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Who Has Emerged From The Scouting Combine as Eagles’ Targets?

By Jesse Shuter

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Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Joshua Shaw catches a pass in a work out drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine was completed with its final day on Monday. For an Eagles fan it was also the most important day since it was the defensive back day. The star prospects showed off their talent. Many answered questions and others caused some. Some players emerged as possible targets for the Philadelphia Eagles, but who might they be.

Defensive Backs:

There were quite a few possible Eagles’ targets that emerged on Monday. Obviously Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes turned quite a few heads with his forty time and became the clear cut number one cornerback for any team. But who else could be a later round option for the Eagles?

Late 1st Round/Early-Mid 2nd Round:

Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Kevin Johnson catches a pass in a work out drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest; Ronald Darby, Florida State; Jalen Collins, LSU

Kevin Johnson of Wake Forest has quickly become my favorite cornerback in this draft. This is because of his value. While other corners (Waynes) have more talent than him and would be a much better pick in the first round, he seems to be the only “top” cornerback capable of falling to the second round. This makes him a big value pick. Johnson has all the talent a raw skills to be a very successful cornerback in the NFL. His downside is that he is under weight but that can be changed in the NFL.

Jalen Collins is very raw prospect. He has the size and talent to be a good cornerback, but he needs to work on loosening his hips when dropping into coverage, and also not leaving too much separation between himself and the wide receiver. Ronald Darby also needs some work, but proved at the combine with his speed and hands that he has the raw talent to be a successful cornerback.

Late 2nd Round/Early-Mid 3rd Round:

Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad defensive corner Quinten Rollins of Miami (Ohio) (22) makes a catch during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Shaw, USC; Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH); Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon

USC’s Josh Shaw has been connected to the Eagles ever since head coach Chip Kelly went to watch him at the Senior Bowl. Shaw is a very physical corner with decent speed and a lot of strength. He needs to work on his coverage skills as he has a hard time knowing when to accelerate and he also struggles tracking the ball.

Rollins was a very intriguing prospect as he was a former basketball player at his college. Some sources say based on his less than desirable 4o yard dash time he would better suited as a safety nevertheless the Eagles could use him. He would be a steal in the third or even the second round as some initially had him as a first rounder. After his 40 time his stock might slide a bit but he is great target for the Eagles.

Ekpre-Olomu of Oregon is almost certainly going to be on the Eagles list because of his connection to Chip Kelly. Olomu didn’t participate at the combine due to injury, but will likely participate at his pro day. His injury might slide his stock, but that is a good thing for Eagles fans because the former projected first round pick would be a much better value in the third where he belongs.

Late 3rd Round/4th Round/Early 5th Round:

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Troy Hill (13) breaks up a pass for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) during the first quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Gaines, Louisville; Senquez Golson, Mississippi; Troy Hill, Oregon

Of these three Golson should go the highest with his tape showing he has a lot of raw skill and the potential to be one of the top corners in this draft. His problem is that he never really played man coverage in college and he needs to show teams that he is capable of doing so. He is also small for a cornerback which might ward off teams. However, Chip Kelly should not be scared off by this because Golson could be the steal of the draft this late.

Gaines surprised me at the combine with shocking speed. The rest of his day was quite impressive as well, he should definitely be on the Eagles and other teams’ lists after today.

Hill is almost guaranteed to be on the Eagles list because of his connection to Chip Kelly. Luckily for Eagles fans, he was impressive with a very solid combine. He wasn’t very fast but he looked fluid and his game tape shows that he is a smart cornerback that understands how to play.

Wide Receivers:

A couple of receivers grabbed my attention and should be on the Eagles draft boards as a potential slot receiver.

Chris Conley, Georgia

Before the combine Conley would have been lucky to be a fifth round pick. Now he is potentially a third or even a second round pick. Conley’s route running is not the best as he tends to break off from his route in tight coverage. However he is great at making the spectacular catch and his 4.35 forty yard dash if you add his bench press (18) and his jumping, he is an athletic freak.

Sammie Coates, Auburn

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Coates is, in my opinion, the most intriguing receiver prospect aside from West Virginia’s Kevin White. He has a rare combination of speed and size and has the potential to be a receiver similar to that of the Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall. His route running needs some work and he reportedly has trouble getting on the same page as his quarterback. His combine performance also showed me that his hands need work. To me those seem like issues that can be worked out based on the potential reward. I know Chip Kelly likes his big receivers, enter Sammie Coates.

Hopefully the Eagles were paying close attention to the combine because we need help as an organization with our drafts. We do not want a repeat of the mess that was linebacker Marcus Smith. Hopefully this time around Chip Kelly will draft how we expect him to.

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