Why in the world would Howie use a draft pick on a 6'1" 240 pound edge player? It just seems like another wasted 7th round draft pick like Anrwan Powell-Ryland. I actually think Weru would have been a more likely pick than James-Newby.

Edge players on the board when James-Newby was selected were included -

Anthony Lucas, Southern Cal - 6'5" 256

Mason Reiger, Wisconsin - 6'5" 251

Tyreek Sapp, FLorida 6'2" 273

Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan 6'2" 251

Vincent Anthony Jr, Duke, 6'6" 258

I can think of two possibilie reasons:

1 - one of their scouts was super high on James-Newby and since rounds 6 and 7 in day 3 is the day Howie devotes to the scout's he was chosen

2 - he's seen as a potential inside linebacker ala Zach Baun

In any event, I see no way he makes the orster and little chance he even fits into the practice squad numbers.

I would say I don't get your post but several things are very obvious.

Almost certainly another wasted 7th round pick. But that’s because almost all 7th round picks are wasted. You draft players that suck (by NFL prospect standards) in the 7th round.

You can draft a player that has height and weight that look great and is available because they either can’t move or can’t play. You can draft some great prospect that is on trial for assault. You can draft someone that has great talent and attitude but never played football before. Or you can draft someone that looks good on film but is a 6’1” 240lb edge.

I’m sure this guy will suck and I’m sure it will be because of his terrible frame. But this is what you do in round 7. If you go after conventional prospects in round 7, you are guaranteed to find players that have already been vetted thoroughly as professionally coached SEC level prototypes that just can’t project as good players to the NFL. Or you can go for unique guys that may fall through the cracks.

This is such a strange thread. First, we are acting like a 7th round pick can be "wasted." Not only that, but the selection was a product of compensatory picks. In the NFL, there are 224 picks (32 teams x 7 rounds). Last draft there were 33 compensatory picks. James Newby was pick number 252. Second, he's about the same height and weight Haason Reddick plays at. Third, he happens to have a height/weight/speed combo that makes him ideally suited to contribute on special teams, which is about what you expect from a late round draft pick if he actually makes the team. The pick very much resembles the drafting of Patrick Johnson (pick 234 in 2021). We have quite a few special teams players to replace this season.

Lots of players with better size don't make it in the league. They saw a skill that was worth exploring vs wasting it on another guy who didn't flash to them as much. Simple as that.

I don't get why you're complaining about a 7th round pick.

21 hours ago, T-1000 said:

I would say I don't get your post but several things are very obvious.

3 hours ago, brkmsn said:

This is such a strange thread.

2 hours ago, greend said:

I don't get why you're complaining about a 7th round pick.

It's the dead zone. Instead of regurgitating the tried and tired topics the more esoteric can be discussed and picked through during this period.

32 minutes ago, Rob331 said:

It's the dead zone. Instead of regurgitating the tried and tired topics the more esoteric can be discussed and picked through during this period.

Cool, let's talk about the cheesesteak guy too.

Ohhh noooo not a 7th rounderrr

I don't get what women do with all those cotton balls.

On 6/9/2026 at 12:16 PM, greend said:

Cool, let's talk about the cheesesteak guy too.

who?

How about - "should Big Dom go on a diet?"

7th round picks are drafted as developmental projects.......they have to make a big impression in hustle, special teams, and learning the playbook/scheme just to try and make the roster or the practice squad.

The biggest problem with late rounders is how hard it is to evaluate the possibility of further development. Many draft picks, in all rounds, have hit their developmental peak and never progress.....it's why some guys never make it, or they never live up to their draft position. A kid can be a workout warrior, a college standout with great physical gifts and never make a roster or significant impact. Some guys get better each year.

But it also depends on the organization, the coaches and their scheme and how patient a GM/HC/Owner can be......QBs are chewed up by bad organizations because they are expected to "save" a lousy team and never given a real chance to develop.

With all the comp picks, this guy was a 9th round pick not a 7th round pick,

It's a lottery pick on a guy who has been a productive pass rusher.

I had to go look it up. There were 24 comp picks in rounds 3-6 before we drafted in the 7th.

This kid was the 36th pick in the 7th round. With the above 24 comp picks included,

that makes him the 60th pick in round 7 which more accurately translates into the 28th pick in the 8th round

That reminds me when I was a kid and the draft was 20 rounds. It was lowered to 17 rounds in 1967 and then 12 rounds in 1977, then 7 rounds beginning in 1994. I remember those early years the draft was on one day. I would get up early the next day and if it wasn't already there I would wait outside until I heard the thump of the Inquirer paper hitting the payment from the paper delivery guy and would run down and get it. The sports section had what they called thumbnail sketches complete with a small picture of the player I think. There was alot to read up on. I'd listen to kyw new radio and they would have a sports report twice an hour with some of the picks. Those early teams were really bad until Vermeil got here late 70s

Howie professes that the undrafted free agents we sign should all have a trait or traits that make them potential starters. Look at this year's crop. Gushiken and Pulley both have sub 4.5 speed. Dae'Quan Wright has the body and started at Mississippi. Roberts and Wilson were both starters at Alabama. I'd be cheaating to cite Underwood who was the nation's #1 long snapper and the only one on the roster. Truth is, I;d have taken any of them ahead of James-Newby.

Uar Bernard was taken one pick ahead of James-Newby and he has undeniable traits and potential.

All that bing said - what is the trait that makes James-Newby the guy for us in the 7th round.

4 hours ago, Rob331 said:

Howie professes that the undrafted free agents we sign should all have a trait or traits that make them potential starters. Look at this year's crop. Gushiken and Pulley both have sub 4.5 speed. Dae'Quan Wright has the body and started at Mississippi. Roberts and Wilson were both starters at Alabama. I'd be cheaating to cite Underwood who was the nation's #1 long snapper and the only one on the roster. Truth is, I;d have taken any of them ahead of James-Newby.

Uar Bernard was taken one pick ahead of James-Newby and he has undeniable traits and potential.

All that bing said - what is the trait that makes James-Newby the guy for us in the 7th round.

His trait would be bend around the corner. A lot of edge guys can’t turn the corner.

On 6/11/2026 at 4:34 PM, weko said:

That reminds me when I was a kid and the draft was 20 rounds. It was lowered to 17 rounds in 1967 and then 12 rounds in 1977, then 7 rounds beginning in 1994. I remember those early years the draft was on one day. I would get up early the next day and if it wasn't already there I would wait outside until I heard the thump of the Inquirer paper hitting the payment from the paper delivery guy and would run down and get it. The sports section had what they called thumbnail sketches complete with a small picture of the player I think. There was alot to read up on. I'd listen to kyw new radio and they would have a sports report twice an hour with some of the picks. Those early teams were really bad until Vermeil got here late 70s

20 rounds, could you imagine that today? I just looked up the 1966 draft...20 rounds, 15 teams, 305 total players drafted. Fast forward to 2026...7 rounds, 32 teams, 257 players drafted.

I've been an Eagles fan since 1980, but I didn't take an interest in the draft until 1999 when Andy Reid came to town and we had the #2 overall pick. I remember all the excitement about who we were gonna take...of course many people wanted Ricky Williams...but there was a huge buzz about all that so that made me start actively looking at the prospects as much as I could. Been hooked on the draft ever since.

On 6/16/2026 at 7:33 AM, EaglesAddict said:

I've been an Eagles fan since 1980, but I didn't take an interest in the draft until 1999 when Andy Reid came to town and we had the #2 overall pick. I remember all the excitement about who we were gonna take...of course many people wanted Ricky Williams...but there was a huge buzz about all that so that made me start actively looking at the prospects as much as I could. Been hooked on the draft ever since.

Hope to see you alot on the mock draft forum next year.