Dontari Poe visits Eagles
Demetress Bell wasn't the only stranger getting a welcome from the Eagles on Thursday. The Birds were also hosting Dontari Poe, considered by some draft analysts to be the top defensive tackle prospect in this year's draft.
Dontari Poe visits Eagles
Jeff McLane
(Dave Martin/AP Photo)
Demetress Bell wasn't the only stranger getting a welcome from the Eagles on Thursday.
The Birds were also hosting Dontari Poe, considered by some draft analysts to be the top defensive tackle prospect in this year's draft.
The Memphis product was spotted walking the NovaCare Complex corridors with Jim Washburn. The defensive line coach started to turn away when he saw a group of reporters, but ended up walking by the group and introducing Poe.
"Y'all know Fletcher Cox," Washburn joked.
Cox, from Mississippi State, is also rated as one of the top defensive tackles in this year's pool of draftees.
The 6-foot-3, 346-pound Poe wowed scouts at the combine in Indianapolis when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds. He also impressed with his strength, squatting 700 pounds and bench-pressing 225 pounds a combine-best 44 times.
His tape, though, does not sparkle, according to some analysts. He didn't always transfer his athletic ability onto the field and sometimes took plays off. Still, many expect Poe to go in the first round. The Eagles hold the 15th overall pick.
They also reportedly hosted LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers recently. Each NFL team is permitted 30 visits from prospects outside their area.
Comments (60)
My recommendation to the Eagles...trade this pick to move back in the draft...later in the 1st round...possibly grab a late 1 and a 2nd or 3rd round pick...Select Devon Still at DT out of Penn State. If he isn't a star, he will translate into a very good DT in the NFL....— feudal_nobility09- Poe has a great attitude and the raw physical skills that any D-Line coach would like to shape. The kid doesn’t have to start day one; the Eagles already have a nice rotation, so bring him in if he falls to 15. Cox is also a stud, seems like he has a better motor up field, but tape isn’t all that scouts look at. Home life, coach ability and skill set are just a few of the outliers they’ll be using to judge these folks with.
Just happy they’ve started to bring in interior D lineman. Stop the run before it gets started!
— Laughingaloud123 - blaqjaq: I'm not a Penn State fan. I don't even like college football. I like Devon Still because of his film. Still was definitely better than Poe was last year. Mayock may not like Still that much, but lots of other analysts do. No one really knows anyway.— p-diddy
- lockyer is 100% correct (Though I wish he/she was wrong)— Sports4Life
Glad to see the Eagles are at least considering a big bodied D tackle. I'll leave it to Washburn to decide if he can make anything out of the guy. They need to get some push on the pocket. I'd like to see more tackles for loss this season.- I think it's a chess game between the Eagles and the Cowboys who also have expressed interest in Poe. I think the Eagles may really want Brockers, but so may the Cowboys who may be using their interest in Poe as a smokescreen. The Eagles will probably move up to number 11 to checkmate the Cowboys. word is out the Chiefs are looking to trade down.— essell
- You are correct,if a player doe not perform at peak level and play in top conferences then do not draft.But there are some good players in smaller conference schools,but not many.— Andrew Grier
- YO ! what about P. BURRESS, WIDE RECEIVER ?
— frank castle - This is SMOKESCREEN folks! Eagles Nation, JUST Relax, they are trying to throw OFF us KNOW it alls and there are a lot of them on this particular comment post. Never seen so many morons who resemble CHICKEN LIITLE, who famously once said the sky was falling The Eagles KNOW what they are doing come DRAFT DAY!— dudega
- Don't worry the Eagles are not gonna draft Poe. This is the scenario draft day trust me. 1st pick Mark Barron SS. 2nd Devon Still DT 2nd Zach Brown OLB. Trade the Asante Pick and a 4th to move back into the later end of the 2nd and grab Gilmore or Stephen Hill the WR from Georgia Tech.— HonestJ
- Birds ain't taking Poe -- too big and too strong and does not fit in with Andy's puss "let's throw some fastballs at em" defensive scheme. For you see Andy does not believe in intimidation and violence and dominating the line of scrimmage but rahter he believes in trickery and quickness. What a wimpy defensive approach and no wonder he has not won any Super bowls nor had any dominating defenses.— uts
- I swear I get dumber just by reading some of these posts. Hey Penn State lovers, Devon Still is projected to be picked in the SECOND round. So lets not spend the #15 pick on him, ok?— blaqjaq
- Bunkley wasn't a bust. He's a solid DT, but not a pass rusher. I think Devon Still looks like the best DT in the draft, but Poe would be an interesting pick. He's 346lbs. and nimble, how bad can he be? People are always complaining about underszed players. Well, here's a massive DT.— p-diddy
- Poe takes 80% of plays off; will be a great part time player even when playing full time!!!! Just another in a long line of wasted draft picks!— JBinPA
- He's better suited to a 3-4.— 4thand10
- you guys can argue all you want. Gimme Poe. He's 350 pounds of clogging the middle. We need a BIG SOB that can clog the middle of the field and allow our new Linebacker to make the kill. No more 295 pound D tackles.— Hatfield_ham
- Yeah, Bunkley was huge and impressive outta college too and we know how that turned out...no thanks, gimme Cox. Wait a sec. that didn't come out right, draft Fletcher C. at 15— cheesesteak0
- Well, this defense often had to run 40 yards to stop a running play so I see the value in checking their times.— burholme
- Poe fits as an Eagle because he's a workout warrior. Doesn't fit because he's a full-sized beast on the defensive line. If they take a guy this big in round one, they believe he can play lights out.— armchairGM
- Jim Washburn gets the best out of physical talent. Ability wise the kid reminds me of Albert Haynesworth. And Washburn turned Haynesworth into a unblockable menace for Tennessee. Poe can be a great player under the right teacher. And I think He would be a better option than just a average talent guy that plays with a high motor. Let it ride.— Zeru
- "Can anybody remember the last Eagles first round choice that anybody liked?" I think Jeremy Maclin is a really good player and I liked it when they traded up to get him. I really liked Graham as well thought he played big in big games (went nuts again OSU) and was a first round talent. I didn't like that he was severely injured and is struggling to get back to full tilt.
— Murrayman - We sure do need a stud DT run stopper....but this guy played soft in college and was a Mamula combine phenom......dam shame....unless they are sure he is not a mental midget, a soft unmoviated stooge, pass him by....this could be a big success or a collasal failure....and he sounds like a combine phenom and that is all...........— nuggett
- Can anybody remember the last Eagles first round choice that anybody liked?— jerseyshorefan
- Cox please
— blueye7 - His only sack this year was against Austin Peay....now THAT is impressive!— Witz79
- Chill out, we'll all know at the same time, it doesn't matter a lick what we think! Just sayin'...— DJ
- People are putting his lack of game film squarely on his lack of talent. No one knows if it was the scheme in college, or poor coaching, that had an effect. Not saying it did, but I can tell you, there's alot of bad coaching in college. At least Washburn would have something to work with, although I truly believe Cox will be their guy.— beegal99
- Quoth the raven: Nevermore! (Poe)— Rabe56
- On one hand, taking a project like Poe could be a great idea considering that Washburn seems to do miracles with D-linemen. On the other hand, why take on a project if a proven performer like Still or Brockers are available?
I think the team could overthink this process and take Poe, guarding against him being the next Jason Pierre-Paul, another mysterious D-lineman who posted great combine numbers and actually panned out.— MrMiles1 - PSU...Devon Still,1st Rd..... D'Anton Lynn,CB,6th Rd.....Nate Stupar,LB,7th Rd. Chaz Powell...UFA.— Romus
- What's wrong, you don't like Jack Crawford?...That's the Nit they do take in Round 5. — bearsfriend
- Actually Poe's speed and agility makes him a fit for the wide nine. Just like Jason Peters size doesn't fit the prototypical Howard Mudd O-line philosophy but his physical athletic ability does, same with Poe. I just hope the Eagles do not mess the pick up.— Eaglehaslanded
- I get what ur saying but the fact remains he did NOTHING vs conference usa competition.hes a bust at 15.u take blue chips@ 15 not projects. — Sean s.
- The coaches make the players through teaching, motivating and guidance. If Poe is the pick, all past performances are erased and he starts with a clean slate under Reid, Castillo and Washburn. Get the best guy you can and at 346 lbs, this guys should stop runners at the line.— billtfla
Comment removed.- Whoever they don't bring in is the guy they're targeting. They didn't show any interest in Graham last year.— ej610
- If he was a 250# DE I'd be worried the Eagles fell in love with the combine numbers, but he's not. Don't worry...the Eagles aren't going to draft him. He doesn't fit their precious scheme or philosophy. Some team that runs a 3-4 where he just has to take up space will draft him.
If Fletcher Cox is there at 15, he's the pick. - Draft FOOTBALL PLAYERS not workout stars!— JBP
- Cox or Brockers.— IdahoMoose
- Cox or Brockers.— IdahoMoose
- Nevermore.— jimmymack
- Its frustrating that we can tell from a mile away.. this guy is gonna be a bust and the professionals making 6 and 7 figures .. cant..
If his game tape, against Conference USA talent mind you.. wasnt the best.. what makes you think he can play with the big boys in the NFL ?? Good luck with this one ..— favuono - We do not need to draft a QB in an early round. Nor should the pick be Poe.— bigphilly12
- Jason-Pierre Paul had the WORST bench press score in his class and was behind Teo'Neishem on a lot of agility drills: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/combine?id=25733&_slug_=jason-pierre-paul&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft%2fplayer%2fcombine%3fid%3d25733%26_slug_%3djason-pierre-paul
— Leegles - JPP is a freak track athlete...Poe is a DT, and is a freak as well...Not just his 40 time, but his 10 yard dash was at 1.82, just scary for a 346 lb body. Unless he's an attitude problem (and 44 reps at 225 MEANS he works), some coach has ALOT to work with there...Again, a better fit as a 3-4 NT. — bearsfriend
- Should this story been about a future high draft pick for an Eastern European Weight Lifting League (EEWLL), then this story would have weight to it. Since it's not, I would strongly advocate our GM scout the best "football" player available.
Our team has long been burned by these frauds who put all of their chips in the NFL combines and these snapshot visits to teams, selling the football staff on their ability to do the clean and jerk and running a fast 40 without some man-monster trying to beat the living brains out of you while running said dash!
And besides, with a last name like Poe, there is only one NFL team that he should be allowed to play for. And please, just what is a Dontari, anyway?— DelawareRiverRat - @ — Lockyer
I sure hope you're right! that's the one piece missing! - Vick will be Vick and most likely wont finish the season playing all 16 games. 1pk needs to be a QB for next year!— osi is hurt boohoo - It isn't misdirection, it's due diligence. Picking fifteenth, they won't really know who is still going to be available until they're on the clock. If some highly rated guy is unexpectedly available, they had better know a lot about him.— Section 730
- They should be judging players future potential based upon two things only: 1) on the field college performance and 2) level of college competition. If they did not excel there, I dont care what happened at the combine, they probably will not excel in the NFL. Some guys can just play - irrespective of their speed, strength, etc.— Bobphxville
- Comment removed.
- Me thinks the Eagles take Fletcher Cox if he's there at 15.That kid will be a leader somewhere DAY 1. — bearsfriend
- Mamula, Bunkley, Poe. Just get the guy who plays the best football, who cares how fast a DT runs the 40. I'd rather judge by past performance in GAMES.— PhillySportsFix.com
- I still think they pick a QB early. Everything else is misdirection.— Lockyer
- Bunkley— osi is hurt boohoo
- Are you serious? This kid is 50 lbs heavier, and has arms like tree trunks...he WILL NOT be there at 15, and he will probably be better suited as a nose tackle in a 3-4...but he's a serious prospect. — bearsfriend
- I swear ill blow my brains out if they take a overated guy who doesnt fit our scheme.why ignore 3years of mediocrity because the guy ran a few tenths of a second faster in a forty yd dash.if our dts ever run forty yds we have bigger problems than we thought— Sean s.
- You are Safe. No Way in Hell the take Poe.It's not possible is it Andy?Please Say No and I'll owe you a cheesesteak. (HTML deleted) — dmanphilly
- You are Safe. No Way in Hell the take Poe.
It's not possible is it Andy?
Please Say No and I'll owe you a cheesesteak.
— dmanphilly - Didn’t Buckley “impress” with his bench presses and brut strength??? He didn’t exactly pan out as hoped!— osi is hurt boohoo
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MORE MAMULAS OR GUYS THAT ONLY PLAY 15 SNAPS PER GAME IN THE 1ST ROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— FABER
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