One among my favourite post-NFL Draft actions includes what precise scouts consider the gamers that the Philadelphia Eagles chosen … via the lens of what was mentioned about them earlier than the picks had been made.
This text options pre-draft quotes from actual soccer executives by means of Bob McGinn’s annual draft collection (through Tyler Dunne’s nice Go Lengthy substack), The Athletic’s Draft Confidential (through Bruce Feldman), NFL.com’s draft profiles (written by Lance Zierlein), and Tony Pauline scouting studies.
Let’s check out what insiders needed to say concerning the Eagles’ choices within the 2024 NFL Draft.
QUINYON MITCHELL
Mitchell was the second cornerback in McGinn’s rankings, solely behind Terrion Arnold.
QUINYON MITCHELL, Toledo (6-0, 198, 4.30, 1): Didn’t play at Toledo in 2019 due to lecturers earlier than beginning 40 of 46 video games for the Rockets from 2020-’23. “He’s obtained velocity,” one scout mentioned. “Oakland Raider type of nook. He’s what he’s.” On Oct, 8, 2022, he intercepted 4 passes at Northern Illinois, returning two for touchdowns. “It was a Deion Sanders-type efficiency,” a second scout mentioned. “I didn’t wish to be that top on the man due to the folks he was enjoying in opposition to however he is perhaps the most effective. If he performed at Alabama I’d in all probability give him a top-10 decide.” Made a powerful observe exhibiting on the Senior Bowl. “Once you return to (2022) and watch him play in opposition to Ohio State (a 77-21 loss) he seems to be far more abnormal than when he was enjoying Senior Bowl receivers and at Toledo this previous 12 months,” mentioned a 3rd scout. “He wasn’t enjoying in opposition to NFL guys. Even on the Senior Bowl there have been solely a pair that had been fairly good. You’re occurring traits. He has excellent motion for his measurement. He examined extraordinarily effectively. If somebody has an excellent nickel and is taking an outdoor nook, I can simply see this man going earlier than Arnold.” His 20 reps on the bench press led the place. “I used to be actually impressed with him,” mentioned a fourth scout. “Then on the mix it seemed like he had by no means caught a ball in his life. He seemed very awkward in his method to catching the ball.” Completed with 122 tackles (6 ½ for loss), six picks and 52 passes defensed. “He’s obtained measurement, velocity, quickness, power,” mentioned a fifth scout. “Solely factor that worries you is simply the extent of fellows he was going in opposition to constantly. As soon as he will get used to coping with different (NFL) guys he’ll have the ability to do it … He’s prepared (to sort out). I don’t know if he was saving himself in sure conditions or it was that ‘I’m on the point of go professional’ deal. Some video games you would see him actually promoting out and different video games you would type of see him going, ‘Perhaps subsequent week.’” From Williston, Fla.
No shock to see a concentrate on the extent of Mitchell’s competitors. I watched his targets from the referenced Ohio State recreation and he did get beat just a few instances however I assumed he largely acquitted himself effectively. Mitchell allowed a landing to Marvin Harrison Jr., who’s clearly an superior participant, the place it will’ve been powerful for him to defend it significantly better.
This isn’t the primary time I’m seeing somebody elevate considerations about Mitchell’s fingers. I heard Brian Baldinger say he must get on the JUGS machine to transform some extra of those PBUs into interceptions.
Extra on Mitchell from The Athletic:
“Love that child,” mentioned DB Coach 1. “Like a extra bodily mature Sauce Gardner. He’s a contact much less fluid popping out. I believe they’re comparable of their play fashion. He’s essentially the most full nook. However there isn’t a variety of press tape there.”
“I believe Quinyon has the most effective traits of any nook on this class however he’s nonetheless fairly uncooked,” mentioned DB Coach 2.
A Sauce comparability is fairly thrilling, although he’s two inches taller than Mitchell and has considerably longer arms.
“Uncooked” is an attention-grabbing descriptor for a 23-year-old rookie who performed 43 video games in faculty.
Our final observe comes from Pauline’s scouting report, which is generally optimistic coming from his analysis, however does comprise this observe:
“Has been characterised by scouts as stiff.”
In the event you’re questioning how Mitchell fell to No. 22, it’s clear he wasn’t considered as a slam dunk prospect. However the upside is actually intriguing after he checked a variety of packing containers within the pre-draft course of.
COOPER DEJEAN
To no shock, McGinn famous there’s some distinction of opinion on how scouts view DeJean’s function within the NFL.
You may need observed that two gamers, DeJean of Iowa and Sainristil of Michigan, acquired votes at cornerback and security. DeJean’s level complete of 59 was nearly break up equally between the positions, and total he obtained 9 first-place votes. Sainristil picked up one vote at nook and three at security. Of the ten scouts queried about DeJean, six mentioned security could be his greatest place and 4 mentioned cornerback. He additionally was considered as a nickel and punt returner. “Everyone simply says he’s routinely a security,” an AFC government mentioned. “I believe he’s a nook, a nickel nook and a security. He can play wherever you want him to play. Performed a ton of sports activities in highschool. He’s only a baller.”
Utlimately, DeJean completed two spots behind Mitchell because the fourth-ranked cornerback.
COOPER DeJEAN, Iowa (6-0 ½, 202, 4.45, 1): Third-year junior. “He can do a variety of various things,” one scout mentioned. “I like him the place he performed at Iowa (cornerback). He can do this. Nickel could be a great place for him. I believe there can be groups which have him at security. Versatility is considered one of his largest property.” His third season ended with a fractured fibula in November. He labored out and examined April 8 in Iowa Metropolis, combining the 40 with a 38 ½-inch vertical bounce. “That (4.45) was good given what he was coming off of,” a second scout mentioned. “The man can run. He solely educated for every week. He was a dash champion within the state of Iowa in highschool.” Seldom performed in 2021 earlier than beginning two seasons, totally on the left outdoors. “We thought he may do every little thing,” mentioned a 3rd scout. “I don’t fear about that (enjoying in Iowa’s zone system) in any respect. The athlete this man is, you watch him play basketball …. He’s not bloodthirsty however he’s strong as a tackler in house. Performs effectively inside his velocity. He’s a extremely good pure athlete.” Completed with 120 tackles (5 for loss), seven picks and 20 passes defensed. His fingers (9 5/8) had been the most important of the highest 10 corners. “They’ve the most effective defensive coordinator (Phil Parker) in faculty soccer,” mentioned a fourth scout. “All they do is play zone protection. He isn’t going to play outdoors nook. He’s going to play security or nickel, however you’ll be able to’t put him within the security pile (as a result of) he’s by no means performed security. He could also be extra like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who performed all over the place and become a extremely good security and a extremely good nickel although he can’t keep in the identical constructing for a couple of 12 months as a result of he completely received’t shut up.” A fifth scout doubted DeJean had “the hips for nook. He’ll battle in opposition to a few of the actually good route runners.” Added a sixth scout: “You want guys that may play man protection within the NFL and I’m unsure he’s that man. The talent set is there. The belongings you’ve by no means seen fear you. I believe he’ll in all probability be a greater security. The explanation why is you don’t see the burst of a nook and so they performed zone on a regular basis. He was a linebacker in highschool. He’s an enigma in some methods.” From Odebolt, Iowa.
The CJGJ comparability clearly stands out right here (as does the shoehorned shot at him).
It stays to be seen the place the Eagles line DeJean up. He’s considered one of two gamers listed at “DB” on their official roster web page, with the opposite being security Tristin McCollum. The guess right here is that they’ll attempt him at cornerback (be it on the surface or the nickel or each) since he has extra expertise in that capability and it’s the extra precious place.
Extra on DeJean from The Athletic:
Scout 1: “Love him. He’s powerful. He’s athletic. Quiet confidence and he’s good. I don’t suppose it’s greatest to make him an outdoor nook if you happen to run a variety of man. There’s a little bit little bit of stiffness. I don’t know if the transition quickness is elite. I believe it will be greatest if he purchased right into a zone nickel or security. He’s a punt returner and nice particular groups man.”
DB Coach 1: “I believe he’s a security with potential nickel flex. I don’t suppose he’s a nook. I believe that’s what he needs to play however I don’t suppose anybody has him as a nook. He’s a little bit straight-line. I believe his talent set matches up without spending a dime security. The one factor I fear about is if you happen to’re gonna take a security in that slot the place he’s slated to go, you need him to be a monster, a dawg. I don’t see his physicality like that. He tackles and can sort out however is he gonna make a dwelling like that as a high-level security that’s gonna go within the first spherical? That’s my concern … to not say he can’t.”
DB Coach 2: “That is the most effective DB within the class. He has the uncommon potential to be a nickel one 12 months, a security the subsequent and a nook the subsequent. He’ll be an excellent chess piece. He doesn’t have the linear straight line transitions of what you need in a first-round nook. However you see some Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jevon Holland in there. He can play outdoors, within the slot, within the deep a part of the sphere. I believe whoever will get him can be actually proud of him.”
DeJean’s soft-spoken method apparently caught out to a number of evaluators. This comes from an AFC space scout:
“He’s quiet and humble. He was all the time the most effective at his highschool and he has a baked-in confidence that you could’t coach.”
This observe from Pauline to wrap us out:
“DeJean attracts all kinds of opinions within the scouting circle regardless of being everybody’s favourite cornerback on the surface.”
JALYX HUNT
Hunt was eleventh in McGinn’s edge rusher rankings. That traces up with how he was the tenth edge rusher to be drafted.
JALYX HUNT, Houston Christian (6-3 ½, 251, 4.63, 3): A late bloomer, he spent three years within the Ivy League at Cornell enjoying as a backup security. Transferred to Houston Christian (previously Houston Baptist) in 2022 and was moved to outdoors linebacker. Was named defensive participant of the 12 months within the Southland Convention in ’23. “He’s third spherical off of athleticism alone,” one scout mentioned. “He’s obtained a ton of potential. He might find yourself being like DeMarcus Ware. He has no f—kin’ clue however is he gifted.” Ran quick, posted a vertical bounce of 37 ½ and his 10-8 broad bounce tied for the most effective among the many edge rushers. “He’s attention-grabbing,” mentioned one other scout. “He’ll be a man any individual has to discover a house for due to the multiplicity of issues he can do. You’ve obtained to search out one. If he will get typecast within the fallacious factor he may battle a little bit bit. He can do a variety of issues however he isn’t overly instinctive or well-versed in anybody factor.” Completed with 162 tackles (20 ½ for loss) and 13 ½ sacks, 5 compelled fumbles and 6 passes defensed. Arms had been 34 3/8, fingers had been 10. “I don’t understand how excessive he’s gonna go,” a 3rd scout mentioned. “With these guys, folks gamble on the traits on a regular basis. He and Xavier Thomas in all probability have essentially the most uncommon athletic traits at that place on the again finish.” From DeBary, Fla.
“Might find yourself being like DeMarcus Ware”?! It’d be an insanely good final result to get a participant as dominant as the previous Denver Broncos legend. However not a really doubtless one.
There’s sufficient proof to counsel Hunt wasn’t an enormous attain the place the Eagles took him. That being mentioned, I nonetheless suppose it’s a significantly better decide in concept than in actuality.
Extra on Hunt from The Athletic:
DL Coach 1: “He examined as tremendous athletic on the mix, and also you see that on movie. However it’s arduous for somebody to leap too far on the market and say, we’re gonna take a child too excessive that solely had 9 1/2 sacks and got here from Cornell by means of Houston Christian. However you see some toughness on movie, and man, that’s s—-y high quality movie. It was like my mother-in-law shot it from the stands.”
WILL SHIPLEY
McGinn was RB9 in McGinn’s rankings. He was the seventh operating again drafted.
WILL SHIPLEY, Clemson (5-11, 206, 4.45, 4-5): Third-year junior. “He type of grows on you,” one scout mentioned. “He’s going to want route-running refinement. He runs arduous. He’s obtained a little bit expertise. Fourth spherical.” Greatest 12 months was 2022 when he rushed for a career-high 1,182 and caught a career-high 38. “Wonderful runner, prime receiver,” mentioned a second scout. “Bought harm this 12 months. A concussion in opposition to UNC and proper knee in opposition to Kentucky. He alternated with (Phil) Mafah.” Completed with 526 carries for two,748 (5.2) and 31 TDs plus 85 catches. “He’s OK,” a 3rd scout mentioned. “They run the stretch and that’s what he does greatest. He can observe his blocks. Bought a little bit little bit of burst. Extra straight line. Probably not a tricky man. He geese his head so much on contact. Not a strong man. He likes the perimeters. In the event you obtained a crease, he’s obtained a little bit one thing to him. Finesse type of runner. Fingers are fairly good. He’ll go mid-rounds.” From Weddington, N.C.
The strong however unspectacular vibe matches up with my impression and the one which BGN’s Jonny Web page obtained as effectively:
AINIAS SMITH
Small blurb on Smith comes from an AFC regional scout:
“I assumed he began wanting extra like himself later within the season, so I believe you see full-on (Smith) by (the 2024 season) — at the very least bodily.”
Manufacturing-wise, there wasn’t a noticeable break up from Smith later within the season in comparison with earlier within the season. His higher punt returns really got here earlier whereas his receiving manufacturing was comparatively constant.
TREVOR KEEGAN
Quick and candy remark from an NFC nationwide scout:
“He’s tremendous good and processes actually rapidly when issues begin shifting quick in entrance of him.”
JEREMIAH TROTTER JR.
Trotter was LB5 in McGinn’s rankings. He was the twelfth off-ball linebacker drafted. Notable disparity there.
JEREMIAH TROTTER, Clemson (6-0, 226, 4.81, 3-4): Third-year junior. “I query his velocity,” one scout mentioned. “However all he does is make performs.” He delay operating the 40 on the mix after which flopped at professional day operating a 4.81. “He ain’t getting drafted as a result of he can’t run,” a second scout mentioned sounding solely midway critical. His father, Jeremiah, was the Eagles’ third-round decide in 1998 as an imposing center linebacker from Stephen F. Austin. He was 6-0 1/2 and 261, ran 4.67 and made 4 Professional Bowls. “He’s not his dad,” a 3rd scout mentioned. “He’s obtained his dad’s peak and after that he didn’t get something. Only a small, try-hard man. The dad didn’t actually have instincts. He was only a bodily specimen. The son isn’t instinctive. He doesn’t have compensating athletic potential and motion, velocity, burst and power for his measurement. He’s going to have a tough time.” A two-year starter, he completed with 195 tackles (29 ½ for loss), 13 sacks, three compelled fumbles, 4 picks and 16 passes defensed. “His dad was a giant, sturdy, thumping get-your-ass ‘mike’,” a fourth scout mentioned. “This man’s a pleasant backup and perhaps he begins for a group that doesn’t have a variety of depth … You have a look at his protection, it’s above common. Within the run recreation, he will get knocked round. The objective is to not get locked up with a 330-pound guard. As soon as this man has to tackle front-five gamers he will get swallowed up. He can’t get disengaged. Sooner or later, you’ve obtained to get off blocks. He’ll be a backup as a result of he’s a wise participant.” From Hainesport, N.J.
Trot Jr. did certainly make performs at Clemson with 29.5 TFLs, 13 sacks, 4 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, and three compelled fumbles. That manufacturing can’t be discounted.
That mentioned, the “good backup and perhaps he begins for a group that doesn’t have a variety of depth” would possibly certainly be essentially the most honest expectation for him in Philly. If he performs higher than that, nice! However to merely assume it’ll occur leaves a variety of room for disappointment.
Extra reward for Trotter’s intelligence got here up in a quote from an AFC government:
“Actually good. All the time beneath management. He will get guys lined up and he’s actually fast to learn and react. If he was a little bit greater I may see him going within the first [round].”
THE REST
Couldn’t discover any quotes that talked about Johnny Wilson, Dylan McMahon, or any of the Eagles’ reported undrafted rookie free agent signings.
