At one of the best games from a prospect perspective on college football's opening night, we will get an up-close look at two of the top draft-eligible prospects listed on my preseason top-25 big board, Rutgers junior wide receiver Brandon Coleman and Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr.
The Eagles are expected to be one of six teams represented when Rutgers squares off tonight against Fresno State (10:30/ESPNU).
Coleman, ranked 20th overall on my big board, stands at an imposing 6-foot-6, 220 pounds and showcased his incredible skill set last season when he hauled in 43 receptions for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns. A match-up nightmare for the opposition, Coleman uses his size and athleticism to his advantage and possesses a second gear after the catch that makes him dangerous in space and hard to defend. He's the perfect, big, athletic, perimeter play-maker that would thrive in Chip Kelly's system.
Looking toward the future, the Eagles' wide receiver situation is uncertain outside of DeSean Jackson. The torn ACL that Jeremy Maclin suffered during training camp has clouded his future with the team, and the other receivers on the roster must prove their worth this season. With that said, drafting a top-flight receiver early in the 2014 draft should be a priority, and if Coleman has another outstanding season and declares for the draft, he could very well be a strong candidate as a possible selection.
While Coleman could be a nice fit for the Eagles, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Carr, currently rated 18th overall on my big board after a breakout junior campaign in which he completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,104 yards, 37 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, is unlikely to be a target. The Eagles already have two QBs who play his style in Nick Foles and Matt Barkley.
A few other offensive prospects to keep an eye on in this contest are Fresno State tight end Marcel Jensen and offensive tackle Austin Wentworth and Rutgers offensive guard Antwan Lowery.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles are still searching for a difference-maker at safety, and they will get a good look at two very promising defensive backs in Fresno State strong safety Derron Smith and Rutgers free safety Jeremy Deering.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Smith, who played in just three games in 2011 and was forced to red shirt after suffering a broken arm, had a breakout sophomore season in 2012, when he collected 79 tackles and six interceptions. He is one of the top free safeties in the nation, and, if he declares for the draft, he should receive second- or third-round consideration.
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Deering is an intriguing, athletic and versatile prospect who this season will make the move from running back and wide receiver to free safety. There's no denying Deering's skill set. He has explosive ability and good ball-skills, but scouts will look at him very closely to see how he translates to the other side of the ball and handles a new assignment.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.