Adrian Fedkiw
The Doug Pederson quarterback tour has garnered all of the attention in Philadelphia, but it’s just part of the ongoing process leading into the NFL Draft at the end of the month.
The Eagles are allowed to hold up to 30 pre-draft visits at the NovaCare Complex, although no private sessions outside of the facility are counted toward that number.
Pederson worked out California’s Jared Goff on Monday, Stanford’s Kevin Hogan Tuesday, North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz on Wednesday and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch on Thursday. Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg is expected to meet with Philadelphia next week. Philly also brought Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott in for a visit. The dual-threat, who threw for 3,793 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions and added 588 yards and 10 more scores on the ground, is projected to be drafted between the second and fourth rounds. Prescott was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on March 14.
UCLA’s Paul Perkins and Richmond’s Jacobi Green have been the only running backs who have worked out with the Birds. Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing as a sophomore last year and is the intriguing name here. He has a solid combination of speed and power. The Eagles are looking to add a running back to the mix with the trade of DeMarco Murray to Tennessee and Perkins could be a guy they take in the middle rounds.
Will Philadelphia attempt to add a wide receiver in the draft? It has looked at Western Kentucky’s Antwane Grant, TCU’s Kolby Listenbee, Southern Mississippi’s Mike Thomas at the NovaCare Complex, held a private workout with Stanford’s Devon Cajuste and attended Richmond Reggie Diggs’ Pro Day. Although the Eagles added Rueben Randle and Chris Givens in free agency, you’d think they’ll pluck at least one wideout.
Howie Roseman has stated that the team is looking for a deep threat and Listenbee could be an option. The All-American track star ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at the combine and averaged 19.9 yards per reception with the Horned Frogs this past season.
At tight end, the Eagles held a private workout with UTSA’s David Morgan and attended Ohio State Nick Vannett’s Pro Day. Philly has yet to work out an offensive lineman.
On defense, the Eagles have held pre-draft visits for Maryland defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, LSU linebacker Deion Jones, Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones and LSU’s Rashard Robinson. They attended private sessions with safeties Justin Simmons of Boston College and Darian Thompson of Boise State and the Pro Days of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave out of South Carolina State, outside linebacker Quentin Gause of Rutgers and defensive tackle Greg Milhouse Jr. of Campbell.
Jones is an interesting talent. He’s less than 6-feet tall but is a solid press corner who may be drafted as a nickel cornerback. He also ran four punts back for touchdowns last year. Robinson is also a talented press corner as long as can look past all of the off-field issues, but Chip Kelly’s not here anymore so we’ll see. Thompson is a smart safety who can cover and stop the run.