Eagles reportedly to host LSU DT Brockers
With the draft just about a month away, now is the time for teams to host specific prospects at their facilities.
Eagles reportedly to host LSU DT Brockers
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
With the draft just about a month away, now is the time for teams to host specific prospects at their facilities.
As it's been explained to me, teams are allowed to have 30 prospects in for official visits. However, there are no restrictions on sending scouts or coaches to visit schools or prospects' home towns to work them out. And teams can have Local Days for players that are within the suburban area of the facility.
Every year, I keep track of the reported draft workouts and visits. And I'll do so again this year. Look for that post later this week.
It's important not to read too much into these visits. They are just another part of the process, as teams do their due diligence before deciding which players to select in late April.
But to say the draft visits have no significance at all is not accurate. Last year, players like Jason Kelce, Curtis Marsh, Casey Matthews and Brian Rolle all were linked to the Eagles in one way or another before they were drafted.
Keeping all that in mind, a couple of these reported visits have started to trickle in (credit to Bleeding Green Nation for first linking them).
LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers (6-5, 322) has 11 visits scheduled, including one with the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock has Brockers ranked as his third-best defensive tackle.
And in his latest mock draft, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper has the Eagles taking Brockers at No. 15:
No team was softer up the middle than Philly in 2011, and in Brockers the Eagles get a big, active player who can both take up blocks and penetrate. He weighed in at 322 pounds at the NFL combine, heavier than I've ever had him listed, but I don't see him as a prototype 3-4 nose tackle. My guess is he'll play a little lighter once he gets into camp, and the Eagles will benefit, particularly against the run. This is like a baseball team -- they need to build out the middle of the field on defense.
Last week, I rounded up some mock drafts and gave my take on which positions make sense for the Eagles to focus on. The middle of the Eagles' defense was soft in the back end last year, but the defensive tackles played very well. However, it could still make sense for the Birds to draft a DT, play him as a rotational player in 2012 and project him as a starter the following year. If he's especially effective as a rookie, he can take snaps away from one of the veterans (Mike Patterson or Cullen Jenkins).
Tommy Lawlor over at Iggles Blitz doesn't see Brockers as a fit for Jim Washburn's system and projects him as more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will also take a look at Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson, according to Wilson. Johnson (6-2, 204) has good size for a corner. He ran a 4.61 40 at the combine. Before that, Mayock had Johnson listed as his No. 4 cornerback prospect, but he's since dropped him out of his top five.
As Wilson explains, Johnson was arrested last October for obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was tased with a stun gun.
Going back to my Friday post, I would not be surprised to see the Eagles draft a cornerback early. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is signed only through 2012, Asante Samuel will likely be traded this offseason, and Nnamdi Asomugha turns 31 in July.
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6'5 and 322! Heck, I'd draft him even if he can't play.— Geno D
Comment removed.- Don't taze me, Howie!— jeffrey215
- Isn't a big run stuffer in the middle exactly what the Eagles need?— Penfold18
- yes, along with two starting linebackers and two starting safeties. — coloradoeagle
- Draft Johnson, Vonty Burfict and sign Plax.....we need more character players....we need leaders!— Romus
- Put the fat kid in the middle to stop the run and rush the other 3 linemen and Ryans.— ej610
- lmao@romus im hoping thats a sarcastic suggestion..i say pick barron safety or if kuechly is available still pick him..something tells me they are going to trade out of the round..they didnt do it last year or the year before so they are due.— bigjay215
- We need a high motor, fast ball, undersized, get up the field kind of player; that can be molded in to a hybrid defensive lineman / safety. Kind of Ninja Football player; Andy and Howie did it on the Xbox and it worked perfectly. They are revolutionizing the game!— CrashTestCorzine
- I think and hope they trade down to later in the 1st round if the player they really want isn't there. Pick up an extra 1st rounder for next year and then use those two 1st rounders to trade up and draft the future QB if need be, but I think that's the smartest option at this point because none of the picks they need will be worth the 15th selection in the draft— cjh136
- apparently dre kirkpatric can play safety...id look into that if i were the eagles— HDemetriou
- What Dre Kirkpatrick CAN do is play slot receivers, something the Eagles had major problems with this year...Super player from Day 1 at Bama...well coached and physical...Wouldn't be available at 15 for not his weed possession gaffe...Good name. — bearsfriend
- Oh boy, another Bunkley— Ace-Philadelphia
- Maybe trade down 5 or 6 spots, pick up the 4th rounder that they traded for Ryans, and then pick up Safety Mark Barron. The Birds were weak in the middle last year, which hurt with the Wide-9. They addressed the Middle LB position, but are still weak at Safety.— Bobphxville
- Bob, you're doing your homework...Safeties don't generally go that high...and Barron is exactly what the Eagles need...I say third time is a charm...It's either Barron or Harrison Smith, after that...the future is Allen or Jarrett...Can't go there. — bearsfriend
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