I recapped Day 1 and Day 2, and I am not one to leave a trilogy incomplete. Here is everything you need to know about the Eagles Day 3 selections as well as the undrafted free agents.
Draft Selections:
Ty Robinson – DT – Nebraska: Robinson went to school with Cam Jurgens and, despite playing for 6 years, is still only 23 years old. He seems to be the biggest meathead goon you have ever seen but I mean that in the best way. He seems like Lane Johnson but on defense. He crushed the combine and has an all time RAS for his position. The talk on him is that he is fast and has a relentless motor. That sounds just about perfect next to either Jordan Davis or Jalen Carter who expect to absorb blockers. Robinson would be expected to play about 15 plays per game and to beat his man in more clear passing situations.
It should be noted that he has a pet camel, was pre-med at Nebraska, and seems like an absolutely awesome dude. That’s a far cry from the stereotypes me and people like me would probably be ready to heap on him.
Mac McWilliams – CB – UCF: My first reaction to this pick was that they drafted a kick returner in the 5th round, but there is apparently more to him than just speed (even if that’s all that his spider chart and his RAS say). This is the most complete write up I’ve seen on him and it focuses on Mac being a natural at football, which is pretty good to hear. It’s not easy for a 5th round guy to make it in this league. The higher you are drafted, the more slack you get. To hear that Mac doesn’t have to be told twice and is smart on the field WITH great speed, that gives him a leg up to stick around. It should be noted that he was a 5th year player who transferred from UAB where he was a team captain as a junior.
Smael Mondon Jr. – LB – Georgia: This seemed like a nothing pick at the time other than adding to the cache of Georgia Bulldogs, but looking at his athletic scores (Spider and RAS) paints a completely different picture. He’s small but VERY fast and likes to hit (his 25 BP reps at his pro day would have been 2nd at the combine). Mondon didn’t go to Georgia for nothing, as he was a 5 star recruit coming out of high school in 2021. 2021? Yes, that means he was on both national championship teams even if he didn’t get much run on the first one. He knows our guys.
Drew Kendall – C – Boston College: The first thing I thought of with the pick was the NFC Championship game against Washington. Landon Dickerson had to start at center because Cam Jurgens was hurt. When he went down too, Cam had to play. You don’t take the 3rd ranked center in the draft for no reason. He seems like an immediate lock to make the team as an athletic backup. He needs to get stronger though.
Kyle McCord – QB – Syracuse via Ohio State: McCord is the local boy who spent a few years with Marvin Harrison Jr in High School and College before transferring to the pass happiest offense in the country last year. I could not like this pick more as he will be the clear cut #3 on the team, set to develop behind Tanner McKee. There is no QB controversy anywhere on the roster. Hurts is here for the rest of his career basically and Tanner McKee has one more season before someone gives up a 2nd rounder for him. McCord is here to take that job next year. If we brought in another highly recruited QB in the late rounds every two years I would be extremely happy.
Myles Hinton – OT – Michigan: Hinton’s pick is very strange. He was a highly recruited son and brother of pros who lost his starting job for the national champions. You want to see upside there, but the two OTs taken after him, Cameron Williams and Hollin Pierce seem like better bets to make the roster than him. He isn’t athletic and isn’t particularly strong for being so massive. Initial reaction is that he was the worst pick in the draft for the Birds. We do need a swing tackle though.
Cameron Williams – OT – Texas: Selected half a round after Hinton, he seems like the easy better investment. He isn’t as good right now, but he has all of the tools and work ethic to become somebody. Think of him as an early enrollee in Stoutland University who will likely not see the field at all this season. He just doesn’t have that much football under him, but had the discipline to slim down from 360+ pounds to around 320. That’s a big deal. If he shows improvement from this season to next season, we have something special. If not, then no big loss (even if he is huge).
Antwuan Powell-Ryland – EDGE- Virginia Tech via Florida: For as down as I am about Hinton, I am that up about APR. People don’t just slip to the 6th round for no reason, but he seems like a total steal. 16 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 19 tackles for loss in 12 games in the ACC last year ain’t nothing. He is fast but small. I am convinced he is the kind of guy coaches are going to rave about, will make the team, and with every big special teams hit will convince the fans to start demanding he gets more playing time until he is a rotational guy by next season. Plus APR is just so easy a nickname to get behind.
Undrafted Free Agents:
UDFA is a term that Eagles fans should be familiar with due to their relative success with the kind of player. Hell, they even made a movie about Vince Papale. Corey Clement showed out in Super Bowl 52 and Reed Blankenship was a starter in SB 59. Then there’s Hollis Thomas, TJ Edwards, and even Herm Edwards. So let’s look at the next crop:
Hollin Pierce – OT – Rutgers: He is absolutely gargantuan at 6’8″ 350 lbs. With ALL THE SIZE. The Eagles gave him a big bonus and figures to be in a dual with Cameron Williams for the developmental tackle of the future. If I were to guess, they want Williams to make the team and get Pierce through on the practice squad. After not taking OTs for a few years, the Eagles are definitely trying to see if Stoutland can develop them a draft bargain now with the clock ticking on Lane.
ShunDerrick Powell – RB – Central Arkansas: He’s very small, like half of Pierce at 5’8″ and 180 pounds. The Eagles probably hope that if the squint enough Darren Sproles is headed to Philly. Well, maybe you don’t have to squint because his pro day numbers were BONKERS:
- 40 yard dash: 4.40
- Vertical leap: 40.5”
- Broad jump: 10’9”
- Bench: 21 reps at 225
- Squat 500+
He is a solid muscle.
Gabe Taylor – S – Rice: He is Sean Taylor’s little brother. He ran a 4.38 at his pro day and was a 4 year starter racking up 10 picks. He is small at 5’10” and 170 pounds. I can’t believe Washington didn’t try to sign him. Well, maybe they did but he wasn’t interested after the botched tribute. That’s pure speculation, maybe he just didn’t want to be constantly reminded and compared of his brother.
Montrell Johnson – RB – Florida: He had pretty solid testing but went undrafted. Honestly, I’m kind of surprised he wasn’t drafting with these numbers. From the stats, it looks like he would have been better off leaving 2 years ago if he could.
Maxen Hook – S – Toledo: Hook shared the secondary and was friends with Quinyon Mitchell. He isn’t here just on his good choice in relationships though. His testing was fine, but compared to his size, he is a very good athlete.
Lance Dixon – LB – Toledo: You would think this was Quinyon’s buddy as well, but he only transferred to Toledo this season (I mean, they could be friends, what do I know?). This one is purely on Nick Sirianni and his relationship with the coaches there. Basically, he comes approved. Dixon is a fast but undersized linebacker who fits the Eagles mold of drafting small but try hard guys who will need to be ready for special teams.
B.J. Mayes – CB – Texas A&M: His testing was pretty bad for a CB, but his tape is what makes him a serious contender to stick. PFF graded him out as the best slot defender in the country and apparently it wasn’t his best season. Obviously the odds on any UDFA are slim, but don’t be surprised if coaches like what they see in Mayes.
Brandon Johnson – S – Oregon: Johnson is fast and is apparently good at blitzing considering he had 5.5 sacks as a sophomore. The Duke transfer doesn’t exactly stand out, but here is everything a local Oregon blog found on him.
Taylor Morin – WR/KR – Wake Forest – He is here to be the new Britain Covey. His size is pretty bad for a receiver, but that doesn’t matter when you have agility like this. He led the ACC in punt return average at 17 ypr and took one to the house.
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