Philadelphia Eagles: 6 Late-Round Defensive Options

With NFL free agency a week old, the market for veteran linebackers seems to be a bit pricey for the Philadelphia Eagles.

While it appears the Eagles have made inquiries about players like Stephen Tulloch and Curtis Lofton, they don't seem willing to shell out money for over-priced veterans while they still need to dish out contracts to some of their own, primarily to running back LeSean McCoy.

The NFL Draft is just a little more than a month away and the Eagles seem primed to address their trouble spots of linebacker, safety and even defensive tackle with their bounty of draft picks.

While the Birds are sure to address linebacker early on in the draft, they would be wise to stock up on defensive players in the draft, especially late, where they have had some success lately.

Guys like Jamar Chaney and Brian Rolle come to mind when thinking of late round draft picks who have had an impact recently for Andy Reid's bunch.

Here are six players the Eagles should target late in this year's NFL Draft.

Winston Guy, DB, Kentucky

Although the Eagles' last selection out of Kentucky, Trevard Lindley, didn't fare so well, Winston Guy would seem to fit the Eagles' needs.

Guy has some experience at linebacker, but most of his value comes in being able to cover more physical tight ends at the next level. The Eagles linebackers struggled mightily to keep up with speedier and stronger tight ends like Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

Coming off of a groin injury, he will be running again at his pro day in late March.

As a third or fourth safety he could have some serious value for the Eagles come draft time.

If he runs in the low 4.5s or high 4.4s at his pro day, Guy projects as a mid-round selection.

Justin Bethel, DB, Presbyterian

Bethel played both safety and corner at Presbyterian, which gives him added value for the Eagles, as he can fill in at free safety or at the nickel or dime cornerback position.

At the NFL Combine he posted the highest vertical jump of any defensive back at 39.5'', and the second highest broad jump at just under 11 feet.

It's clear that Bethel has all the athleticism necessary to contribute to a deep Eagles secondary, and he would also have some added value as a key special teamer.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict is perhaps the most notorious player in this year's draft class, and that's not a good thing.

In the preseason Burfict was projected as a top 20 pick, but has since fallen down draft boards and is now fighting to be considered a late-round selection.

Burfict has major character concerns, both on and off the field, and in order to be considered by teams he needed to show athleticism at the NFL combine and his pro day, and unfortunately he failed to do so.

While the Eagles have not been wary of players with character concerns in the past, Burfict may be a stretch for just about every team.

However, if any team can mold him into a functioning NFL linebacker, it could be the Eagles.

Noah Keller, LB, Ohio

After missing the entire 2010 season with a toe injury, Noah Keller finished his Ohio career as a major contributor to the Bobcats in a season that resulted in a MAC Championship game loss to Northern Illinois.

Totaling over 100 tackles in the three full seasons he played, Keller has been known as a run stuffer in the middle and a fantastic finisher of tackles in the box, something the Eagles desperately need.

While he may not be the most athletic linebacker in this year's draft class, Keller possesses what Juan Castillo's defense needs the most, and that's consistent tackling ability.

Keller has speed, evident through his 4.56 40-yard dash time at his pro day, but that's not what the Eagles would be drafting him for.

Keller's toughness in the interior is a trait that all of the Eagle's linebackers could use, and drafting Keller may be a step towards infecting the rest of the corps with this mentality.

DaJohn Harris, DT, USC

DaJohn Harris would be a prototypical Andy Reid selection along the defensive line. Harris is a three-technique tackle who is quick off of the ball and has a high motor.

After impressing at the East-West Shrine game, Harris showed to be one of the most consistent defensive linemen at the event.

However, Harris' stock may rise given the added value of third down pass-rushers in today's NFL.

According to Optimum Scouting, Harris is projected to be drafted anywhere between the third and fifth rounds. If the Eagles front office address linebacker and safety early on, Harris could be a steal on day three of the draft.

Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina (Canada)

While many may shake their heads at the Canadian defensive tackle, Hicks is the real deal. He has a stellar NFL Frame at 6'6'' and 320 pounds and he excels at clogging up the gaps on the defensive line.

Hicks isn't as athletic as a tackle like DaJohn Harris, but he's not that sort of player.

Hicks' real value is in his strength, evident by the 26 reps he posted at the NFL Combine.

He may be considered a reach by some, but he's been climbing up draft boards ever since his impressive performance at this year's East-West Shrine Game.