Some Names to Watch for Eagles Defense as NFL Combine Begins this Week
The defense will go first at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Defensive linemen will be first up on Thursday followed by cornerbacks on Friday.
Those two position groups figure to be of premium interest to Eagles GM Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni, both of whom, by the way, will speak to reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
As of Sunday, the Eagles will go to Indianapolis without a defensive or offensive coordinator in place, so any evaluations will be made without the benefit of either coach’s input.
It’s likely, however, that QB coach Brian Johnson has already been tabbed to be the OC and the team is waiting until it hires a DC to announce both coaches at the same time.
There are 319 college players expected to be at this year’s Combine. Alabama has the most with 13 invited; national champion Georgia has 12.
Last year, the Eagles prioritized defense on the first two days of the draft and two of their three picks came from Georgia in DT Jordan Davis and LB Nakobe Dean. Nebraska center Cam Jurgens was sandwiched between the two Bulldogs defenders.
It would not surprise if Roseman once again goes defense early in this year’s draft, especially given the number of players expected to hit free agency on that side of the ball.
Roseman had to love what he saw from his defense last season, with the defensive line and secondary working in unison to help produce 70 sacks and help get the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII.
Even though Jonathan Gannon’s philosophy of, “cover-rush, rush-and-cover” has been relocated to Arizona, expect the Eagles to try to replicate it.
“I think it's a really good corner group,” said NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah last week. “I think it's a good edge rusher group. I think the tight-end group is the best I've seen in the last ten years. It's outstanding.”
Here are some defensive linemen and cornerbacks to pay attention to this week, keeping in mind that these aren’t players that necessarily have to be taken in the first round, where the Eagles own picks Nos. 10 and 30.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (other than Jalen Carter)
Calijah Kancey, Pitt. He’s undersized at 6-0, 280, but his athleticism and quickness could have him in some first-round conversation. He also went to the same school as Aaron Donald, who was also considered undersized when he entered the league.
Keeanu Bennett, Wisconsin. Good size at 6-4, 315, and remember the last time the Eagles took a DT from Wisconsin? That was Beau Allen in the seventh back in 2014. Bennett will go much higher.
Bryan Bresee, Clemson. Many felt he should’ve returned to school to improve his draft status. As it is now, he could go anywhere from the first round to the third.
EDGE RUSHERS (other than Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson)
Lukas Van Ness, Iowa. The 6-5, 265-pound, two-year starter had 19 sacks in 26 career games.
Keion White, Georgia Tech. Began his career at Old Dominion, and finally, put it all together last year with 7.5 sacks.
Nolan Smith, Georgia. His hype hasn’t lived up to his production, but, hey, he’s a Georgia player.
Myles Murphy, Clemson. At 6-5, and 275, he is considered a freak athlete with a good mix of speed, athleticism, and strength.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State. Good production the past two years with 24.5 sacks.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (other than Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, and Joey Porter)
Brian Branch, Alabama. Has the potential to be a hybrid safety/CB and can fill up a stat sheet.
Julius Brents, Kansas State. Like Branch, he also has position flexibility from safety to CB. He’s a little on the older side, turning 24 next January, but has plenty of experience, playing in 46 games at K-State with four interceptions last year.
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State. Talk about production, he had 14 career picks in 35 games, including six last year.
Kelee Ringo, Georgia. Another Bulldog. He has produced four picks in 29 career games.
Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Fan Nation Eagles Today and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglestoday.com and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
