According to a report from NFL.com's Mike Huguenin, the Eagles have welcomed USC interior lineman Marcus Martin to the NovaCare Complex for a pre-draft visit.
At 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Martin is considered to be one of the top centers available in the draft. In fact, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock has Martin ranked at the top of the position group. Earlier this offseason, the Eagles signed center Jason Kelce to a new seven-year contract, which may make a visit with Martin seem like an interesting decision, but it's important to keep in mind Martin's versatility. He played his entire junior season (his last with the Trojans) as the team's starting center, but he started at guard for each of his first two collegiate seasons.
A knee injury kept Martin out of USC's Las Vegas Bowl meeting with Fresno State, but he showed no ill effects at USC's pro day on March 12, according to the report.
Meanwhile, if the Eagles are looking to bolster the pass-rushing department, Florida's Ronald Powell could be an option, and according to Philly.com's Jimmy Kempski, the Eagles do have interest.
According to a source, the #Eagles have high interest in Florida OLB Ronald Powell, who was Rivals. com's #1 overall H.S. prospect in 2010. — Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 14, 2014
An outside linebacker measuring 6-foot-33, 237 pounds, Powell was Rivals.com's No. 1 overall high school recruit in 2010. Powell had a productive career with the Gators, but a torn ACL in the spring of 2012 forced him to miss his entire junior season. He came back in 2013, registering 4.0 sacks, but it was apparent that he was still recovering from the surgery.
Powell is considered by most to be a mid-round pick, but his size and athleticism could make him a hot commodity for any team on the clock. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Powell ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, tying him with Khalil Mack for the fourth-fastest time of any linebacker.
