Despite the presence of talented up-and-comer Zach Ertz and steady veteran Brent Celek, the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly showing interest in Penn State University tight end Jesse James in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Tony Pauline of Draft Insider reported early Tuesday that the Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly are among a handful of teams scheduled to bring James in for a workout. This comes after a report emerged in March that the Eagles were closely eyeing James during the Penn State Pro Day.
While the team seems fairly well set at the tight end position with Ertz's considerable athleticism and pass-catching ability and Celek's elite-level blocking and still-quality passing game contributions - not to mention the swiss army knife that is Trey Burton - James seems like an addition that could mean less for the present and more for the future.
Celek, 30, is set to enter his ninth NFL season and the penultimate year of his current contract - a contract which carries no dead money penalty for either the 2015 or 2016 seasons. He recorded just 32 receptions for 340 yards and one touchdown last year as his role seemed to alter.
With Ertz taking on an incrementally more prominent spot in the passing game and adding in the plethora of injuries along the offensive line and Celek spent much of the 2014 season blocking instead of running routes - something for which Kelly praised him and dinged Ertz, repeatedly.
The 20-year-old James is a monster of a guy - 6-foot-7, 261-pounds - who finished his Penn State career with 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"Long frame with room for more muscle. Flashed some straight-line speed in space," writes NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "Shows a feel for when he comes open in the seam and will turn quickly to find the throw. Can make the occasional spectacular, one-handed catch. Works to the open space against zone coverage. Not content to stand in space. Continues to maneuver around within his area to uncover and present an open target to the quarterback. Can go up and over smaller defenders in red zone as a split end."
James sounds like a guy who will need a year or two to develop before he's ready to face NFL defenses, so taking him in the 2015 NFL Draft and keeping he, Ertz, Celek and Burton for a season before likely jettisoning Celek and letting James take over seems like a potentially smart move for Kelly.
Then again, taking a project tight end with one of your limited number of draft choices seems more like a luxury than a necessity and probably won't sit well with the fanbase.
James is currently projected as a second or third-day pick.
