Eagles check out more prospects

The Eagles continue to do their homework on this year's quarterback prospects. They worked out Arizona's Nick Foles earlier this week, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.

Foles (6-5, 243) is not considered a top-five quarterback by NFL Network's Mike Mayock or ESPN's Mel Kiper. He projects as a second- or third-round pick. Here's what Greg Cosell of NFL Films had to say about Foles recently:

Arm speed slow at this point. Negative impact on velocity. Did not drive the ball on few intermediate throws or sideline throws.

Once in a while saw an NFL throw with anticipation + some snap. Major projection based on skill set evaluation + mental acumen.

As we know by now, the Eagles always do their homework on quarterbacks. They had been linked to Peyton Manning and Robert Griffin III earlier this offseason. And last year, they were linked in some capacity to prospects Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, Jake Locker, Greg McElroy, Tyrod Taylor and T.J. Yates. Of course, they didn't end up drafting a quarterback.

Meanwhile, Georgia center Ben Jones is expected to visit the Eagles later this month, according to Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com.

Jones (6-2, 303) started 49 games for the Bulldogs in four seasons.

Projections for where he'll be drafted vary. Caplan pegs him as a second-round pick, while NFL.com has Jones as a sixth-rounder. The Eagles drafted Jason Kelce in the sixth round of last year's draft, and he started all 16 games as a rookie.

The Birds could take a flier on a backup center in the sixth or seventh round, but it doesn't make sense to pick one before then.

And finally, they've conducted a private workout with Iowa defensive back/return specialist Jordan Bernstine, according to Wilson. Bernstine (5-10, 211) was not invited to the combine, but Chad Reuter of NFL.com thinks he could be a late-round pick:

Bernstine made an impression with big hits in the secondary his first year as a starter last fall, and he turned heads with an excellent pro day: 4.45-4.48 40-yard dashes, 41-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-7 broad jump, 4.31 short shuttle, 6.98 three-cone drill and 18 bench-press reps.

SI.com's Tony Pauline seems to agree:

With all the star power at the Iowa pro day, it was easy to overlook Jordan Bernstine, the Hawkeyes' starting safety in 2011. But after his workout on Monday, scouts won't forget him anytime soon. Bernstine posted gaudy numbers, running his 40 as fast as 4.34 seconds, timing 6.75 seconds in the three-cone run as well as posting marks of 41 inches in the vertical jump and 18 reps on the bench. Still rough around the edges, teams feel Bernstine may finally be turning the corner in his football career.

Bernstine averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return last season. He battled injuries through much of his career before finally getting healthy in 2011 and starting 11 games.

At this point, Bernstine looks like a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. The Eagles need to find a kickoff returner after getting pretty much nothing from that aspect of special teams last season. One thing to keep in mind here: Juan Castillo's son, Greg, is a defensive back at Iowa, so the Birds' defensive coordinator is likely familiar with Bernstine's abilities.

Here is an article from The Gazette in Iowa about Bernstine's injury issues with the Hawkeyes.

And be sure to check out my master list of Eagles draft visits and workouts.

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