The college all-star games are now complete. Let's talk about some players who might be of interest to the Eagles.
The Eagles could throw us a curveball and go for an offensive lineman in the first round. Two candidates are Vlad Ducasse and Mike Iupati. Ducasse played left tackle for UMass. He has good size at 6-5 and 330 pounds. Ducasse has the footwork to play tackle in the NFL. He has the size and strength to play guard. He has good hand-punch, which is something the Eagles like in their blockers. Iupati is a guard that might be athletic enough to play on the outside, at least at right tackle. He has dominating potential. If the Eagles don't think Stacy Andrews is the answer, either of these guys could be taken to fill the hole at right guard. Down the road they could move to tackle.
Koa Misi played defensive end for Utah this year, but projects to linebacker in the NFL. He played mostly linebacker at the Senior Bowl and showed good potential. He didn't look uncomfortable playing out in space. Misi is a physical player and has a great motor. If we decide to go for another SAM linebacker in the draft, Misi could be a prospect.
The Eagles might look to add a running back. If so, Ben Tate is a guy that I think fits really well. Tate is a good blocker, receiver and runner. He's only a mid-round target and that makes sense value-wise. LeSean McCoy is the long-term starter. I don't know that the team will want to spend an early pick on another back. Tate isn't explosive. He's not huge. He does have pretty good size and I like the fact that he's a north-south runner.
If the team decides to go for a blocker outside the first round, Jared Veldheer of Hillsdale should definitely a name to remember. He is huge at 6-8 and 321 pounds. He played in the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game on Saturday and impressed me. Veldheer has good feet. He looked like someone who can play tackle in the NFL. I don't know that he's good enough to make it into the second round, but he is reportedly a real good athlete. If he has a strong workout at the Combine, that could make him a top 60-pick. I think Veldheer is a better prospect than our own Todd Herremans. I project Veldheer in the third round at this point.
We've talked about some big names at defensive end so far this off-season. One player I've liked all year is E.J. Wilson of UNC. He also played in the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game. Wilson had a pair of sacks. He just missed a third. He pressured the quarterback into a fumble on another play and recovered the ball. You could say he had a good game. Wilson is 6-2 and 280 pounds. That is good size for a left end. He isn't a great pass rusher. Wilson only had 12 sacks in his career. He is a disruptive player. He had 29 tackles-for-loss. Wilson has a variety of moves that he uses to beat blockers. He uses his hands well. He is also an effort player. I'd love to see the Eagles spend a pick on Wilson as someone to compete at left end.
One final guy to mention from the Texas all-star game is quarterback Levi Brown. He played in the spread offense at Troy. You always wonder how those guys will handle the move to the pro style offense. Brown was only 4-of-7 in the game, but I was impressed with what I saw. He threw the ball well. He showed pro potential. Brown won't go early in the draft, but he could be a real interesting late-round target.
To read my thoughts on what the Eagles should do in free agency after watching the Saints best the Colts for the Super Bowl crown, click here for my Fan-Demonium column.
-- Posted by Tommy Lawlor, 3:15 p.m., February 9
