Philadelphia Eagles Combine Preview: 5 Sleepers on Defense

Nov 23, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange safety Durell Eskridge (3) reacts to a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1) Durell Eskridge, S, Syracuse

It’s clear the Eagles have some work to do in order to fix their secondary. They’ll likely need two new starting cornerbacks and another new starter at safety opposite Malcolm Jenkins. With an overall in their sights, a player like Syracuse safety Durell Eskridge might be a prospect to watch at the combine.

Eskridge is listed at 6-3, 207 lbs. on Syracuse’s official site and those numbers are usually exaggerated a bit. But if he does officially come in at those numbers, then that will immediately grab the attention of many. While he’s raw on the field and would have likely benefited from another year with the Orange, Eskridge has the tools to be a potential starting safety in a couple of years.

It’ll be tough to find an immediate answer at safety in this year’s draft class but taking a risk on a player such as Eskridge somewhere during day three of the 2015 NFL Draft might not be such a bad option. Eskridge certainly has the size, long arms and athleticism that the Eagles look for on the defensive side of the ball, that’s for sure.

Next: 2) Ladarius Gunter, DB, Miami