There's almost no question the Philadelphia Eagles will make an addition or two to their secondary during the coming 2015 NFL Draft.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly mentioned at the NFC coaches breakfast during the league's annual meetings this week that the team would likely look to in-house candidates such as Earl Wolff and possibly Jaylen Watkins to fill the hole at safety next to Malcolm Jenkins.
If Watkins, viewed as a cornerback/safety hybrid, is moved to safety on a full-time basis that leaves just Walter Thurmond, Nolan Carroll and Brandon Boykin to duke it out for the open cornerback spot across from the newly added Byron Maxwell, not to mention fill the nickel and dime package roles, leaving the Eagles with little in the way of secondary depth.
To that end, the Eagles have been paying very close attention to a couple of defensive backs with upside and versatility that may be available after the draft's initial round.
Eric Rowe, a defensive back out of Utah, has flown up draft boards in recent weeks and, according to a report from Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, has drawn significant interest from the Eagles.
"I'm waiting for more information on defensive back Eric Rowe, but I can confirm something that I've been told over the past few weeks; Rowe is flying up draft boards and most feel there's no way he gets out of the second round. I'm told the Philadelphia Eagles are very high on Rowe, who's drawing intrigue based on his size/speed and ability to line-up at either cornerback or safety," Pauline wrote.
The Eagles selected the versatile Watkins in the fourth-round last season, so Kelly clearly values players able to man a couple of positions.
Another player the team is reportedly high on is Julian Wilson of Oklahoma.
"Eagles are very interested in Oklahoma CB Julian Wilson, according to source. Easy to see why: 6'2" and 205 lbs. Day 3 CB with upside," Mike Kaye of Bleeding Green Nation tweeted.
What do Rowe and Wilson both have in common? Size, versatility and upside.
Kelly, shown by his additions in free agency, seems to be targeting players with certain physical and mental attributes that are deficient in other areas in the hopes that getting them into the Eagles system and getting them coached up will help turn that innate athleticism and understanding of the game into a more complete, well-rounded skill set.
With the Philadelphia roster boasting little in the way of developmental prospects for the defensive backfield, it would behoove Kelly and the Birds brass to bring in a player or two, even if it comes in the latter portion of the draft.
