Save this post, No 20/20 Eagles Draft Hindsight allowed

Author John Kincade

April 28th 10:19 AM

We put a bow on the 2024 Eagles Draft yesterday evening and by almost every review metric available, they had one of the best weekends in the NFL. What’s important now is to take a stand and stay true to your convictions. If you are not a fan of this Eagles draft or in particular one or two of the choices, speak now or forever hold your peace! I’ll get it started and I would welcome your input.

No, we can’t wait till three seasons out to have an opinion on Eagles draft picks. It is important to look back and admit where our analysis was off base though!

Here Are My Current Thoughts On The Eagles Draft

Love me some Quinyon Mitchell

Great value, great athlete, superior selection. I’m still dumbfounded that it happened.

Can’t believe that they landed Cooper DeJean for so many reasons 

I didn’t expect DeJean to be there at 40 and I also didn’t think the Eagles would double up with their first 2 picks in the secondary. I fully endorse this move and am thrilled they shocked us all.

Count me as a “not very informed” Jaylex Hunt skeptic 

I don’t know much about him, but I’m always skeptical of the guy coming out of nowhere to climb draft boards. Develop him and be patient.

I can’t wait to see Will Shipley behind this offensive line 

Count me as one who couldn’t believe that Shipley lasted until the 4th round. He’s smart (a 4.0 degree earner in six semesters at Clemson is impressive) and can run between the tackles or take it around the edge. It really means to me that Kenny Gainwell will get the wheels broken off of him this year and a new contract won’t be coming. Love the pick!

Ainias Smith might be the “steal” of the whole class

I enjoy watching SEC Football and if you watched Texas A&M games you saw flashes of brilliance from Smith with the ball in his hands. He’s a dynamic playmaker from the slot and can be used on special teams as a return man. I don’t know much about his blocking ability, but he can be electric in space.

Trotter Jr. was drafted at the perfect spot for a low-risk, feel-good story

When I heard people calling for a Trotter Jr. pick on Friday I cringed. He is a nice player, but not nearly as decorated or skilled as a guy they already have in Nakobe Dean. A third-day selection in Round 5 was perfect value. Over-drafting a player because of his last name would have been dumb.

Trevor Keegan just looks like an Eagle 

If Central Casting needed to pick an Eagles offensive lineman, he fits the part. I can’t tell you I’ve ever focused on his play, but I love the run-heavy system he played in and he scores out as a value selection.

Watch Kincade & Salciunas on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page for discussion about the latest breaking sports news in Philadelphia.

Eagles 2024 UDFA Tracker: Can They Find A Diamond In The Rough?

• Rb-Kendall Milton- Georgia

  We knew they would get a Georgia guy somewhere. They didn’t take any in the actual draft, but the first UDFA to land here is a Bulldog.

  Milton was semi-productive at Georgia. What hurt him was the complete lack of production through the air. But he had an eye for the endzone on the ground, racking up 14 TDs.

  Being one-dimensional will hurt his chances of making the final roster though in a crowded backfield. Two RB spots are locked in, and as a 4th round pick, Will Shipley is a near lock too. Maybe they keep 4, though there is no guarantee of that. It will be an uphill battle for him to earn that spot.

  Philadelphia Eagles Central on Twitter: "The #Eagles are signing Georgia RB Kendall Milton as an UDFA, per @DawgNation. pic.twitter.com/LBO4kTnbXP / Twitter"

  The #Eagles are signing Georgia RB Kendall Milton as an UDFA, per @DawgNation. pic.twitter.com/LBO4kTnbXP

• S- Andre' Sam- LSU

  We know the Eagles love shopping in the SEC for DBs that fall out of the draft. Eli Rcks, Mekhi Garner, Josh Jobe, Mario Goodrich, are just a few of the Bama otr LSU DBs that have signed with the Eagles the past few years as a UDFA. Two, Ricks and Jobe, even got decent playing time last year.

  They gave Sam a decent signing bonus to come to Philly, so clearly they like him. And Safety might be one of the bets ways for any UDFA to get onto the roster given the lack of depth there.

  He comes in with a lot of experience, playing over 1,400 snaps at Safety in college and 600 at Slot Corner already between McNeese State and LSU. That type of experience, and the production he had, 11 straight weeks in 2023 without allowed a TD, makes him a decent candidate to make the final cut.

  Tom Pelissero on Twitter: "Former LSU safety Andre Sam is signing with the #Eagles on a deal that includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $150,000 salary guarantee, per source. / Twitter"

  Former LSU safety Andre Sam is signing with the #Eagles on a deal that includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $150,000 salary guarantee, per source.

• DT- Gabe Hall- Baylor

  Hall is big, and has the tools, but the production was never there in college. Super high upside is kind of what you want in a UDFA though. There is no risk there apart from wasting Jeff Lurie’s money. If he comes in, and gives you nothing, you just cut him and it doesn’t hurt the team at all. But if your coaches can unlock Hall’s tools, you might have something.

  There might be some space at the very back of the DT rotation for someone to sneak on the roster. Apart from Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams, no one else is a lock.

  Ryan Talbot on Twitter: "#Baylor DT Gabe Hall is joining the #Eagles as an UDFA, per source. Good get for Philadelphia. / Twitter"

  Baylor DT Gabe Hall is joining the #Eagles as an UDFA, per source. Good get for Philadelphia.

• WR- Talik Keaton- Marshall

  Talik Keaton was not a productive WR at Marshall. In 5 seasons, his single-season high in yards was 268 yards. It would be hard to see him being any more productive in the NFl. But what he did do well in College was return punts and kicks. And with the new kickoff rules, there will be chances for people to make the roster solely as a kick returner. He has heavy competition for that role though.

  I would be shocked if Keaton cracked the roster. Even as a return man.

  Terry Meyers on Twitter: "Former Marshall WR Talik Keaton is signing with #Eagles as an undrafted free agent, source says. / Twitter"

  Former Marshall WR Talik Keaton is signing with #Eagles as an undrafted free agent, source says.

• TE- McCallan Castles- Tennessee

  The 5th year TE spent his final college year at Tennessee, but before that spent 3 at UC Davis, and 1 at Cal. He never racked up many yards, but he did have a nose for the endzone. 5 TDs last season, and 14 total over the last 4 years. They need help at TE, but I have a hard time seeing him beat out Albert O or C.J. Uzomah for a spot.

  .@McCallanCastles is heading to the @Eagles! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Kymy9Xy1Xf

  — Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) April 27, 2024

• OT- Anim Dankwah

  Cankwah is a mssive human being. 6ft8, 353 lbs. That type of size can play. It did not always translate in great play at Howard though. He gave up at least 3 sacks every year in college. But get a guy with tools in, let Jeff Stoutland work his magic, and see what happens. He is so far the only OT they added during the draft.

  Anthony DiBona on Twitter: "Howard OL Anim Dankwah is reportedly signing with the Eagles as an UDFA.Dankwah is 6'8", 353 pounds with 35 1/8" arms. The Canadian was a standout left tackle for Howard.Eagles OL coach Jeff Stoutland likely can't wait to get his hands on Dankwah, given his rare size. pic.twitter.com/0Yxy6O9ZFa / Twitter"

  Howard OL Anim Dankwah is reportedly signing with the Eagles as an UDFA.Dankwah is 6'8", 353 pounds with 35 1/8" arms. The Canadian was a standout left tackle for Howard.Eagles OL coach Jeff Stoutland likely can't wait to get his hands on Dankwah, given his rare size. pic.twitter.com/0Yxy6O9ZFa

• Mini-Camp Invitee- WR- Praise Olatoke- International Pathway

  Olatoke is not an official UDFA, and will not count against the 90-man roster. But the Eagles are inviting him to mini-camp. if they like what they see, he may get a contract and make it to training camp. Like Devon Allen, he is a track and field star, and played for the Ohio State Football VClub (not the actual Ohio State team).

  The 6ft2 Wr ran a 4.36 40 at the IPP Pro Day. It is hard to see him making the roster yet. But maybe he makes it to training camp, then gets stashed on the Practice Squad for a bit. It is an interesting story to say the least, we will see if it goes anywhere.

  NFL UK & Ireland on Twitter: ""I feel in my bones I can do it" 😤Scottish-Nigerian wide receiver Praise Olatoke's NFL IPP journey is just getting started! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/dH7k71HXTg / Twitter"

  "I feel in my bones I can do it" 😤Scottish-Nigerian wide receiver Praise Olatoke's NFL IPP journey is just getting started! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/dH7k71HXTg

• Mini Camp Invitee- LB- Jacob Roberts

  Another rookie camp invitee. Jacob Roberts is an impressive athlete, who drew some eyeballs at his Pro Day. he was fairly productive in college too, with 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Even if he does manage to turn the rookie camp invitation into a 90-man roster spot though, it’s an uphill battle to make the team. LB is suddenly deep, though lacking top end talent. He would have to really stand out to get a shot.

  Mike Kaye on Twitter: "Wake Forest LB Jacob Roberts has been invited to #Eagles rookie camp, per league source. He had an impressive pro day last month. pic.twitter.com/Oh889KApHp / Twitter"

  Wake Forest LB Jacob Roberts has been invited to #Eagles rookie camp, per league source. He had an impressive pro day last month. pic.twitter.com/Oh889KApHp

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Author John Kincade

Category:

• Eagles // NFL

Tags:

Eagles,NFL Draft,Philadelphia Eagles