Looking Back at a Big Draft Weekend

 

After starting the draft by adding 4 potential pro bowlers to their roster (Jordan Davis, A.J. Brown, Cam Jurgens and Nakobe Dean) in days 1 and 2 during the first 3 rounds, the Eagles entered day 3 with dramatically reduced draft ammunition.  They had given up a 3^rd round pick, a 4^th round pick and two 5^th round picks as additional draft capital to supplement picks 15 and 18 to acquire Davis and Brown.  While this appears to have been a good use of resources, it certainly wasn’t “cheap” either, so left only a 5^th and a 7^th round pick for the drafts final 4 rounds.  The Eagles manipulated this pair of picks into a pair of 6^th rounders and made the following 2 selections:

Kyron Johnson is a player apparently taken to back up Hassan Reddick at the SAM to be a special teams ace.  With significant special teams success last season alone for Kansas (per Howie Roseman, “He was a captain and had 17 special teams tackles”), Johnson appears to  have the ability to fulfill that ST role.  Like Reddick (6’1” 240), he’d be an undersized (6’3” 236), speedy (sub 4.5 forty time) edge rusher / SAM, but also like Reddick (per Eagle Director of Player Personnel Andy Weidl) “Players come in all shapes and sizes, and he’s one of those natural leverage rushers that can get off the ball and win.  You see a guy that gets off the ball. You see a guy that can rush, win three ways. The energy he plays with was outstanding.”  Johnson displayed these qualities at the senior bowl, where he acquitted himself well against quality offensive line opponents Trevor Penning (picked in the middle of the 1^st round by New Orleans) and Abraham Lucas (Chosen early in the third round by Seattle).  The Eagles sent picks 188 (6^th round) and 237 (seventh round) to move up to 181 to grab Johnson (6^th round). 

Grant Calcattera is a Tight End who would have been selected higher in the draft, but had suffered multiple concussions with Oklahoma, so sat out all of 2020 before returning to College football last year with SMU.  The final Eagles draft pick, like Johnson he was selected in Round 6 (#198).  Per Our Lads Guide, Calcaterra:

“Is a savvy pass catcher with plus movement skills off the line.  He gets into his route fast… and gets out of his break naturally quick, (and) is the kind of short to intermediate threat that can be a weapon on 3^rd downs… Can stick as a 3^rd Tight End for use on passing downs… Knows how to get open… Shows a nice feel for underneath coverage (and) gets away from man coverage and will take advantage up the seam… QB friendly with nice hands).” He has a small frame (for a Tight End at 6’4” 241) though so won’t play in-line (for blocking) as much, although “will keep his feet moving as a blocker with proper positioning and control.” 

Calcattera can help the Eagle roster at Tight End behind Dallas Goedert if he can stay healthy. 

 

Since GM Howie Roseman made the decision to spend 6 of his 10 picks to accommodate his first 2 selections on Day 1, he promised “he’d make it up to” director of Player Personnel Andy Weidl.  When I heard this, I assumed we’d see day 2 trades moving down, turning the 51^st and 83^rd picks into more quantity but lower quality.  This, however, did not happen (which I think went well given their two quality day 2 selections).  Instead, Roseman gave his personnel team significant top-line budget dollars to sign relatively expensive rookie free agents in a “COVID class” that itself was bigger and richer in depth and quality than typical Rookie Free Agent groups.  The Eagles did a good job by adding some interesting possibilities AFTER the day 3 selections as Rookie Free Agents:

 

Per CBS Sports Chris Trapasso, ranked by talent/situation, the Eagles got the 1st & 9th ranked RFA’s:

• Running Back Kennedy Brooks: the 9^th best CBS ranked Rookie Free agent in the pool, “Brooks is a damn good, natural runner. He's not fast, he's not a freaky athlete. He (just) runs with stellar vision and rarely, if ever, goes down on first contact.  He averaged nearly four yards AFTER contact in 2021 and forced 60 missed tackles. And Brooks was that type of runner in 2020 and 2019 at Oklahoma (also). He cruised to three-consecutive seasons averaging 7.0 yards per carry in his 472-carry career.”  The Eagles are betting a patient, competent running back like Brooks can follow the blocking of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL to become, as his college pedigree displayed, a part of a highly successful running back by committee.
• Cornerback Mario Goodrich (6’ 176, 4.52 forty) was ranked #1: “The lightest-footed outside cornerback in this draft class (although he) still (unexpectedly) went undrafted... Suddenness and elite change-of-direction ability are central to quality play at the position. Having that box checked… Goodrich … and his lightning-quick feet have a real shot to stick with the Eagles.”  Goodrich was guaranteed $217,000 from the Eagles.   The Eagles may eventually add a veteran corner alongside Darius Slay in 2022 via trade, or perhaps a late cap casualty from another team.  Until then, Goodrich was 1 of 2 or 3 Rookie Free agents added to their collection of now a half dozen or so very young, specifically profiled players that either fits their requirements for cornerback in Jonathan Gannon’s zone scheme, or can be a possible move to safety.  Either way, he’ll be a contributor on ST.   

 

Per 33^rd Team web site, the Eagles ALSO signed 3 of their top 15 available RFA (# 2, #9 and #15)…

• At #15, Noah Elliss is a 6’4” Defensive Tackle from Idaho who (per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com) is an “Imposing space-eater with flashes of physical dominance against a level of competition that hasn't fully tested him. Elliss was a heralded prospect out of high school and began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to Idaho, where his dad (former Detroit Lion Luther Elliss) coached him up on the defensive line. He has the physical tools and power to make a living as a two-gapping, odd-front nose guard but will need to improve his technique and footwork to become a true tree stump in the middle against the run. Ellis had Day 3 potential with starting upside, but weight management will be very important for him.”  Per 33^rd team, Ellis went undrafted based on “Low competition level and a weak athletic profile,” but per their ranking has clear upside as a player that should have been drafted.  If he proves himself after coaching from his dad in college, Elliss can prepare on the Eagles practice squad 1 year till the contracts of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave expire.  If one or both move on, Ellis will be an interesting option for the Eagles on the depth chart behind Jordan Davis.   
• At #9, Josh Jobe, had a solid 4^th round projection that some projected up to day 2, a cornerback who both NFL.com’s Zierlein and OurLads guide projected to safety as well. Per Draft Kings, the Alabama graduate who played opposite premium corner Patrick Surtain in 2020 “is rather well-known from a major program who was being projected as a possible Day 2 pick after a strong junior season in 2020 but “a down season in 2021, partly due to injuries, hurt his draft stock. Jobe looks the part as a well-built, long-armed perimeter cornerback, but (that) disappointing senior season ended up leaving scouts with more questions than answers… He had a very productive college career, as he has been a significant contributor on the Crimson Tide defense for the last four seasons. Jobe can come in right away and add depth and play on all of the special teams for the Eagles.”
• At #2 (#1 per NFL.com and many others), QB Carson Strong, per Zierlein, is a “pocket passer with rare blend of power and finesse to turn low percentage throws into completions. His surgically repaired right knee might hinder the sturdiness of his throwing base, but Strong still throws with velocity, accuracy and touch either on or off-platform. He has the talent to attack any coverage and all areas of the field… Scouts rave about his leadership and ‘killer instinct.’ He clearly has first-round talent, but long-term durability concerns surrounding his knee could force teams to take a more cautious approach with his projection and draft slotting.”  Clearly, injury concerns were the only thing that kept Strong out of the pool of drafted players (In fact, he otherwise has first round talent).  The Eagles have guaranteed Strong $320,000 and will allow him to compete behind 2^nd string QB Gardner Minshew as the Birds developmental QB.

 

Per Chad Reuter (NFL.com), the following Eagles were also highly ranked amongst available RFA’s:

• William Dunkle ranked as the #2 RFA Interior lineman with a 5^th Round Grade.  Dunkle (6’4” 328) played Guard at SD State, and per OurLads Guide Dunkle “is best regarded in the running game where he is a true difference maker.  His overwhelming size from the waist up swallows up defenders and he plays with a finishers mentality… This is a developmental interior blocker who has correctible issues attached to a rare level of natural power and pop.  (He has) Mammoth Size, an enormous upper body that carries more than its proportion of his weight.  Thin lower half that promotes solid straight line speed and burst.  An absolute shield against the bull rush.  Rarely loses ground when engaged with a defender.  Plays with a mauler’s mentality…  Defenders often end up on the ground when he lines them up.”  Despite his NFL.com grade, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein explained Dunkle is an “Aggressive guard with a broad, powerful frame but limited upside… Pass protection might be a bigger concern due to imbalance when asked to mirror counters and control the air space from gap to gap. Athletic opponents will cause him to struggle, but his size, strength and toughness give him a shot to find future starting reps even though his grade and tape is more in line with a backup role.”  The Eagles will rely on O-Line coach Jeff Stoutland, one of the best in the business, to confirm their selection of Dunkle as a viable developmental candidate. 
• Josh Sills is a 6’6” 322 pound Guard from Oklahoma State, dropping down one spot from Dunkle’s to #3 at interior offensive line. Per Dane Grugler at The Athletic, “Sills is one of the few players in this draft class with college starting experience at all five offensive line spots, but he must play with better control to counterbalance his aggression.  Thought of as a “physical, body-moving run blocker who needs work in pass pro,” Sills brings the versatility on the O-Line the Eagles love.  Sills had a 6^th round draft projection per NFL.com.
• Josh Blackwell (5’ 11” 183, forty of 4.34) from Duke was NFL.com’s 15^th ranked cornerback not selected in the draft.  Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Blackwell is a “Press-man cornerback with excellent speed and short-area quickness, but a lack of desired ball skills and instincts. At this point, Blackwell is a better athlete than cover corner and he lacks desired size for the perimeter. He will need to level up the technique and get tougher against the run before he is ready to play slot corner in the NFL. Speed and explosiveness will be intriguing, but his tape just isn't there yet.”  Sills would have a long-term projection on the Eagles practice squad to eventually provide legitimate roster depth as a slot corner.
• Reed Blankenship (6’1” 200, forty of ) was the 8^th ranked RFA Safety.  Per NFL.com analyst Zierlein, he is a “Versatile safety with adequate size and good athleticism, a team leader (3-year captain) who is aggressive and heavily experienced in a defense that required his versatility. He's ready and willing in run support but has a problem with tackle angles that causes too many misses from a variety of locations around the field. He's athletic and his route recognition is good when he's playing from up top; however, he lacks top-end speed to stay with downfield assignments. He will need to shine on special teams to improve his chances of making it in the league.  Per Jimmy Kempski at the Voice, “Blankenship felt to me like a late-round type of player who can contribute immediately on special teams and grow into a role in the regular defense. And yet, he's probably the lowest rated player among the Eagles' undrafted free agent class. Sleeper.”
• Britain Covey (5’8” 169, forty of 4.50) was the 8^th ranked WR/Returner, is the grandson of author Stephen Covey, who wrote "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People".   Per Lance Zierlein, “His size and age will work against him, but he plays bigger than he measures. He's a talented punt returner who can make plays as a receiver after the catch, as well. He's a choppy route-runner and fails to generate above-average separation but he was more consistent and productive as the 2021 season wore on. His scrappiness and talent as a return man could give him an outside shot to compete for a roster spot.”  Per Sports Illustrated, “Covey has elite speed, outstanding cutting ability and does a great job catching the ball in traffic. Although Covey is undersized, he is tough and uses his quickness to get off the line of scrimmage. In addition, the receiver is outstanding in the return game... Covey's quickness and cutting ability make him dangerous” He had 3 punt/kick return TD’s in 2021.  Another ST candidate. 

Finally, the most recent addition to the Eagle RFA class (at the time of this writing) was RT Jarrid Williams.  Williams was the top-rated Miami Hurricane football player in 2021.  He has excellent size at 6’6” 322 pounds, and received very good PFF ratings of 81.1 as a pass blocker and 83 as a run blocker.  Per Iggles Blitz author Tommy Lawlor, “Williams is an agile, athletic blocker. He ran 5.16 in the 40 and had a vertical of 31 inches. That shows up on tape, not just workouts… Could be a good developmental prospect, spending 2022 on the practice squad and then competing for a spot in 2023. Williams must learn to use his hands more consistently. His pad level can also be an issue at times. He has good tools to work with, but definitely needs work.”

 

Eagles Lesson: The Eagles have a history of success with Rookie Free Agents not only making their roster, but becoming key contributors, with Jack Stoll, TJ Edwards and Nate Herbig as shining examples.  This graphic from the 33^rd team shows NFL roster composition last year… UDFA’s (Undrafted Free Agents) represent more than double any other draft position!