Two years ago, the Eagles selected Halapoulivaati Vaitai in the fifth round out of TCU. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland developed him and Vaitai has started 16 regular-season games thus far. Vaitai was the starter at left tackle when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII.
The Eagles went back to the TCU well once again Saturday choosing Vaitai's former teammate Matt Pryor in the sixth round with the 206th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
"He helped me out in catching the ropes, being a freshman in college, making that transition especially coming from California and moving to a new state," Pryor said.
It looks like Vaitai is already helping Pryor make the move from the college level to the pro game. Vaitai has already spoken about what to expect in Philadelphia.
"I think having somebody there who I know already is going to help make the transition a little easier," he said.
An immense prospect at 6-7, 338 pounds with 11.5-inch hands, Pryor played in 47 games (32 starts) in his collegiate career. The majority of Pryor's playing time has been at right guard where he started 23 contests. However, he also has eight starts at right tackle and another at left guard.
"I feel as if once I get a clamp on somebody I'm pretty dominant," he said.
The Long Beach, California native was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2017 and earned an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He was not chosen to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine.
Take a look at the Eagles 2018 draft class.
The Eagles selected Dallas Goedert with the 49th overall pick.
Dallas Goedert caught 198 passes for 2,988 yards and 21 touchdowns during his career at South Dakota State.
Dallas Goedert.
Dallas Goedert scores a touchdown against TCU during a game on Sept. 3, 2016.
Dallas Goedert's best season at South Dalota State came in 2016 when he caught 92 passes for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Dallas Goedert running with the ball against Western Illinois.
Dallas Goedert catches a touchdown against Montana during a game on Nov. 28, 2015.
Dallas Goedert at the NFL Scouting Combine
Dallas Goedert.
The Eagles selected CB Avonte Maddox with the 125th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Avonte Maddox had eight career interceptions during his time at Pitt.
The former Pitt Panther recorded seven sacks during his college career, including four in 2017.
Maddox posted career highs in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (12) in 2015.
Avonte Maddox tallied 183 total tackles in college.
Avonte Maddox ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Maddox leaped 125 inches in the broad jump.
The Eagles selected Josh Sweat with the 130th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Josh Sweat played in at least 11 games in each of his three seasons at Florida State.
Sweat racked up 29 tackles for loss during his collegiate career, including 12.5 in 2017.
Sweat recorded 14.5 sacks while at FSU, including a career-high seven in 2016.
Josh Sweat recorded a time of 4.53 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The new Eagles DE did a vertical jump of 39.5 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Eagles selected Matt Pryor (64) with the 206th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Matt Pryor (64) was named Second Team All-Big 12 by the head coaches and Associated Press in 2016 and 2017.
Pryor (64) started all 13 games at right guard as a junior in 2016.
Pryor (64) made five starts during his sophomore season at TCU.
The Eagles selected Jordan Mailata with the 233rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
