Potential Eagles draft target earns unfortunate Ben Simmons comparison

The Philadelphia Eagles will have a lot of options on Thursday. They could draft a wide receiver, or they could reload and retool their defense and choose a linebacker (yeah right) or a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft.

One name we keep hearing and/or mentioning is the one belonging to former LSU Tigers standout Derek Stingley Jr. He earned a mention recently, and it isn’t one that Philadelphia sports fans want to hear. ESPN’s Front Office Insider Mike Tannenbaum compared the former Bayou Bengal to former 76er and current Brooklyn Nets guard-forward Ben Simmons on a recent airing of NFL Live. Gulp…

What Tannenbaum meant becomes obvious immediately. He believes that the two are alike because they don’t have a lot of recent tape and their availability is unknown. No one needs an explanation as to why hearing a take like this one would strike fear into the hearts of Eagles fans though, do they? Those definitely aren’t dots that you want to see connected when we’re discussing someone who might end up in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey.

Here’s the some of the segment. Thank ESPN’s official YouTube channel for the clip.

This shouldn’t damage how the Eagles view Derek Stingley, should it?

In regards to there not being enough tape on Stingley, we get it, but making these types of comparisons, whether fair or unfair, would lead some to ask whether or not we should question Derek’s work ethic or desire as that’s constantly being questioned with Simmons.

That isn’t to say that Simmons’ statements about his mental and physical health are false. Still, we’re all privy to what’s being said about the former Sixer publicly and privately.

The last thing Philly fans want to hear about a draft prospect is a parallel that’s been drawn between said target and a man whose name approaches levels of toxicity in the City of Brotherly Love. So far, there’s been no reason to question Stingley’s work ethic and motor. It would be a shame if those questions began now.

On another note, isn’t it interesting that both played their college ball at LSU? All that aside, questions continue to follow Stingley as he has yet to duplicate the success he saw early pre-injury.

The former LSU corner has only played in ten games in two seasons. That’s resulted in 73 tackles, two forced fumbles, and six interceptions, but when a player who is projected to be a first-round selection has limited tape as is the case with Stingley, there is sometimes danger of them falling in the NFL Draft.

As the hour and Round 1 nears, Stingley’s stock seems to be rising again. Some see him as a top-ten draft choice. As you can see from NFL Live‘s take, some even see him as someone who can hear his name called during the first three picks, but he’s also been given mid-first-round grades.

It’s hard to believe teams would choose Stingley over Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner if both are available. Gardner has never given up a touchdown during his college football career (and he’s managed to stay healthy), but you never know.

Keep an eye on Trent McDuffie as well. He’s known for being an aggressive tackler, and that’s something Eagles fans would love watching on Sundays. He’s also someone that we keep hearing Philly is interested in. Knowing vice president/general manager Howie Roseman’s track record however, regardless of what we know (or think we know), it’s best to expect some surprises.