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Meet the UDFAs

Posted: May 1st, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

The Eagles had a good draft class and then got busy on the phones, trying to build a strong UDFA class. You never know when you’ll find the next T.J. Edwards, Nate Herbig or Marcus Epps. Good players go undrafted every year.

Here is the unofficial list so far:

QB Carson Strong
QB EJ Perry
RB Kennedy Brooks
WR/RS Britian Covey
OT Jarrid Williams
OG William Dunkle
OG Josh Sills
DT Noah Elliss
CB  Mario Goodrich
CB Josh Jobe
CB Josh Blackwell
FS Reed Blankenship

*****

QB Carson Strong – Nevada – 6-3, 226

3-year starter with a powerful arm. If healthy, had a chance to be the top QB picked. Strong has major knee issues. He was advised not to play in 2021 by everyone around him. Strong felt an obligation to support his teammates and worked out a faster recovery time so he could get back on the field with them. You can bet that level of commitment made Nick Sirianni fall in love with him.

Strong’s early return led to erratic play. His numbers were good and Nevada got off to a 5-1 start, but scouts saw issues. Strong had very limited mobility. He did everything he could to play in games. During the week, he would sometimes ride in a golf cart to rest his leg for Saturdays. That should tell you how serious the injury was as well as how strong his commitment to play was. Strong’s weak leg affected his mechanics. He became more of an arm thrower.

Strong got healthier and better as the season went along. I thought he looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl. At his best, he is a very impressive passer. He has a very strong arm and can make every throw in the book. He is a good deep thrower. Beyond just a powerful arm, he is accurate down the field. Strong is a smart, accurate passer on short and intermediate stuff. He anticipates receivers coming open and can put the ball in very tight windows.

This is a great signing by the Eagles. Strong might remind you of Philip Rivers, who Sirianni coached in SD and Indy. The Eagles are set at QB heading into the 2022 season so Strong can play, sit, rest or whatever he needs. The focus can be on his future rather than right now. If he’s ready to play, the Eagles can mix him in judicously. If Strong never pans out, he just cost money.

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Strong has the potential to develop into a starting QB in the future.

QB EJ Perry – Brown – 6-2, 211

Brown is a dual-threat QB who started two years at Brown. He threw for 6,258 yards and 47 TDs, while running for 1,202 yards and 16 TDs. He is a bit thin, but has a good frame. Brown has a live arm. He’s a good athlete. His ability to run wasn’t just due to facing Ivy League competiton. Brown went to the E-W Shrine game and was the offensive MVP, going 13-18-241 with 3 TDs. He also ran for a score.

I don’t understand Perry signing with the Eagles. He is a solid prospect. I would think he would have been better served going to other teams. I wonder if the Eagles told him Strong would sit this season and Perry would have a good chance to compete for the #3 QB job. I’m glad he did come to Philly. He is a talented prospect with the tools to be an NFL QB.

RB Kennedy Brooks – Oklahoma – 5-11, 209

Ran for 1,000 or more yards each of his last three seasons. Averaged 7.0 yards per carry and had 31 TDs. Went undrafted because he’s not special athletically and also isn’t special in terms of size or skill. Just a good RB. Those guys tend to go undrafted, but they can still carve out an NFL career. Brooks is an interesting runner. He doesn’t make hard lateral cuts. He goes slow, reads blocks and then fires upfield. Brooks runs behind his pads and goes through contact. He breaks a lot of tackles. Brooks doesn’t have breakaway speed. He ran 4.61 at the Combine and that’s what you see on the field. He needs work as a receiver and a blocker.

Brooks is a good fit for the Eagles running scheme. He can take advantage of good blocking and get up to the second level. It will be interesting to see if he can deliver big plays in the NFL. The lack of speed wasn’t as big a deal in the Big 12. Brooks also isn’t meant to be an NFL workhorse. His best shot is being part of RB by committee.

WR/RS Britian Covey – Utah – 5-8, 169

Small, explosive athlete who was a good receiver and dynamic returner. Ran back 4 punts for TDs and 1 kickoff for a score. Makes quick, deicisive cuts. Once he gets some space, has the burst to get down the field. Good long speed. Ran 4.48 at his Pro Day. Might be even faster on the field. As a receiver, played in the slot and outside. Would be a slot receiver in the NFL.

The Eagles need to get more dynamic in the return game. Covey gives them a chance to do that.

OT Jarrid Williams – Miami – 6-6, 323

Williams began his career at Houston and then transferred to Miami. He started at RT for both schools. Williams is an agile, athletic blocker. He ran 5.16 in the 40 and had a vertical of 31 inches. That shows up on tape, not just workouts. The Eagles aren’t set at RT behind Lane Johnson. Williams has a chance to earn a roster spot if he plays well. He could also be a good developmental prospect, spending 2022 on the practice squad and then competing for a spot in 2023. Williams must learn to use his hands more consistently. His pad level can also be an issue at times. He has good tools to work with, but definitely needs work.

OG William Dunkle – San Diego State – 6-5, 328

Dunkle was a 3-year starter at RG for the Aztecs. He is big, strong and nasty. Outstanding run blocker. Has pretty good feet. Able to get movement on the front side or seal off the back side. Can be too high at times, but has the strength to still win. Has a real mean streak. Destroys LBs/DBs when he has the chance. Nickname is Dunkzilla. Reminds me of Nate Herbig.

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OG Josh Sills – Oklahoma State – 6-6, 322

Began his career at West Va, then transferred to OSU. Started 48 total games, mostly at LG. Started at all five spots during his career. You can bet the Eagles value his size and versatility. Powerful run blocker with a nasty streak. Likes to finish blocks and mix in shots whenever he can. Decent athlete. More mauler than technician. Can get out of control at times. Gets out over his feet and off balance. The kind of big, powerful OG the Eagles tend to like.

DT Noah Elliss – Idaho – 6-4, 346

Elliss is the son of former Lions star DT Luther Ellis (2 Pro Bowls, 29 career sacks). Noah tried to go to Mississippi State, but had academic issues and ended up at Idaho. He played in 21 games over three seasons. Elliss was at his best in 2021, notching a career high 46 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. Dominant at times, but that was against mediocre competition. Still, has incredible combination of size and strength. A real bully. When he keeps his pad level down, just destroys blockers. Stood out at the Shrine Game practices.

The Eagles wanted to get bigger in the middle of the defense. Between Elliss and Jordan Davis, that job is done.

CB  Mario Goodrich – Clemson – 6-0, 191

Got four starts in 2020 and then became full time starter in 2021. Has okay size, but is a limited athlete. Played a lot of press in college, but will be a better fit at playing off in the NFL. At his best when keeping things in front of him and then attacking the ball. Had 5 career INTs. Broke up 8 passes in 2021. Solid hitter and tackler. Aggressive style. Ran 4.56 at his Pro Day and had VJ of 31 inches. Not fast or explosive.

The Eagles have a bunch of young corners competing for roster spots and playing time. Goodrich has a chance at both.

CB Josh Jobe – Alabama – 6-0, 184

2-year starter who had a disappointing senior season. Played at a high level in 2020, when he was across from Patrick Surtain. Jobe broke up 11 passes and had 2.5 TFLs, 2 sacks and 2 FF. He was a playmaker. A nagging foot injury affected Jobe throughout 2021 and he wasn’t nearly as effective or productive. He broke up 6 passes and picked off 2. Jobe is at his best as a physical press corner. He shows solid athleticism on tape. Due to the foot injury, he wasn’t able to work out prior to the draft.

I was surprised that Jobe went undrafted. He was great value as a UDFA. We’ll see if he can get healthy and return back to his 2020 form. If he does that, he’s a legit threat for a roster spot.

CB Josh Blackwell – Duke – 5-11, 183

Started 28 games for Duke in a defense that played a lot of man coverage. Has spent a ton of time on an island. Ran 4.34 at his Pro Day. Broke up 20 passes in his career, but never picked off a pass. That doesn’t say much for his ball skills. Blackwell has an uphill battle as he competes for a roster spot. That speed will help, but he needs work.

FS Reed Blankenship – MTSU – 6-1, 204

Watch some tape and you can see why the Eagles like him. Blankenship is a good athlete. He’s got quick feet and runs well. He’s got outstanding movement skills. Excellent change of direction. Good closing speed. He moves like an NFL DB. Now for the not so good. Blankenship is an erratic tackler. There is no lack of effort or toughness, but he needs a lot of work. Too often he’s a drag-down tackler, meaning he gets his hands on the target and then tries to drag him down to the ground. That will not work in the NFL. When Blankenship is deep and comes up in a hurry to make a tackle, he can be out of control. All it takes is a quick cut or move and he whiffs. Blankenship must do a better job of coming under control before trying to engage the runner/receiver. He is a versatile player. I saw him line up deep, in Cover 2 and in the box. He can cover slot receivers. Blankenship generally does a good job of reading plays and getting to the right spot. Good playmaker. Had 9 career INTs. Very productive senior season: 1 INT, 2 FF, 3 FR, 8 PDs, 1 sack, 110 tackles.

I’m sure the Eagles love the combination of his athleticism, versatility and production. Blankenship does need to get stronger and he must improve his tackling. He has legit NFL potential. His future will be tied to his ability to fix the weak spots in his game.

http://igglesblitz.com/2022/05/meet-the-udfas-2/

CLICK ON LINK TO ARTICLE TO VIEW HIGHLIGHT VIDS FOR EACH PLAYER

Posted

I read that they added Ali Fayad. Hadn't seen Williams on the list before. 

Posted
1 hour ago, Rob331 said:

I read that they added Ali Fayad. 

Yep.

 

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