NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell joined Chris McPherson and Fran Duffy in studio for the entire episode of the Journey to the Draft podcast presented by AAA.
Cosell offered tremendous insight into each position and how it relates to the Eagles in the upcoming draft, but the most noteworthy comment came regarding the quarterback position. Last year, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were the top two picks in the NFL Draft. Cosell declared that Carson Wentz is better than both of them.
"If I had to compare this year's group, I think Wentz is more talented than either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota just in terms of traits. I think Carson Wentz is a high-level traits prospect," Cosell said.
If the Eagles were to entertain the notion of acquiring Wentz or Jared Goff, Cosell said that they will both be gone by the time Philadelphia is on the clock with the No. 8 pick. In fact, Cosell said that in talks with Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth, there is some in league circles who believe that Wentz and Goff will be selected one and two, respectively.
"Goff, I've wavered on, gone back and forth on. The more I've watched him ... I like Jared Goff, but I don't know if I would view him as a top two or three pick in the draft," Cosell said. "Now, that's in an ideal world. Every draft, we know how quarterbacks are viewed."
Also on the Journey to the Draft podcast presented by AAA:
Would Cosell select Ezekiel Elliott at No. 8 at 4:45
Other RB prospects who fit the Eagles at 7:30
How should the Eagles address the offensive line at 12:05
Jaylon Smith or Myles Jack? at 18:51
Pick 6 - Six players we're intrigued to see where they land at 22:45
Draft Mailbag at 35:20
Last year, Mychal Kendricks erased an uncertain future by signing a long-term contract extension. This season, he will have to adjust to a new coaching staff and defensive scheme led by coordinator Jim Schwartz.
"I've been with three coaches within four years. It's kind of crazy. I'm kind of numb to it all," Kendricks said on the Eagles Live podcast with Dave Spadaro. "It lets you know this is a business in and out. We're all renting space, literally. It is what it is, but I'm excited for the new coaching staff. I'm always excited to meet new people, make new connections, showcase my skills.
"I'm just kind of used to it now, and I don't know if it's a good thing to be used to. It's something that is the reality of the situation. It's something that I've dealt with and I've dealt with it pretty well. I just know I have to go in there and reprove myself all over again. And that's fine."
Kendricks began his career in 2012 as a 4-3 strongside linebacker. He moved inside when the Eagles transitioned to a 3-4 scheme one year later. Now, he'll move back to the outside in the 4-3, but is projected to work out of the weakside linebacker spot.
"I've been playing in the 3-4 for so long I kind of lost track of what that means to be in a 4-3, but I'm excited," Kendricks said. "It's football. It can't be that difficult. It can't be that different."
In his first four seasons, Kendricks registered 424 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Identified as a long-term piece on defense, Kendricks understands that while there is plenty of change that it's up to the players who have been in Philadelphia to set the tone.
"I think it's important to maintain culture and relationships between players. We know that the business side of things keeps players in and out of the locker room, but for the ones that are here, for the ones that have been here, we know what to expect," Kendricks said. "Being an Eagle comes with a certain price, it comes with a certain attitude, a certain expectation. I think it's up to us, the players that have been here, to facilitate and maintain that culture."
Also on the Eagles Live podcast with Dave Spadaro:
Three Questions with Rueben Randle at 5:40
Three Questions with Stefen Wisniewski at 7:40
Press Coverage with ESPN's Dan Graziano at 9:45
Upside is a highly important aspect for teams to think about when evaluating prospects, especially during this time of the year, and on the latest Eagle Eye in the Sky podcast, Fran Duffy and former offensive lineman Ross Tucker dove into that very subject.
During the conversation, one specific player came up because of his incredible growth over the years. He continued to get better and better as his career went on, reaching and surpassing what some believed would be his full potential.
Who is that player? Tucker's former teammate, current Eagle and future Hall of Fame left tackle Jason Peters.
"Peters is a great example and it would be one that I would bring up," Tucker said. "Yes, he was a 320-pound tight end that blocked a punt, returned it for a touchdown against the Bengals in December. I'll never forget that. The first half of that season, he was on the practice squad. Anybody could have gotten him. Then the second half of the season they bumped him up to the active roster and started to use him as a weapon. They actually had a package for him on offense. The issue though was, even through his second Training Camp, that mental aspect of playing (on the offensive line) did not come real naturally for him. There were enough mental errors that I remember thinking, 'I don't know how you could ever play this guy in a game. There are too many times where he's not blocking the guy he's supposed to block and that other guy who comes free is going to kill the quarterback.'
"I know Tom Donahoe at one time during that second Training Camp said to a teammate of mine, 'It might take another year, but he'll get it. He'll figure it out.' And, he did. They put him in the lineup at right tackle midway through that year, the '05 season, and he really never looked back. He's the most gifted offensive lineman I've ever played with by a lot. I thought he'd go on to have a nice career. I didn't know he'd go on to have this kind of a career, but he was not afraid to work."
Tucker went on to explain how important a player's work ethic is to his upside. Some players may have all the tools, but if they're not willing to put forth the effort, they'll never reach the level of play that some, like Peters, have accomplished.
Also On The Eagle Eye in the Sky podcast:
Chalk Talk with Ross Tucker at 1:33
Two-Technique at 19:58
Saturday Scouting on Nelson Agholor at 34:32
