April 22, 2016
The 2016 NFL Draft is loaded with talent along the defensive line, particularly at defensive tackle. Therefore, there's a good chance that when the Eagles find themselves on the clock at any of their picks from the third round on, a defensive tackle who otherwise would already be drafted in a less-stacked DT draft could be available.
The defensive tackle position is not an immediate need on this Eagles roster, although there is uncertainty there with Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan slated to become free agents after the 2016 season.
Here are five defensive tackles who might make sense for the Eagles:
Jones was the 20th ranked high school recruit in the country by Rivals.com when he committed to Mississippi State in 2013. Jones is short on production, as he had 99 career tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss. He was not the impact player over his career that Mississippi State thought they had when they got him to commit, but he played well his senior season. Watching him, there are times when he looks dominant, and there are other times you'll see some really bad moments when he's not hustling to the football.
However, despite that lack of statistical production, Jones is strong, and a very athletic player for his size, with the versatility to play anywhere along the defensive line. Because of his raw size, strength, and athleticism, Jones would normally not be available in the third round in any normal year. However, in a year in which the draft is absurdly stacked with defensive line talent, there could be a few interior defenders available this late who might have otherwise been second round picks.
Draft projection: Second round
In the Eagles' former 3-4 scheme, Washington would not have been a consideration. However, as a one-gap penetrating DT, he makes sense in an aggressive, attacking 4-3 scheme under Jim Schwartz. Washington's interview process will be important, as he was arrested for solicitation last December and suspended for the Buckeyes' bowl game.
In a wide-nine scheme, Washington can use his lateral agility to beat interior offensive linemen.
Draft projection: Second-Third round
Ridgeway had six sacks from his interior defensive line spot in 2014, and has talent as a pass rusher. However, he had a variety of injuries in 2015, and had conditioning issues at Texas. If the Eagles think they can motivate Ridgeway and still believe in their sports science program with Chip Kelly gone, Ridgeway could be a good value in the third round if teams pass on him because of those concerns.
While a lack of conditioning shouldn't be minimized, an argument could be made that it is less important for a team that plans on utilizing a heavy rotation of talented defensive linemen.
Draft projection: Second-Third round
The Eagles may draft small school guy in North Dakota State's Carson Wentz in the first round. Another very intriguing small school prospect is Hargrave, who comes from FCS school South Carolina State. Hargrave destroyed his smaller school competition last season at his DT spot, racking up 13.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 59 tackles, and two forced fumbles. That came a season after he had 16 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
Here's a sampling of what Hargrave did against lesser competition:
I don't know anything about Arkansas Pine Bluff's right guard, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he isn't as good as Zack Martin. Hargrave stood out during the week of Shrine Game practices, and received a late invite during the week of Senior Bowl practices after players were lost due to injury.
Hargrave moves extraordinarily well for his size at 315 pounds, and could be a quality penetrating one-gap defender in Jim Schwartz's defense.
Draft projection: Third round
It's not often a draft prospect is married with three kids, but that's what Quinton Jefferson's situation is, and he comes with more maturity than most. According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, Jefferson interviewed well with teams at the Senior Bowl.
As a player, at 6'4, 289, Jefferson is probably a three-technique in a 4-3, but he could also play some DE. During the week of Senior Bowl practices, Jefferson had his moments in which he was a disruptive and able to make plays in the backfield. Jefferson probably isn't going to be a starter in the NFL, but he could fit in nicely with the Eagles as a versatile rotational defensive lineman in the later rounds.
Draft projection: Fifth-Sixth round
