Inside the Iggles
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Philadelphia Eagles: Was the 2017 NFL Draft class a flop?

By Justin Grasso

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Shelton Gibson #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by running back Justin Davis #33 of the Los Angeles Rams on a kick return in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Shelton Gibson #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by running back Justin Davis #33 of the Los Angeles Rams on a kick return in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Linebacker Nathan Gerry #47 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his interception with teammate cornerback ornerback Rasul Douglas #32 against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Linebacker Nathan Gerry #47 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his interception with teammate cornerback ornerback Rasul Douglas #32 against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

A look at the Bottom-End of the Draft

Between rounds four and six, the Eagles had five picks that year. Two in the fourth, two in the fifth, and the final pick in the sixth round. This is precisely the area of the draft where the Eagles didn’t seem to do an excellent job. Some of these guys are still barely hanging on, while others are gone.

Elijah Qualls, DT, 214th pick

Elijah Qualls was the final pick of the draft that year. He was a depth piece on the Super Bowl-winning team in 2017. So his contributions to winning the big game weren’t much. The following season, Qualls couldn’t even crack the Eagles final 53-man roster, so they waived him. He would never find his way back to Philly, further meaning that pick did not pan out for the Birds.

What needs to happen? Nothing. Qualls is out of the picture trying out for the Baltimore Ravens.

Nathan Gerry, LB, 184th pick

At first, this pick came off as a flop. The Eagles actually waived Nathan Gerry during the summer of his rookie season. He was brought back to the team in October when the Eagles linebackers went through some injury struggles. He has remained on the team since then, but still hasn’t taken a big step forward, despite all of the hype he has garnered from his coaches over the last two offseasons.

The good news for Gerry is that he’s a fifth-round pick. Therefore, he has room for error. However, how long will it take before the Eagles realize he might not be able to create a lasting impact on the defense? They are trying to get him involved more, but once the regular season rolls around, don’t be surprised to see the former safety buried on the depth chart once again.

What needs to happen? If Gerry could see a slight increase in snaps as a solid rotational piece, his pick won’t look so bad. We’re not expecting a full-time starter though.

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