Every day leading up to the 2020 NFL draft, we’ll be taking a look at this draft class by position. We’ll highlight a few players who will fit the Eagles and separate them into three categories based on where they’re likely to get drafted.
We already looked at tight ends and receivers. Up today: Linebackers:
At No. 21
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Patrick Queen, LSU, 6-0, 229
The Eagles are unlikely to take a linebacker in the first round — they haven’t done that in 40 years — but Queen is probably worth a first-round pick. He was a starter just one full year at LSU but had a monster season with 85 tackles, 12 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups and a pick. He’s also super athletic as his performance from the combine backed up. And he doesn’t even turn 21 until August.
Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, 6-2, 241
Murray was a three-year starter for the Sooners and had 335 tackles in those three seasons. He had 17 TFLs in 2019! At 241 pounds, Murray ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, which gives him true sideline-to-sideline speed as a modern-day NFL linebacker. He can pretty much do it all, including thump inside and cover.
NFL
In the middle
Davion Taylor, Colorado, 6-0, 228
If the Eagles are looking for speed this offseason (and it seems like they have been), Taylor would fit. He ran a 4.49 at the combine and then shaved it down to a 4.39 at the CU pro day. Taylor has track speed but just two years of DI experience and began playing football late because of religious reasons. So he’s a high upside player who needs more developing.
Logan Wilson, Wyoming, 6-2, 241
As a four-year starter, Wilson will come to the NFL with a ton of experience. A very sure tackler, Wilson had over 100 tackles in each of his last three years and 421 in his four-year career. He also had 10 interceptions, including four in 2019. He’s a high-motor guy, which will appeal to the Eagles who could use someone who cleans up in the middle of the field.
Late-round sleeper(s)
Shaun Bradley, Temple, 6-0, 235
Bradley is a local product from South Jersey who went to Rancocas Valley High School and ended up as a three-year starter across the bridge. Bradley has plenty of athleticism and is fast enough; he posted an impressive 4.51 in Indianapolis. So at the very least, he could be a special teamer and perhaps grow into a role on defense. And he’s loved by the folks at Temple, where he was a leader on that defense.
Jacob Phillips, LSU, 6-3, 229
A two-year starter at LSU and actually led the Tigers in tackles in 2019 with 113. A lot of his production was probably a product of being in a great defense but he’s a sure tackler with great college experience. He’s not a tremendous athlete, so he might project as a two-down linebacker in the NFL, especially with the Eagles. But still worth a late-round pick or a call as an UDFA.
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