3 Players Philadelphia Eagles Should Target in the 2021 NFL Draft
This offseason is one of the most important offseasons in recent memory for the Philadelphia Eagles. The slate is almost completely wiped clear following last season’s disappointing 4-11-1 finish, with a new: head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator for the 2021 season. This is the first offseason of the Nick Sirianni era in Philadelphia, and while Doug Pederson’s time as Eagles head coach might’ve deteriorated rapidly, Sirianni still has to follow the coach that brought Philadelphia their first Super Bowl. We don’t know exactly what systems Sirianni and new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will implement or what players they will be eyeing up in this draft, but here are three players that the Eagles new regime should give a long look at this offseason.
1. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Syracuse
Looking at the Colts cornerbacks, they value long physical corners that can press receivers. Rock Ya-Sin, Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, and most recently this year Xavier Rhodes all fit the bill as bigger, physical corners. All four of them were starters for the Colts with Gannon as cornerbacks coach. Ifeatu Melifonwu could be someone that Gannon likes a lot.
Many will sour on Melifonwu simply because of his last name, but don’t let his brother keep you from drafting a potentially good corner in Ifeatu. Ifeatu Melifonwu at 6’2 212 has all of the size you want in a cornerback, very much fitting the bill of Gannon’s previous corners. Melifonwu is a smooth athlete for his size. He has some good short-area quickness and some good feet. He is patient and doesn’t waste his movements. Melifonwu is active in the run game, using his size and physicality to disengage with receivers and tackle ball carriers. The most notable thing about Melifonwu is his great ball skills. He has length and technique should be a terror once the ball is in the air. He could be the next corner that Gannon develops into a real playmaker, something the Eagles desperately need.
2. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB Oklahoma
Miles Sanders needs a bit of help, and Oklahoma’s Rhamondre Stevenson would be a great complementary back. For years I feel the Eagles have desperately needed a powerback. Think back to the Super Bowl winning year. The Eagles had Legarrette Blount, as well as Jay Ajayi. They could get it done in short-down situations and in the red zone. I am a big fan of Miles Sanders. I think he’s a great threat, but I think having a good backup that can run with power would help Sanders out a lot.
Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the best power backs in the 2021 NFL draft. He has great size, playing the season at 246 pounds and participating at the Senior Bowl at 227. He is extremely hard to wrap up on size alone. He runs with violence and physicality, but also has some good patience and finesse to his game. He shouldn’t be able to move the way he does being that big! Rhamondre Stevenson would add a powerful punch that the Eagles offense has been missing over the past few years.
3. Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
Ja’Marr Chase to Philadelphia is one of the best fits in the entire draft, and if the LSU wide receiver is still on the board at 6 the Eagles should probably just take him. The Eagles have a ton of speed at wide receiver. There’s a lot of really good potential secondary weapons that can score on any play. What Philadelphia truly needs though… what Jalen Hurts really needs… is a true #1 receiver. This is Ja’Marr Chase.
Ja’Marr Chase is one of the most physical receivers in the draft, despite not being as tall as some others. He plays through contact and is a contested-catch monster. Chase is built like a running back, and you might mistake him for one with the ball in his hands. He has the potential to be a really good route runner but is still raw in some areas. I’m not too concerned because he just turned 21 and has plenty of room for growth. Ja’Marr Chase will be the true #1 this offense needs and I believe will benefit everyone around him. With less pressure on him to carry the offense, and the emphasis more on what makes him great as a speedster, expect to see the real Jalen Reagor stand up with Chase opposite of him. Chase can elevate this offense to new heights and be the #1 Philly has been missing for years.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen