Eagles draft buzz

With only three weeks and three days left until the draft, we have quite a few Eagles-related nuggets to get to.

If you missed it over the weekend, I put up a post about the Birds hosting McNeese State/Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson. And I also unveiled this year's list of Eagles draft visits and workouts.

There are a couple new names I just added to the list Monday morning (thanks to Twitter follower @EaglesNut for the links): Florida running back Chris Rainey and Georgia tight end Orson Charles.

Rainey (5-8, 180) told The Palm Beach Post a few weeks ago that he had a private workout scheduled with the Birds. In the interview, he compared himself to a smaller Percy Harvin. Rainey likely won't have a traditional position in the NFL, but he averaged 6.2 yards per carry in college and also had 69 receptions. He has experience as a return man too.

At the combine, Rainey ran a 4.45 40. According to NFL.com's scouting report, he could struggle in pass protection when used out of the backfield. Off the field, in September 2010, Rainey was arrested and charged with aggravated stalking for allegedly sending an ex-girlfriend a threatening text.

Rainey could fill a Chad Hall-type role in the Eagles' offense, and if Bobby April and the coaching staff like him as a returner, he could have added value. He projects as a mid-round pick.

Meanwhile, at his Pro Day, Charles told the Atlanta Journal Constitution he had a private workout scheduled with the Birds. Charles (6-2, 251) had 94 catches for 1,370 yards in three seasons with the Bulldogs, averaging a healthy 14.6 yards per reception. He chose not to run the 40 at the combine, telling the AJC he got a late start in training. At his Pro Day, Charles ran a 4.90 against the wind and a 4.75 with the wind.

The Eagles obviously have a starting tight in Brent Celek, who really played well in the final 10 games last season. Clay Harbor has improved and saw the field more in 2011, but the Eagles could definitely bring in a player or two to compete with him. Charles projects as a mid-round pick.

Earlier this offseason, the Eagles reportedly worked out rugby star Hayden Smith (6-6, 265). The National Football Post has Smith's story, but basically, he's 26 and trying to break into the league.

On Friday, before the Jason Peters news broke, I wrote about Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the possibility of the Eagles trading up in the first round. Tannehill told reporters last week at his Pro Day that the Birds were one of the teams holding a private workout with him.

This morning, SI.com's Peter King reports that the workout will take place today.

"I don't really know why,'' Tannehill told King. "I'll just get ready to throw for them and do my best."

As I wrote on Friday, it's highly unlikely that the Eagles would trade up to be in position to land Tannehill, but with reports having linked them to Robert Griffin III and Peyton Manning this offseason, I'm not ready to rule anything out.

Greg Cosell of NFL Films has been doing an outstanding job delivering draft nuggets on Twitter. He had some interesting things to say about several prospects who could interest the Eagles. Cosell compared defensive tackles Dontari Poe (Memphis) and Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State):

Asked about Cox v. Poe. Cox a much better prospect than Poe. Can play inside + outside at times. Much more versatile. Could be gone by 12.

Cox has been mocked to the Eagles quite a bit since they traded for DeMeco Ryans.

And Cosell on California linebacker Mychal Kendricks:

Asked about Kendricks. Field fast with sideline-to-sideline range. Explosive elements to his play. Run and chase LB with good blitz potential

Kendricks could be a second-round target for the Birds.

Cosell also says Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick has the skill set to be a corner, even though some are talking about him as a safety prospect. And Cosell's not high on Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, noting he's a limited passer with average arm strength. The Eagles will host Cousins for an official visit, according to a FoxSports.com report last week.

And finally, punter Donnie Jones had discussions with the Eagles before signing with the Texans, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Birds could be looking to bring in some competition for Chas Henry, who was OK in his rookie season.

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