Eagles Take DT Bennie Logan In Third Round
The Eagles flipped to the defensive side of the ball in the third round, selecting LSU defensive tackle Bennie Logan.
Logan (6-2, 309) was a two-year starter at tackle for LSU. He finished the 2012 season with 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks. Playing alongside the likes of Michael Brockers, he was overshadowed for much of his time with the Tigers. But Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman identified a versatile lineman that they believe can be a three-down player.
“He can push the pocket from the inside,” said Kelly. “Really kind of a guy that we targeted. He was a second-round kid for us. We were just kind of holding our breath there as he fell. I think it will be a great fit for Billy Davis and what he is going to do with those guys.”
When the Eagles met with Logan at the Combine, they told him they were interested because he can play nose tackle, the three-technique, one technique and defensive end. He prefers playing in the interior, which is where he’ll likely be most of the time.
“When I talked to him at the Combine they told me they were going to run a 3-4 defense and what not,” said Logan. “They said they are going to be doing a lot of movement and that I move real good, so I will be able to fit int heir scheme real good.”
Logan said the Eagles, Browns and Cowboys were showing the most interest.
“The more I see of this kid the more I like him,” said NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock prior to the draft. “He plays hard. He didn’t have the same kind of PR that the [Glenn] Dorseys and all of those other LSU defensive tackles have had. But he may be a better pro than he was a college player.”
From his NFL.com draft profile:
Athletic tackle with a wide frame and solid thickness and strength throughout. Nice lateral quickness to step into a gap after the snap, can penetrate through to get a hand on the ballcarrier or hold his ground with a shoulder against single blocks to stuff the hole. Plays with leverage when man-up and against double-teams, doesn’t get moved off the line often. Flashes the violent hands and pop to shed and eat up backs coming into his area. Works hard as a pass rusher… Not elite in his initial quickness, will be stoned more consistently by NFL linemen unless it improves and might be taken out in obvious passing situations. Might be best as an athletic nose, rather than a three-technique. Inconsistent getting off blocks inside to two-gap, lunges towards ballcarriers after they’re already by him.
Like second-round pick Zach Ertz, Kelly had first-hand knowledge of Logan, having played against him in 2011.
“I guess that’s what kind of gave me an advantage over most people because he actually saw me play in real life,” said Logan.
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