Combine Complete: Who Should the Eagles Be Interested In?
For those football fans who didn’t notice or hear, the 2020 NFL season began on television on Thursday, February 27th as the annual NFL Scouting Combine started.
Let’s face it, the wheeling and dealing are in full force to put together a team that can finish out with a winning season, make the playoffs and has a shot at the next Super Bowl.
Teams are now on notice to find their missing chess pieces for on-field success and the crop of talented young would-be NFL players is on full display for GM’s, head coaches and every football fan in America to see and talk about.
The Eagles hold the No. 21 pick in the first round and the speculation about that pick is building daily.
Will the Eagles go for a speedy receiver or see an even more pressing need on the O Line?
The first couple of days of the NFL combine have brought both expected results and plenty of raised eyebrows.
Here is a breakdown of notable performances at key positions so far.
Offensive Linemen
Tristan Wirfs // Iowa
Tristan Wirfs from Iowa has been central to the buzz about this year’s class of O Linemen at the Combine. Wirfs measures in at 6’5″ and 320 lbs. and ran a 4.85 40 yard dash – that’s right, an offensive lineman ran a 4.85 40 which means he ran faster than many skill position players let alone fellow linemen. Wirfs also established a record 36.5″ vertical leap and tied the record for a 10’1″ broad jump. What does this all mean? Tristan Wirfs is certainly going to be a first-round draft pick and could have an immediate impact wherever he goes.
Mekhi Becton // Lousiville
Another mouth-dropping moment at the NFL Combine came when Louisville OT Mekhi Becton ran a 5.10 40 yard dash. That is very respectable for any lineman but Mehki Becton is not just any lineman but a 6’7 3/8″, 357 lb. lineman and Becton put in the fastest time for a player over 350 lbs. since 2003. Combining speed with enormous size means that Becton is a dream for any O Line coach or Offensive Coordinator and could quickly become any QB’s best friend.
Ezra Cleveland // Bose State
Cleveland registered 30 bench press reps before the running drills and ran a very respectable 4.93 40 yard dash. Cleveland also showed his quick feet by posing a 7.26 second time in the 3 Cone Drill which was the fastest for all O Linemen.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor // Wisconsin
Jonathan Taylor showed off his talents and led the RB pack by posting a 4.39 second time in the 40 which was the fastest for all RB’s this week. Taylor is not the most nimble of RB’s but he showed off his receiver skills and could easily fit into an offensive scheme as a check down receiver as well as a steady RB.
Darrynton Evans // Appalachian State
Another name that gained attention in Indianapolis was Darrynton Evans out of Appalachian State. Evans, a 5’10”, 203 lb. RB posted a strong 4.41 40-time and showed smart running skills in the agility drills and accordingly his draft stock has just risen considerably.
Quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts // Oklahoma
Jalen Hurts out of Oklahoma led the pack in terms of impressiveness on Thursday night and registered a very respectable 4.59 40 time and a 10’5″ broad jump which speaks to his athleticism. Hurt’s intelligence, quiet leadership, and athletic ability will no doubt allow him to land on an NFL roster and he has been predicted to go in the third round.
Steven Montez // Colorado
Another quiet surprise from Thursday night was Steven Montez from Colorado who posted a solid 4.68 40-time and showed off a good arm to the scouts. Montez may be a viable backup QB option that the Eagles may need to watch and recent history shows that the Eagles need to be serious about stocking up on solid backup QBs.
Wide Receivers
Henry Ruggs III // Alabama
Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III didn’t disappoint observers at the Combine by posting a 4.27 40 time which isn’t the fastest time ever but impressive nonetheless. Some observers were concerned after Ruggs didn’t finish some of the drills but he certainly will be a first-round draft pick and many pundits predict that he will be drafted by the Eagles as an answer for the need for speed in the Eagles WR corps.
Justin Jefferson // LSU
Justin Jefferson out of LSU also impressed observers and posted a 4.43 40 time which isn’t blinding speed but a very respectable time.
Chase Claypool // Notre Dame
One WR who stood out was Chase Claypool of Notre Dame who is regarded as a tough and fast player overall. Claypool posted a solid 4.42 40-time and based on the fact that he has been a gunner on punt teams, he shows toughness and willingness for violent contact which alone helps him stand out against other receivers in the Combine.
Featured Image: ---
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.