Eagles Day 2 Draft Cheat Sheet

The Eagles are scheduled to pick at No. 35 (second round) and No. 67 (third round) tonight.

The draft kicks off at 6:30, and once again, we’ll host a live chat. Obviously, the picks could change, depending on trades, so here’s a list of potential targets, broken down by position.

QUARTERBACKS

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia – We wrote about him earlier. Every team passed on Smith in the first round. The question now for the Eagles: Did they just not like him in the first round, or do they not like him at all? There are only two picks before the Birds select at No. 35. The Jaguars could take Smith at No. 33, or a team could move up. If the Birds pass on him at No. 35, it’s safe to say he’s probably just not on their board at all.

Other quarterbacks, like Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib and USC’s Matt Barkley could go off the board today, but I don’t see them being fits for the Eagles.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee – If you want a good sleeper at No. 35, keep Hunter’s name in mind. He has a rare blend of size (6-4, 196) and speed (4.44). Greg Cosell of NFL Films recently compared his body type and skill set to A.J. Green. Hunter displayed poor hands in college, but he has tremendous upside and would complement what the Eagles already have on their roster.

Robert Woods, WR, USC – Woods (6-0, 201) had 32 touchdowns in three seasons with the Trojans and caught 20 balls for 183 yards and three scores in three games against Oregon. He does not have elite speed (4.51), but can probably line up inside or outside and has experience as a returner. If the Eagles trade down in the second, or if Woods lasts to the third, he could be an option.

Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas – An elite athlete, Goodwin (5-9, 183) ran a 4.27 40 at the Combine and competed in the Olympics in the long jump, finishing 10th. He is not a polished receiver, but can use his speed in a variety of ways – catching the ball, running the ball and on special teams. Obviously not the biggest guy, but Kelly has to be intrigued by Goodwin’s speed and versatility. He’d be a potential target in the third round.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M – Very productive college player with 233 catches and 23 touchdowns the past three seasons. Swope (6-0, 205) ran a 4.34 40 and would be a tough cover in the slot. A very serious issue though is his history of concussions. According to the Houston Chronicle, he’s suffered four. Could be a third-round option, though, and might fall to Day 3.

Others: Keenan Allen (Cal), Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee Tech).

TIGHT ENDS

Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford – Ertz (6-5, 249) had 69 catches for 898 yards and six touchdowns last season. And Kelly knows his talents all too well. Against Oregon last season, Ertz caught 11 balls for 106 yards and a score. He’s drawn comparisons to Jason Witten and could be an option for the Eagles at No. 35.

Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati – The Eagles have done a lot of homework on tight ends, including Jason’s brother, Travis. Kelce (6-5, 255) had off-the-field issues at Cincinnati, and sports hernia surgery kept him from working out at the Combine. But on the field, he presents a versatile skill set, with the ability to block, make plays in the vertical passing game and rack up yards after the catch. Expected to go in the second or third rounds.

Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State – The Eagles reportedly had him in for an official visit, and Escobar (6-6, 254) could be an option in the third round. He caught 42 balls for 543 yards and six touchdowns last year. Because of his length, Escobar can create matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Others: Vance McDonald (Rice), Jordan Reed (Florida).

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Brian Schwenke, G/C, California – Just because the Eagles added Lane Johnson doesn’t mean they’re done adding offensive linemen. Schwenke (6-3, 314) played against Kelly in the Pac-12 and tested well at the Combine, showing good athleticism. He can play guard or center and has a “mean streak” according to Cosell. Could be a third-round option.

Dallas Thomas, OL, Tennessee – One more offensive lineman the Eagles could take a look at on Day 2. Thomas (6-5, 300) spent two years at tackle, before switching to guard his senior season. He was reportedly one of the team’s 30 official visits to the NovaCare Complex.

Others: Terron Armstead (tackle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Brian Winters (guard, Kent State), Menelik Watson (tackle, Florida State).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Jesse Williams, DL, Alabama – We know the Eagles are in the market for versatile defensive linemen, and Williams (6-3, 323) falls into that category, with the ability to play nose tackle or the 5-technique. Keep an eye on the 49ers though. They could take Williams with the 34th pick, one ahead of the Eagles.

Margus Hunt, DL, SMU – If Kelly really likes long players on defense, he has to be intrigued by Hunt (6-8, 277). A physical specimen, Hunt ran a 4.60 at the Combine and benched 225 pounds 38 times. Originally coming to America from Estonia with track and field aspirations, Hunt is still relatively new to the game and will be 26 in July. But he had eight sacks last season, blocked 17 (!!!) kicks in college and has a blend of length and athleticism that is unmatched. Hunt projects as a 5-technique in a 3-4 and figures to go off the board some time in the second round.

John Jenkins, DL, Georgia – Kelly said earlier this offseason that the reason he likes size on defense is because big people beat up little people. Jenkins (6-4, 346) is one of the bigger people in the draft, but he has some athleticism. Could certainly line up at nose tackle, but showed the ability to play the 5-technique also. Could be a second- or third-round target.

LINEBACKERS

Tank Carradine, OLB/DE Florida State – At 6-4, 276 (34 3/4-inch arms), he has size and versatility. But Carradine suffered a torn ACL in November, which could explain why he’s still available. And he might be a better fit as a 4-3 defensive end. The Eagles had him in for an official visit to the team facility. Kelly said Thursday night that Dion Jordan was an option with the No. 4 pick. While Carradine’s a different player, perhaps he will be the outside linebacker the Eagles end up with. He’s likely to go in the second round. Update: Bad news on Carradine’s medical. Could cause him to drop.

Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi – In addition to his height (6-3, 250), Collins has long arms (33 3/4 inches). He had 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a senior and tested well at the Combine (4.64 40, 41.5-inch vertical).

Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia – Production did not match the talent. Washington (6-4, 264) tested well at the Combine, running a 4.55 40 and benching 225 pounds 36 times. But he only had 22 tackles and half-a-sack last season for the Bulldogs. He also has a DUI on his record. Could be a third-round target.

Quanterus Smith, OLB, Western Kentucky – He had 12.5 sacks through 10 games last season before tearing his ACL. The Eagles had Smith (6-5, 250) in for an official visit. Could be a third-round target.

Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State – If the Eagles spend a second-round pick on Brown (6-0, 241 and brother of Bryce), it would fall in the “best player available” category. With Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans on the roster, they have starting inside linebackers in place. But they don’t have a lot of depth, and the Eagles could find Brown’s production and versatility appealing.

CORNERBACKS

Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State – Have to think he won’t be on the board for long. Taylor (5-11, 192) ran a 4.39 40 at the Combine, and many projected him to be a first-round pick. Four cornerbacks were taken Thursday, and there figures to be a run on the next tier in the second round. Taylor could be an option at No. 35.

Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State – Pro Football Talk reported recently that Slay is dealing with a torn meniscus, which could affect his stock. With his size (6-0, 192) and speed (4.36 40), Slay will be an attractive option, if healthy. The Eagles reportedly had him in for an official visit.

Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn – The Eagles signed Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, who are 6-1 and 6-0, respectively. Wreh-Wilson (6-1, 195) is one of the longer cornerback prospects available, and he ran a 4.53 at the Combine. Could be an option at No. 35, or perhaps more likely, if the Eagles trade down.

Others: Jordan Poyer (Oregon State), Sanders Commings (Georgia), Robert Alford (SE Louisiana State).

SAFETIES

Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International – Will the Eagles use a second-round pick on a safety for the third time in four years? If so, Cyprien could fit the bill. The 6-foot, 217-pounder possesses an array of skills and could be on the short list at No. 35.

D.J. Swearinger, S. South Carolina – Another safety to keep in mind. Swearinger is a big hitter and was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks. At 5-10, 208 (4.67 40), he might not possess the measurables that Kelly is looking for, but Swearinger could still be a target in the second or third rounds.

Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State – He led the nation with eight interceptions last year and also showed the ability to play up near the line of scrimmage with 12 tackles for loss, third among all defensive backs. Thomas (6-0, 208) reportedly had a private workout with the Eagles. Could be a third-round target.

Others: Bacarri Rambo (Georgia), JJ Wilcox (Georgia Southern), Shamark Thomas (Syracuse).

** Note: I did not include any running backs on the list. I’ve been wrong before, but don’t see the Eagles going that route until Day 3.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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