Deep Sleepers Philadelphia Eagles Should Target in 2017 NFL Draft
Finding value sleepers in the late rounds of the draft is high on the list of priorities for any NFL team, but as the 2017 NFL draft looms, the Philadelphia Eagles need them as much as anyone.
It's not that the Eagles have a shortage of high-round draft picks, but they are pretty boxed in to selecting from a couple of key positions early on to shore up significant holes in the depth chart. Beyond that, though, lie a plethora of positions where an infusion of young talent is paramount entering 2017.
Year 1 of the head coach Doug Pederson era, led by Carson Wentz, proved undoubtedly optimistic despite a 3-0 start devolving into a 7-9 record. The front office has addressed some inherent needs in free agency. But plenty of work is left to be done in the draft, and that will require precision to find valuable sleepers in the later rounds.
Let's take a look at a few players from the Eagles' positions of need who could be had in the fifth round or later at great value.
WR Josh Malone (Tennessee)
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Tennessee Volunteers receiver Josh Malone didn't get a full chance to show his NFL readiness in college, in part because of the Vols' run-heavy attack and in part because he applied for the draft as a junior. But don't let that hide the fact he has a marquee skill set for an NFL team to nurture.
Malone caught 50 balls for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016, providing a consistent deep threat for Tennessee. But it's his supreme route running, separation ability and all-around game that should stand out on top of his acumen for catching the deep ball.
He's something of a forgotten man in this draft class, which is stocked with ideal NFL candidates in the middle rounds. That could allow Malone to slip into the later rounds. Still, he has the game to become a starting receiver in the league and just needs a team to believe in him and give him those chances.
With the Eagles already housing some underwhelming young wideouts and two veterans who may not be with the team long term, Malone could get his chances early and often in Philly.
RB Jamaal Williams (BYU)
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There are a number of elite and high-caliber running backs to be had in this draft, and that will push some players capable of contributing a lot early in their careers down the pecking order. Jamaal Williams is certainly one of those.
Williams is a strong, thick running back who can move the pile at 6'0" and 211 pounds, using his size to bully tacklers and earn yards after contact. The former BYU standout showed both dependability and consistency in college, two things the Eagles have lacked from their running backs.
Williams doesn't fit the West Coast system well as a back who lacks elusiveness and versatility, but being plugged in behind Wendell Smallwood would nullify some of that. The Eagles need a bruiser to give the ball to in short-yardage situations. There's no doubt Williams could answer the bell there.
CB Ezra Robinson (Tennessee State)
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Speaking of positions this draft class is loaded on, cornerback may be the most loaded, and that's a welcome sight for Eagles fans who see two vacant spots on the depth chart at corner.
Obviously, nabbing a first- or second-round difference-maker is imperative for the Eagles in their hometown draft. But having some valuable sleepers to go after in the later rounds would make the rest of the draft easier, and that's where Tennessee State's Ezra Robinson comes in.
Robinson impressed throughout his collegiate career and didn't get the recognition he deserved until the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., at which he shone. At 5'11" and 187 pounds, he has the desired length to be a cover corner in an Eagles defense that asks a lot of its cornerbacks and the speed (4.47-second 40) to be an all-around playmaker. His broad jump score of 10'10" ranked fifth among cornerbacks at the combine.
Many Eagles fans won't get down with selecting a cornerback late in the draft to address the need, but Robinson shows the potential to come into training camp and compete for a starting job.
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WR Michael Rector (Stanford)
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Wide receiver is one of the spots where the Eagles should look to make a late-round splash considering they addressed the need in free agency but still need depth to count on. Taking a flier on a guy like Michael Rector would be a bold, yet intelligent move.
Rector got considerably less opportunity to showcase his talents in college than fellow WR sleeper Malone, playing in a Stanford system that never featured a true passing threat at quarterback. But his potential to be a deep threat jumps off the page, with his 4.42-second 40-yard dash and elusive 6'0" frame that allows him to achieve separation.
The Eagles wouldn't need Rector to be a deep threat off the bat, as Torrey Smith should assume those responsibilities in 2017. But nobody else on the roster truly threatens defenses over the top, so adding someone of Rector's acumen would only benefit the unit moving forward.
OT Chad Wheeler (USC)
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While the Eagles are set with offensive tackles for 2017, the writing is on the wall for needing young talent to develop, with Jason Peters aging and Lane Johnson assumed set to take over his left tackle spot. The 23-year-old Halapoulivaati Vaitai is the only promising young tackle on the roster.
However, USC's Chad Wheeler could come in and offer the offensive line another capable prospect to groom into becoming a starter. The former Trojan had injury troubles and an off-field incident in college, but neither should inhibit his ability to make good on great NFL potential and become a better player than his draft stock indicates.
Wheeler is an excellent pass-blocker with supreme athleticism, which bodes well for an offensive line that is set to protect a future elite quarterback like Wentz. He has room to grow in run blocking but will be able to learn from some of the game's best tackles before he competes for a starting spot.
LB Duke Riley (LSU)
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Duke Riley isn't as deep of a sleeper as many others on this list, but he'll likely be available on Day 3 and has to be included here because he could be an immediate difference-maker in gang green.
With the increased prevalence of blitzing linebackers in today's game, there aren't many perfect fits for a 4-3 weak-side linebacker in the draft class who can be had on Day 3. The LSU product may be the only one who fits the bill to the degree that he could compete for a starting spot where the Eagles desperately need help.
Incumbent starting WLB Mychal Kendricks is obviously a bad fit and doesn't come close to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense. Riley, however, is an athletic, rangy linebacker who is intelligent enough to read plays and either swarm to the ball or pick up tight ends and wide receivers in coverage.
Simply put, Riley is a perfect fit for the Eagles' system, and it wouldn't be off-base to nab him in the fourth round.
LB Vince Biegel (Wisconsin)
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Vince Biegel isn't nearly as splashy a prospect as Riley but still has the potential to develop into a 4-3 weak-side role and could be available as the draft reaches the final rounds.
The former Wisconsin standout has staked his claim as a dependable, every-down linebacker in a system that employs havoc-wreaking pass-rushers and asks the linebackers to sit back and read plays. Biegel gets his nose on the football; he made 44 tackles in 2016, including six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Philly does need some immediate help at linebacker that Biegel may not be able to provide, but he will offer a considerable lift to a position that lacks depth and needs an infusion of young talent.
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