Each workforce has completely different wants throughout NFL Draft weekend and, as you might have surmised from being a soccer fan for longer than 30 seconds, it informs every workforce’s board. The Philadelphia Eagles are not any completely different and I’ve taken the freedom of choosing 5 place teams that might use some reinforcements from the faculty ranks heading into the 2024 season.
The final group up is: inside offensive line.
“The Eagles might go quite a lot of alternative ways right here…relying on what future Corridor of Fame middle Jason Kelce decides on taking part in yet one more season or not,” is how this publish began earlier than Monday. Now that Kelce has formally introduced his retirement it makes this place a much bigger want within the offseason.
Presumably Cam Jurgens, who excelled at middle for Nebraska in school, would slide into that position for the Eagles and Landon Dickerson would occupy one of many guard slots. Tyler Steen, a 2023 third spherical select of Alabama, performed largely deal with in school however was moved to protect within the execs and even began one sport at RG for the Eagles final season. Arizona Cardinals 2022 sixth spherical choose Lecitus Smith was signed to the Philadelphia observe squad in November final 12 months and signed a reserve/future contract in January. He was an All-ACC guard at Virginia Tech and will work his approach onto the ultimate roster.
Even when Kelce had run it again for yet one more crack at a Tremendous Bowl, the Eagles would’ve been clever to usher in somebody to bolster their depth at G/C for the longer term. With Kelce off to retirement, listed here are a trio of IOL choices (not simply early rounds) that the Eagles ought to take into account when they’re finally on the clock. (All measurements are from participant’s school bio or NFL Mix if relevant)
Cooper Beebe (guard), fifth 12 months Senior, Kansas State
Measurements: 6-foot-3 and 322 kilos (NFL Mix)Profession stats: 51 video games (48 begins); allowed 5 sacks in 1,488 move blocking snaps per PFF
Bio: A local of Kansas Metropolis, however on the Kansas aspect, Beebe was ranked as a 3-star defensive lineman for many of his highschool profession, however he excelled on each side of the ball. He comes from a household of athletes as his dad (Pittsburg State), older brother (tight finish at Minnesota), and youthful brother (o-lineman at Ok-State) have all performed/are nonetheless taking part in school soccer. Beebe redshirt freshman season in 2020 noticed him begin eight video games (seven at RT and one at LG) and permitting 4 sacks. When you learn his stats above and are good at math, you might have found out that Beebe solely allowed one sack in his closing three years of faculty (40 begins). In 2021 he was honorable point out Huge 12 Offensive Lineman of the 12 months and he was First Group Educational All-Huge 12 yearly between 2020 and 2023.
His closing three seasons have been chock filled with accolades that I gained’t bore you with all of them right here. Simply know that he was All-Huge 12 First Group (2021, 2022, 2023), Huge 12 Offensive Lineman of the 12 months (2022, 2023), 2022 Second Group All-American (AP, CBS, PFF, USA In the present day), 2022 First Group All-American (Athletic, ESPN, FOX, Sporting Information), and a 2023 Consensus First Group All-American. He was an Outland Trophy finalist and a Campbell Trophy (aka Educational Heisman) finalist in 2023 and he was a Lombardi Award semifinalist as a fifth 12 months senior too. He was additionally a two-time workforce captain. Per NFL.com, he had the very best Subsequent Gen Stats Whole Rating of any guard on the Mix this 12 months.
Scouting report: Beebe is a flexible offensive lineman. Final season he performed 20 snaps at left deal with, 106 snaps at proper deal with, and 832 at left guard, however he began 13 video games at left deal with in 2021 and even crammed in at proper guard too. Principally, when you’re drafting Beebe you should use him anyplace however middle, however I’d wager most groups have him as a guard on their boards. He’s constructed like a keg of beer and, sadly, has about the identical attain, however the negatives to his sport just about finish there. He’s stout in move safety and a steamroller within the run sport. Beebe sees the sport at a sophisticated stage and is extraordinarily good about passing off rushers and likewise attending to the second stage to filter out linebackers on operating performs. He will not be essentially the most thrilling prospect as he’s extra of a “high-floor/low-ceiling” participant, nevertheless it’s necessary to notice that his ground is already “rotational NFL participant.”
He’s in all probability a mid-second spherical to early-third spherical man, however appears to be on the rise.
Highlights:
Zak Zinter (guard), Senior, Michigan
Measurements: 6-foot-6 and 322 poundsCareer stats: 45 video games (42 begins, all at RG besides one)
Bio: Born and raised in Florida, he moved to Massachusetts earlier than highschool and was a 247Sports Composite 4-star offensive lineman popping out of Buckingham Browne and Nichols College. He was a four-time letterwinner at Michigan and was named Honorable Point out All-Huge Ten in 2021 after which consensus First Group All-Huge Ten in 2022 and 2023. He was voted a workforce captain as a senior and likewise earned unanimous First Group All-American honors. Zinter was an integral a part of a dominant Michigan offensive line which gained the Joe Moore Award (greatest offensive line unit within the nation) in 2021 and 2022, the primary back-to-back winners in award historical past.
Scouting report: The very first thing to debate with Zinter is his damage, which prompted him to overlook Michigan’s playoff run to the nationwide title. Zinter broke his tibia and fibula within the third quarter The Recreation towards OSU and didn’t take part in any on-field work throughout the NFL Mix. Zinter mentioned that he’ll “be able to roll in a month” however clearly each workforce will wish to do their due diligence on him.
Photograph by G Fiume/Getty Photographs
While you consider a stereotypical Huge Ten Offensive Lineman, Zinter might be who you might be picturing. He’s large, sturdy, imply, and desires nothing greater than to go away tire tracks in your jersey as his workforce runs down your throat. He’s an excellent move protector, however NFL-level athletes will give him points firstly of his profession. Like Beebe, Zinter is a cerebral participant and may be capable to contribute to an NFL offensive line rotation as a rookie.
Resulting from damage considerations, Zinter might be now a third-fourth spherical choose, however there’s plenty of potential worth available if the medical workers for Philly clears him.
Highlights:
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (middle), Redshirt Junior, Georgia
Measurements: 6-foot-4 and 298 kilos (NFL Mix)Profession stats: 48 video games (44 begins)
Bio: The highest middle prospect within the class of 2020, Van Pran-Granger was a Composite 4-star prospect out of New Orleans’ Warren Easton Excessive College. Throughout his first season on campus Van Pran-Granger appeared in 4 video games (to protect his redshirt) after which began 44 straight video games over his closing three seasons with the Bulldogs. He was Second Group All-SEC in 2022 after which unanimous First Group All-SEC final 12 months. In 2023 he additionally earned: First Group All-American (ESPN, SI), Second Group All-American (AFCA, AP, CBS, FOX Sports activities, FWAA, The Sporting Information, The Athletic, Walter Camp), gained the SEC Jacobs Blocking (greatest blocker within the convention) Trophy, and was a finalist for the Rimington (greatest middle in nation) Trophy.
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Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
Scouting report: Van Pran-Granger is, in my humble opinion, a super undertaking for the Eagles and Jeff Stoutland to spend money on. He’s robust, imply, and performed effectively in a convention filled with freak defensive linemen. He has a body that may add just a little extra weight to it with out sacrificing any mobility, however he wasn’t the quickest in school the place he was listed 30+ kilos heavier so there’s positively a fantastic line to stroll there. Van Pran-Granger is a potent run blocker and is ready to rise up to the second stage and remove linebackers on runs between the tackles. He doesn’t have the Kelce-like capability to drag and prepared the ground on outdoors operating performs however, to be truthful, few do, particularly as a rookie. The Birds have had plenty of latest success with drafting gamers from Georgia in order that they’ll have already got an excellent relationship with the Bulldogs workers to get any inside data they want earlier than choosing him. I’d guess he’s a 3rd or fourth spherical choose proper now.
Highlights:
