Isaiah Rodgers Reinstated By The NFL After Missing 2023 For Gambling

Author Bob Cooney and Dylan MacKinnon

April 23rd 2:18 PM

A week ago, the NFL reinstated several players who were suspended last season for gambling. Not among them was Eagles’ CB Isaiah Rodgers. leading many fans to worry that there could be more up with his case, or that he would not be reinstated after all. Those fears were quelled today though.

Per Adam Schefter, Isaiah Rodgers has been reinstated by the NFL, and can now participate in all team activities.

Isaiah Rodgers Suspended For Gambling

Isaiah Rodgers came under fire last offseason when he became part of a gambling investigation. He reportedly opened up a sportsbook account under an associate’s name and placed hundreds of bets. Some on his own team, though never against his team. He even placed some from the Colts facility.

After an investigation, the NFL announced he was one of several players suspended for the entirety of 2023. After that news broke, the Colts waived him.

That is where the Eagles swooped in. They signed Rodgers to a contract, banking on him one day being reinstated, and gaining a promising young corner for next to no cost.

Can Rodgers Help The Eagles?

He obviously didn’t play last year. But he was very promising in 2022 for the Colts. In 2021 he had 3 interceptions, including this impressive play.

Will that be the guy the Eagles get this year? Who knows? Missing an entire year of Football is hard to immediately bounce back from.

Corner is still a dire need. Having Rodgers is nice, but in no way can you go into the season relying on him. There are too many unknowns there. Rodgers should be seen as a rotational guy from now. If he comes back and looks like he did in 2021, then maybe you have something. But the Eagles can’t bank on that happening, at least not out of the gate.

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The Eagles Mock Draft Roundup, Who Every Expert Has Them Picking at 22

• Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Trade up 16/Jared Verse-EDGE-Florida State

  “One year after moving up a slot to draft Jalen Carter, the Eagles once again climb the board for a top defensive prospect. They swap one of their second-round picks (No. 50) for the first of Seattle’s two fourth-rounders (No. 102) to move up six spots for Verse, who has a bright future as a power rusher and stout run defender on the edge.”

  Edge rusher is arguably a need now that they traded Haason Reddick. But me personally, I would hate this. Not because I don’t like Verse, I do. But because you are now giving up two picks, to address something that never needed to be a need. In Reuter’s draft, Laiatu Latu went at pick 23. You could stay at 22, pick Latu, and then still have your 2nd round pick.

  See his full Mock Draft here. 

  Mina Kimes on Twitter: "Jared Verse: confirmed very strong pic.twitter.com/GCC1dscrQe / Twitter"

  Jared Verse: confirmed very strong pic.twitter.com/GCC1dscrQe

• Peter Schrager/NFL.com: Cooper DeJean-DB-Iowa

  “DeJean had an outstanding college career and showed out at his private workout. He can play corner or safety and is a special teams Swiss Army Knife. Is 22 too rich? Maybe. But I can see him in an Eagles uniform.”

  This one I would be very happy with. Cornerback is obviously a need, and Cooper is among my favorite corners in the draft. He could also play inside, or even at Safety if needed. Staying at 22, and getting a great player, that fits a need, is an ideal outcome on day 1 of the draft.

  See his full mock draft here.

  Ian Rapoport on Twitter: "#Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, a likely first-rounder who impressed at his Pro Day, only had four days available for Top 30 visits due to Combine rechecks (fractured fibula) and his late Pro Day. He spent those days with: The #Steelers, #Seahawks, #Bills and #Eagles. / Twitter"

  Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, a likely first-rounder who impressed at his Pro Day, only had four days available for Top 30 visits due to Combine rechecks (fractured fibula) and his late Pro Day. He spent those days with: The #Steelers, #Seahawks, #Bills and #Eagles.

• Daniel Jeremiah/NFL.com: Nate Wiggins-CB-Clemson

  “The Eagles’ pass defense was atrocious last season. Wiggins is the most natural cover man in this year’s draft.”

  Another corner whose name I would be happy to see on draft day. Wiggins is an athletic freak and may have the highest upside of any corner in this draft. He ran the fastest 40-time for any corner at the Combine.

  See His Full Mock Draft Here.

  NFL on Twitter: "Oh my, Nate Wiggins. 4.29u. Wow.📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sgCVDjfADE / Twitter"

  Oh my, Nate Wiggins. 4.29u. Wow.📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sgCVDjfADE

• Bucky Brooks/NFL.com: Kool-Aid McKinstry-CB-Alabama

  “The Eagles need to improve on the island. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme requires corners to read routes and tackle well on the perimeter. McKinstry might lack elite athleticism, but he plays like a 10-year veteran outside the numbers.”

  Kool-Aid is my favorite potential pick. Not just because he has the collect name in the draft, but because I think he will be a special cornerback. He was also a leader with Alabama. The Eagles saw a lot of their leadership on defense leave, and Brandon Graham will be gone soon as well. Getting a potential future leader in on that side of the ball would be a plus.

  Up & Adams on Twitter: ""I wouldn't be in this position without Kool-Aid (McKinstry)... because he tells you what you don't wanna hear." @ArnoldTerrion says him and fellow @AlabamaFTBL All-American CB Kool-Aid McKinstry pushed each other everyday at Alabama 💪 #RollTide @GaQMcK1 @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/gT8STLTUgy / Twitter"

  "I wouldn't be in this position without Kool-Aid (McKinstry)... because he tells you what you don't wanna hear." @ArnoldTerrion says him and fellow @AlabamaFTBL All-American CB Kool-Aid McKinstry pushed each other everyday at Alabama 💪 #RollTide @GaQMcK1 @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/gT8STLTUgy

• Lance Zierlein/NFL.com: Nate Wiggins-CB-Clemson

  “Wiggins is quite slender at 173 pounds, but he possesses blazing speed and smooth footwork to mirror and match routes outside. Clearly, corner is a big area of need in Philadelphia.”

  Another Wiggins pick. Again, would be over the moon with this. He is not just fast as hell, but he is a technician. his small size is slightly concerning, but we saw Devonta Smith overcome the same issue as a WR.

  Read His Full Mock Draft Here.

  PFF College on Twitter: "Clemson CB Nate Wiggins vs UNC:🐅 36 Coverage Snaps🐅 18 Yards Allowed🐅 1 INT | 2 PBUs🐅 6.3 Passer Rating Allowed pic.twitter.com/OBvUKR1e2Z / Twitter"

  Clemson CB Nate Wiggins vs UNC:🐅 36 Coverage Snaps🐅 18 Yards Allowed🐅 1 INT | 2 PBUs🐅 6.3 Passer Rating Allowed pic.twitter.com/OBvUKR1e2Z

• Pete Prisco/CBS Sports: Amarius Mims-OT-Georgia

  “They know Lane Johnson won’t be playing forever, so why not take a tackle who can replace him? Amarius Mims had limited starts at Georgia, but he is a massive man with a ton of upside.”

  The Eagles taking an O-Lineman is a real possibility. they like to get ahead of things. And purely for replacing Lane, Mims makes sense. My problem with him is he does not have Guard versatility, at least not that we know of. If they take an O-Linemen at 22, for me, it needs to be someone who can start at RG for 2 years. I am not spending a 1st on a guy who won’t play until 2026. Not with how many other needs they have.

  Dov Kleiman on Twitter: "Amarius Mims Career Stats at Georgia:- 402 Pass Block Snaps- Zero Sacks Allowed- Zero QB Hits Allowed- 6 Pressures AllowedWho will draft him?(h/t @PFF_College) pic.twitter.com/jUmnVyalyE / Twitter"

  Amarius Mims Career Stats at Georgia:- 402 Pass Block Snaps- Zero Sacks Allowed- Zero QB Hits Allowed- 6 Pressures AllowedWho will draft him?(h/t @PFF_College) pic.twitter.com/jUmnVyalyE

   

• Mel Kiper 4.0/ ESPN : Nate Wiggins-CB-Clemson

  “Wiggins surrendered just one completion of 20-plus yards in 2023, and he has outstanding speed — he ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The blend of cover skills and physical tools should make him an early contributor.”

  Yet another person mocking Wiggins to the Eagles. Seems like he is a popular pick. Cornerback is definitely the popular position, but Wiggins in particular is the name coming up most often.

  ACC Football on Twitter: "Oh my goodness Nate Wiggins!!!A 98 yard pick six - that's the longest interception returned for a touchdown in #ACCFCG history.@ClemsonFB | #ACCFootball 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/mLESblWnL2 / Twitter"

  Oh my goodness Nate Wiggins!!!A 98 yard pick six - that's the longest interception returned for a touchdown in #ACCFCG history.@ClemsonFB | #ACCFootball 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/mLESblWnL2

• Matt Miller/ESPN: Nate Wiggins-CB-Clemson

  “They signed veteran nickel C.J. Gardner-Johnson and should get Darius Slay and James Bradberry back healthy, but there’s no doubt Philadelphia needs an infusion of top-end talent at cornerback. Wiggins has legendary speed (4.28-second time in the 40-yard dash) that shows up on tape in man coverage situations. He had two interceptions last season, and his combination of length, wheels and hustle would get him on the field early in Philly.”
  

  Wiggins again… People really love connecting him and the Eagles. That makes sense. He is not my favorite of the corners, but I won’t complain if he ends up in Midnight Green.

  Nate Wiggins. Strapped. pic.twitter.com/spcbav8Lee

  — Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 19, 2023

• Andrew DiCecco/ Inside The Birds- JC Latham-OT-Alabama,

  “He’ll start at right guard – a position at which he logged some snaps earlier in his career – before eventually pivoting to right tackle whenever stalwart and mainstay Lane Johnson decides to call it a career.”

  If they are going to take a lineman, this is the way to go. Latham can play right away, and eventually replace Lane. Dicecco joined the Fanatic and told us he would go OL in the 1st round, because there is more depth at corner, and he likes their chances to get a good corner later in the draft more than he likes their chances to get a O-Linemen. For what it’s worth, he has the Eagles taking Rutgers corner Max Melton in the 2nd round.

  PFF College on Twitter: "JC Latham has been DOMINANT this season🐘@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/OMQmH8n0eE / Twitter"

  JC Latham has been DOMINANT this season🐘@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/OMQmH8n0eE

• PFF: 1- Amarius Mims

  “Lane Johnson, 34, isn’t getting any younger and has dealt with injuries in three of the past five seasons. At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, Mims is raw but an impressive pass blocker, allowing just one pressure on 168 such snaps last year. A season of him developing behind Johnson should set up the Eagles’ offensive line nicely for the next several years.”

  Again, nothing against Mims the player. He could be a very good RT. But I hate redshirting a 1st round pick, for possibly 2 years. Especially when you have so many needs on defense. They don’t have the luxury of this type of pick.

  Daniel Griffis on Twitter: "Amarius Mims led all Tackles with his 99.4 Pass-Block Efficiency in 2023.The #Georgia OT allowed ZERO sacks and just two pressures on 168 Pass-Block snaps. pic.twitter.com/lZDkkZrWt0 / Twitter"

  Amarius Mims led all Tackles with his 99.4 Pass-Block Efficiency in 2023.The #Georgia OT allowed ZERO sacks and just two pressures on 168 Pass-Block snaps. pic.twitter.com/lZDkkZrWt0

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Author Bob Cooney and Dylan MacKinnon

Category:

• Eagles // NFL

Tags:

Eagles,Football,NFL