been hampered by injuries lately and will be 37 years old at the end of the season. If Jordan Mailata doesn't show a lot of progress at practices this year, the Eagles could be forced to use their first round pick on an Offensive Lineman to help protect their franchise QB. Little will be one of the best ones available if the team ends up with a low-mid first round pick.
Ole Miss: A.J. Brown | WR | 6’1, 230 lbs| Sr.
Brown is an electrifying receiver that has a lot of size. He has some experience as an outside receiver, but excels mostly in the slot. With Nelson Agholor's contract being up after the 2019 season, the team could begin to start looking for a successor to Agholor if they can't end up affording a contract extension with Agholor.
Ole Miss: Ken Webster | CB | 5’11, 201 lbs| Sr.
Webster suffered a devastating knee injuryin 2016, which has knocked his draft stock down. But he still can be a player worth drafting if the Eagles end up moving on from Ronald Darby and/or Jalen Mills.
Ole Miss: D.K Metcalf | WR | 6'4, 230 lbs| So.
Metcalf has been slowly turning himself into a star down in Ole Miss. Him and Brown have been a dangerous combination at Wide Receiver against SEC defenses. Since he is a star outside receiver, the Eagles could plug him in on the opposite side of Alshon Jeffery. Wentz would be salivating if he had Jeffery on one side, Metcalf on the other side, Nelson Agholor in the slot and Zach Ertz at Tight End. Metcalf won't be able to return this year due to a season-ending neck injury he suffered, but has announced he is entering the 2019 Draft.
Arkansas State Practice – September 4th
This early in the season no one from Arkansas State has really stood out as someone who could be drafted this year. The team could have sent the scout to see if there might be anyone worth keeping a note on for later. They could also be looking for possible prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Penn State vs. Pittsburgh – September 7th
Penn State: Amani Oruwariye | CB | 6’1, 203 lbs| Sr.
At 6'1, Oruwariye has the ability to go up against the likes of Mike Evans or A.J. Green and not be overmatched by their size. Ronald Darby is in a contract year, and Jalen Mills has been unimpressive to start the year. If the Eagles decide to move on from one of them, they could go with Sidney Jones and Oruwariye on the outside, with Avonte Maddox slipping into the Slot Corner position.
Penn State: Connor McGovern | C/G | 6’5, 323 lbs| Jr.
McGovern is currently regarded as one of the best inside Offensive Linemen in the country. So far this season the Eagles Offensive Line has been a disappointment, letting Carson Wentz be hit often in his first two games back from his ACL injury. If the front office feels the Offensive Line isn't doing a good enough job protecting their franchise QB, they could decide to go with an Lineman like McGovern to take over Stefen Wisniewski or Jason Kelce's spot.
Penn State: Shareef Miller | EDGE | 6’5, 260 lbs| Sr.
Miller has a lot of speed and can get to the QB quick if he makes his man miss, but has trouble with overpowering an Offensive Lineman to bring more pressure to a QB. The Eagles will likely be in the market for a Defensive End next season for a few different reasons: Chris Long will likely be retiring, Brandon Graham is a free agent, and Michael Bennett's contract situation makes him a likely candidate to be cut.
Pittsburgh: Dewayne Hendrix | EDGE | 6’4, 265 lbs| Sr.
Hendrix doesn't have a lot of tape in his name. He barely played at Tennessee, sat a year when he transferred to Pittsburgh, and then has dealt with injuries. He has an idea size for a Defensive Lineman in the NFL, and the Eagles will likely be drafting at least one Defensive Lineman in this year's Draft. The team could definitely be keeping a close eye on Hendrix.
Michigan vs. Western Michigan - September 8th
Michigan: Rashan Gary | DL | 6’5, 283 lbs| Jr.
Gary will likely be off the board very early in this year's Draft, so unless the Eagles have a meltdown this season, they probably won't be close to saying his name at the podium. But if the Eagles are able to get him, they likely won't need Tim Jernigan, and could release him due to his contract no longer being guaranteed due to his offseason injury.
Michigan: Chase Winovich | DL | 6’3, 255 lbs| Jr.
Winovinch is an early-round talent, and could give the Eagles another young player to add to their Defensive Line core. Derek Barnett is the only Defensive Lineman on the team currently that is under 26 years old.
Michigan: Lavert Hill | CB | 5'11, 181 lbs| Jr.
Pretty much the only downside to Hill is his size. He is a physical Cornerback that can go toe-to-toe with a team's outside Wide Receiver. The Eagles will likely only pick a Cornerback if they end up letting Ronald Darby walk in free agency after the season.
Michigan: Khaleke Hudson | LB/S | 6'0, 220 lbs| Jr.
Hudson gives off a Jabrill Peppers/Tyrann Mathieu/Malcolm Jenkins vibe. He is a versatile player who can be moved up in the box or play back as a Safety. He is also a great special teamer as well. The Eagles could definitely be in the market for someone with his versatility.
Michigan: Devin Bush | LB | 5'11, 233 lbs| Jr.
Another star Linebacker on Michigan's squad. Nigel Bradham will be 30 years old next season, and Jordan Hicks will need a new contract at the end of this season. If he doesn't prove he can stay healthy, the Eagles could let Hicks walk and draft a Linebacker early.
Michigan: Tyree Kinnel | DB | 5'11, 215 lbs| Sr.
Kinnel has prototypical size for a Safety, and the Eagles will be in the market for one with Corey Graham retiring after this season and Chris Maragos becoming a free agent.
Michigan: Karan Higdon | RB | 5'10, 202 lbs| Sr.
Hidden seems to be a jack of all trades, but doesn't have an elite trait to him. Darren Sproles will be retiring at the end of the season, and with his so-called heir to his throne Donnell Pumphrey not working out, the Eagles will be in the market for a Runningback.
Arizona State Practice – September 11th
N'Keal Harry | WR | 6’4, 213 lbs| Jr.
Harry is one of the best Wide Receiver prospects that will be available to draft. he has a trademarked "Philly toughness" to him, and is an excellent blocker downfield. He doesn't get separation, but his size makes him an excellent red zone threat.
Syracuse vs. Florida State – September 15th
Florida State: Brian Burns | DE | 6’5, 235 lbs| Jr.
Burns is a quick rusher who has first-round potential. If the Eagles go into next season minus Brandon Graham, Michael Bennett and Chris Long, Burns could be on their radar.
Florida State: Demarcus Christmas | DL | 6’4, 305 lbs| Sr.
With Timmy Jernigan's status for this season (and the future) up in the air, the team might be looking to draft a Defensive Tackle they can put next to Fletcher Cox. Haloti Ngata will most likely be gone after this season too, so the Eagles could find themselves desperate for Defensive Tackle help.
Florida State: Levonta Taylor | DB | 5'10, 181 lbs| Jr.
Taylor is garnering top-10 pick hype, so it isn't likely the Eagles would end up with a chance to draft him. But if the team does falter this season and wants a change to their Defensive Back core, Taylor would be a great new addition.
Florida State: Jacques Patrick | RB | 6’3, 234 lbs| Sr.
Patrick is a bruiser Runningback, and judging by him size would be an excellent goal-line Runningback. If the Eagles decide to let Jay Ajayi walk this offseason, they could decide to go with Corey Clement as their starting Runningback, with Patrick coming in for goal-line situations.
Missouri vs. Georgia – September 22nd
Georgia: DeAndre Baker | CB | 5'11, 185 lbs| Sr.
Currently projected as a 1st-2nd round pick, Baker would only be chosen by the Eagles if they decide to move on from Ronald Darby and/or Jalen Mills after the season. Baker would step right in and contribute as a shut-down Cornerback. He is an extremely physical corner, and would also help bolster an already amazing run defense the Eagles have going for them, as he is able to read run plays very well.
Georgia: Terry Godwin | WR | 5'11, 185 lbs| Sr.
A small speedster that would probably work best in the slot, but can play on the outside too. The Eagles desperately need a Wide Receiver to play outside along with Alshon Jeffery. The team needs a player who can take the top off the defense which would allow players like Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz to reap the benefits.
Georgia: J.R. Reed | S | 6'1, 194 lbs| Jr.
Currently projected to be a late round draft pick if he declares, Reed could be someone the team brings in for Safety help when possibly looking for a successor for Malcolm Jenkins or Rodney McLeod.
Georgia: Tyler Clark | DL | 6'4, 300 lbs| Jr.
Clark might not enter this year's draft, but he has great size for a Defensive Lineman, and plays like a traditional Defensive Tackle. The Eagles will need to start adding some depth there in the near future.
Georgia: Riley Ridley | WR | 6'2, 200 lbs| Jr.
Ridley is eligible for one more season, but could elect to enter the NFL Draft early. If he waits he is seen as an early-round draft pick in 2020, but if he enters this year he could be someone the Eagles could draft in the middle rounds.
Missouri: Emanuel Hall | WR | 6'3, 195 lbs| Sr.
He will be an early-round draft pick int he 2019 NFL Draft. If the Eagles decide to move on from Mike Wallace after this season, the team will most likely need one more Wide Receiver to help Carson Wentz.
Missouri: Terry Beckner Jr. | DL | 6'4, 295 lbs| Sr.
He can wreak havoc, but has already suffered two torn ACLs. Picking him would be a huge risk, but with a potential very high reward if he is able to stay health and take advantage of being one-on-one with an Offensive Lineman while Fletcher Cox is double teamed.
Missouri: Walter Palmore | DL | 6'4, 320 lbs| Sr.
Perfect size for a Defensive Tackle, and with the Eagles likely to have Fletcher Cox and Destiny Vaeao back next year (Tim Jernigan is a mystery), the Eagles will need to draft a player would can be plugged in next to Cox.
Miami vs. North Carolina – September 27th
Miami: Joe Jackson | DL | 6’5, 265 lbs| Jr.
Jackson lives in the backfield, sacking the Quarterback and also tackling Runningbacks for losses. He has basically secured himself being taken within the first two days of the draft, and has a decent shot of being a first round pick.
Miami: Michael Jackson | DB | 6’1, 205 lbs| Sr.
He isn't the King of Pop, but he could be considered by few to be the King of ACC Defensive Backs. He could help bolster an Eagles secondary who has really struggled to start the 2018 season.
Miami: Jaquan Johnson | DB | 5’11, 195 lbs| Sr.
In 2017, Johnson was the player who spent the most time wearing Miami's infamous Turnover Chain. He creates turnovers by himself and could be a welcomed addition for an Eagles team desperate for Safety depth in the coming seasons.
Miami: Shaquille Quarterman | OLB | 6’1, 235 lbs| Jr.
Quarterman is a good run defender, but has a lot to work on in passing coverage. His weakness matches the current weakness of the Eagles defense, so it doesn't seem likely that the team invested much time in him, but still has time to develop and strengthen his weakness.
Missouri S&T Practice – September 28th
This early in the season no one from Missouri S&T has really stood out as someone who could be drafted this year. The team could have sent the scout to see if there might be anyone worth keeping a note on for later. They could also be looking for possible prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina – September 29th
Kentucky: Josh Allen | LB | 6’5, 260 lbs| Sr.
Allen has almost secured himself a spot in the first round. If the Eagles walk away from Jordan Hicks this offseason, Allen could be someone the team brings in to become their new starting Linebacker.
Kentucky: Benny Snell Jr. | RB | 5'11, 223 lbs| Jr.
Snell Jr. has helped Kentucky become a force to be reckoned with. He is a powerful runner with good awareness and instincts. The Eagles could have two openings at the Runningback position heading into next season, and the team could want to use a pick for a Runningback to complement Corey Clement.
Kentucky: Derrick Baity | CB | 6'3, 188 lbs| Sr.
Baity has exceptional size for a Cornerback, which could come in handy if the Eagles want to bring in a Cornerback who can defend taller Wide Receivers. He will likely be available in the middle rounds of this year's draft.
Kentucky: Jordan Jones | LB | 6'2, 218 lbs| Sr.
Jones is a tackling machine, and could be a viable option to draft with the team's future at the Linebacker position not currently known.
South Carolina: Deebo Samuel | WR | 6’0, 210 lbs| Sr.
Samuel has early-round potential, but is coming back this season after suffering a leg injury that ended his season early last year. He has speed on the outside that can open up the field for not only him, but for every other receiver on the field.
South Carolina: Bryan Edwards | WR | 6’3, 230 lbs| Jr.
He has made himself into a solid outside receiver that doesn't let a lot of balls get away from him. He could end up staying another year to improve his draft stock even more.
