The Eagles are expected to address several positions of need this offseason. Since the team won’t be able to upgrade every spot in free agency, the 2019 NFL Draft will be paramount in Philadelphia’s quest to get back to the Super Bowl.
The Draft Network’s Joe Marino recently spoke over the phone with NJ Advance Media to discuss the Eagles’ outlook entering the selection process. Marino offered his takes on the Eagles’ best fit at the running back position, the defensive tackle class and more.
(Editor’s Note: If you’re a fan of making mock drafts, check out The Draft Network’s personalized mock draft machine by clicking here)
Below is our conversation with Marino:
Mike Kaye: Who is the best three-way running back (running, catching, blocking) in the class in the Day 2 range?
Joe Marino: "I think things really drop off after [Alabama running back] Josh Jacobs and I’m not sure the Eagles would want to take him at No. 25, so my attention kind of turns to Miles Sanders of Penn State.
He’s the guy with the most complete skillset after Josh Jacobs. [He] also gives you some dynamic athletic ability. There’s plenty of multifaceted backs in this class, but which ones can really provide those elusive traits to be a really big play threat? I think you get that most in Miles Sanders."
MK: Obviously, the Eagles aren’t in position to land someone like Alabama’s Quinnen Williams and they may not be able to select Clemson’s Christian Wilkins either. Which second-tier three-technique could the Eagles target with the 25th overall pick?
JM: "The name that pops for me in that discussion is Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery. He’s a senior for Norte Dame, who really popped as a senior. It seems like he put it all together. There were some concerns with the way he was evolving back in 2017 but I kept on watching game after game in 2018 where he showed really high-level traits.
His game against Stanford is arguably the most dominant game tape I’ve seen of any player at any position for this class. He’s the guy that has the traits to give you run-stopping ability and pass rush in that second tier that I like."
MK: It seems like it’s a low-key strong class for slot receivers, who are two or three names to look out for at that position?
JM: "A couple of names that I really like -- and I’ll give you a couple of different options in terms of size and skillsets. First of all, A.J. Brown from Ole Miss, he won primarily from the slot as a volume receiver in that Ole Miss offense. What I like about him is that he’s a bigger guy that has a nice ability at the catch point. He’s physical but there’s more ability after-the-catch than I expected when I popped on the film for him. He’s a guy that I think is a true three-level threat that can uncover quickly but also create for himself post-catch.
When you talk about slot receiver in this year’s class, you have to mention Hunter Renfrow from Clemson. He’s not going to ‘wow’ you with any of his physical traits but there’s two things I know Hunter Renfrow can do: he can uncover and he’ll catch the ball consistently. A very, very consistent football player at the catch point. He knows how to shake guys and really sell his route breaks and get free, but he’s really got the best hands in the class. They only check in at 7 and 3/4 [inches] but this dude doesn’t drop anything. He extends, he catches the football outside of his frame routinely, he can actually go up and get it. Everyone may be guilty of overlooking him because of his physical stature but this is a dude who can get open and catch the football."
MK: I think it’s a general consensus that the linebacker group is the weakest position in the class but which position would you give that honor - or lack thereof -- to?
JM: "I think a case can be made for the linebackers, but to me, I go back to the running backs, where if you really look at the landscape of this class, I think there’s very little in terms of guys that you think can be true difference-makers. A lot of niche players, a lot of power backs, a lot of receiving backs, but the guys you’re really thinking can be the featured back, the focal point of a rushing attack, I’m not really sure how deep that list of guys is.
Obviously, Josh Jacobs comes to mind. Maybe [Iowa State’s] David Montgomery. But if you’re looking for a true workhorse back, your options are pretty slim this year."
MK: Can Miles Sanders be that guy?
JM: "Well, I think he gives you a chance to be that. Obviously, his workload was pretty small up until this past year playing behind [Giants running back] Saquon Barkley, which is okay. I kind of like that low-mileage on the tires, if you will. I think that’s good for projecting and extending someone’s career in terms of giving you some shelf life because that’s usually a position where shelf life is pretty small when you make an investment in a running back.
I do feel somewhat good about Miles Sanders in that role. I think I would like to see him clean up some vision concerns and be a little bit more consistent in taking what’s available. Sometimes, he can get a little over-creative and try to work toward the boundary, but yeah, I think Miles Sanders gives you a chance in that role as well."
MK: The Eagles re-signed Brandon Graham, so defensive end isn’t as pressing of a need as it was entering the NFL Combine. Who are some Day 2 or 3 pass rushers to look out for?
JM: "It’s always challenging to find these mid-round EDGE rushers because it’s such a premium position in the NFL and the good ones get snatched up quick. It’s not an easy position to wait and really get a guy who is going to provide return on an investment but there are names that come to mind in that tier.
Malik Carney from North Carolina. He had a really good season to cap off his career. He was suspended early but he turned it on and showed a lot of nuance as a pass rusher at the Shrine Game. I thought that was really where I kind of fell in love with him in terms of him being a mid-round guy.
And then Wyatt Ray from Boston College, he’s a guy that I love his ability to carry speed up the arc and really corner the outside edge track but he’s really kind of a one-year guy where most of his production came in just a couple of games. I think the good, top-tier pass rushers, the guys who are going to make a real impact, they’re going to be snatched up really early, so you run into some risk if you’re expecting big dividends on mid-round pass rushers."
MK: If there was a guy on Day 2 who could turn into a long-term developmental left tackle, who would that be?
JM: "To me, that’s Yodny Cajuste from West Virginia. We know Philadelphia loves to tap into that West Virginia pipeline for prospects. I think that Cajuste does a lot of great things in terms of he obviously has the physical tools that really are exciting but he moves well laterally, he’s got good length. His pop and his punch [are] outstanding. He really can stun opponents when he gets his hands on them.
I think he just really needs to develop his pass sets, be really more consistent in framing on the outside. His set points that he was asked to get to in college are going to be much different than what he will be asked to do in the NFL. But what I like is that he’s got the length and mobility to really develop himself. I think if you can get his foot work cleaned up, you could have a guy that can really project as a long-term starter and give you that really nice developmental guy on Day 2 that has a lot of upside."
Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.