During the college football season each year, as long as you're watching the games, we point out five players each week to keep an eye on who make logical sense for the Philadelphia Eagles in the following year's NFL Draft.
Alfred Collins, DT, Texas (6'5, 320): (5) Georgia at (2) Texas, SEC Championship Game, 4:00 p.m.
Collins is a premier run stuffer in the middle of the Texas defense. He doesn't have ideal production (7 career sacks in 5 collegiate seasons), but his athleticism for such a massive player is rather obvious, and he has some untapped ceiling as a pass rusher:
Collins could be a first-round pick, and the Eagles aren't afraid of spending premium draft capital on interior defensive line prospects who don't have eye-popping sack numbers.
The Eagles also have a need along the interior of their defensive line with Jalen Carter playing so many snaps already and Milton Williams scheduled to become a free agent this offseason.
Andrew Mukuba, S/CB, Texas (6'0, 190): (5) Georgia at (2) Texas, SEC Championship Game, 4:00 p.m.
Mukuba is primarily a safety, but he doubles as a slot corner, in a similar mold as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (yes, I know CJGJ hasn't played much in the slot this year).
In his first three seasons at Clemson, Mukuba only had 1 INT and no forced fumbles, but he has become more of a playmaker in 2024 (4 INTs) after transferring to Texas.
#Texas DB Andrew Mukuba is darn good at finding work and was almost rewarded with an early INT against Kentucky.
Almost identical to his INT vs. Georgia. This shows up on NFL Draft scouts desks. Tremendous from No. 4. pic.twitter.com/wsNUR0SbKM— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) November 26, 2024
Vic Fangio values versatility at every level of the defense.
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (6'4, 248): Marshall at Louisiana, Sun Belt Championship Game, 7:30 p.m.
Green is tied for second in the nation with 16 sacks. He's explosive at the snap, he has speed, and a repertoire of pass rush moves (ghost, spin, and some nice inside counters). Here's a nasty outside spin vs. Ohio State (via @MHolder95):
Green is only a redshirt sophomore, so he will also be one of the younger prospects in this draft class, if he declares. Probably a Day 2 guy.
Jordan James, RB, Oregon (5'10, 210): (3) Penn State at (1) Oregon, Big Ten Championship Game, 8:00 p.m.
James is Oregon's lead back after backing up Bucky Irving in 2023. Interestingly, James had a better rushing average than Irving last season:
Oregon RBs, 2023 | Rush | Yards | YPC | TD |
Bucky Irving | 186 | 1180 | 6.3 | 11 |
Jordan James | 107 | 759 | 7.1 | 11 |
Irving, of course, is having a very good rookie season with the Buccaneers.
In 2024, James has 206 carries for 1166 yards (5.7 YPC) and 11 TDs. He also has 21 catches for 182 yards.
James is a short, bowling ball type of back who doesn't have great long speed, but has good vision, hits the holes that are there, and can break tackles.
I like his fit behind the Eagles' offensive line, and Kenny Gainwell is scheduled to be a free agent next offseason.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (6'6, 315): (17) Clemson at (8) SMU, ACC Championship Game, 8:00 p.m.
Miller has been Clemson's starting RT since his freshman season, and he has also filled in at LT at times when Clemson has had injuries along their line. He's experienced and versatile, which ideal size and decent athleticism:
I thought #Clemson RT Blake Miller held his own again a diverse and athletic group of Georgia edge rushers, including Mykel Williams.
Balance and punch timing needs to continue to improve, but his tools are evident, especially in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/unPRTFQ0RY— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) September 1, 2024
Fred Johnson is scheduled to be a free agent in 2025. Miller could be a backup swing tackle early in his career, with some upside to start at RT down the road whenever Lane Johnson retires. Day 3 guy.
MORE: 5 things to watch in Eagles-Panthers
Previously profiled players
- Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
- Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
- Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
- Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
- Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
- Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
- Dontay Corleone, NT, Cincinnati
- Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
- Anthony Belton, OT, NC State
- Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
- Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon
- Caleb Prieskorn, TE, Ole Miss
- Kenneth Grant, NT, Michigan
- Collin Oliver, LB/EDGE, Oklahoma State
- Dasan McCullough, LB/DB, Oklahoma
- Emery Jones, OT, LSU
- Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
- Deone Walker, NT, Kentucky
- Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina
- Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
- Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
- Jonah Savaiinaea, OG/OT, Arizona
- Nic Scourton, DL, Texas A&M
- Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green
- Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
- Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
- Eric Gentry, LB, USC
- Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
- Jonah Monheim, OL, USC
- J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
- Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
- Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
- Ashton Gillotte, DL, Louisville
- Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson
- Nick Emmanwori, S/LB, South Carolina
- Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia
- David Bailey, EDGE/LB, Stanford
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech
- Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
- Connor Colby, OL, Iowa
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
- Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
- Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
- Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
- Josaiah Stewart, LB/EDGE, Michigan
- Shemar Turner, iDL, Texas A&M
- Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
- Xavier Truss, OT, Georgia
- Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
- Clay Webb, OL, Jacksonville State
- Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
- Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
- Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
- Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
- Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
- Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
- Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
- Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
- Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
- Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
- Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
- Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
- Joshua Gray, OT/OG, Oregon State
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