The final day of the draft is good for a ton of mostly meaningless trades and selections of guys you’ve never heard of who usually have some crazy talent but are mostly defective in some way. I’ll be keeping track of all of them, doing the research, and telling you what you need to know. Let’s finish up strong everyone, GO BIRDS (and Flyers later)!
3:45p – Cole Payton, You are an Eagles!
After nearly 4 hours, the Eagles have finally made their first pick on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The 178th pick the Eagles have gone back to the North Dakota State QB well. Did I predict this? Kinda! Check out below.
Payton is a shockingly mobile QB not just from the tape, but his 40 time was 4.56. This is a big boy a 6’3″, 230 pounds. Only a 1 year starter at NDSU despite being there for 5 years. Yeah, he’ll be 24 in October despite not much experience.
The Eagles clearly see Payton as a wildcard with good athleticism who would sit in the 3rd string spot for at least 2 years. For me, taking him this high means that the Eagles will very seriously consider a Tanner McKee trade over the next few months. Not that Andy Dalton makes for some kind of great backup, but if those 3 make the team, this is essentially a waste of a 5th round pick.
Lefty.
More to come…
12:30p – Howie’s Kind of Guy
Uar Bernard is one of the most Howie prospects possible. He is 6’4″ tall, 300 pounds and an athletic freak show. Check out his RAS score below. He also might not have any idea how to play football. Here’s his deal…
Bernard is from Nigeria and didn’t start playing any sports until he was 16. He picked up football after basketball and was invited to the NFL Africa Camp two years ago and the NFL International Player Pathway Program last year. To say he’s raw is an understatement. That is not a problem for the Eagles as they previously proved with Jordan Mailata.
Here’s how the IPP Program works. A team that drafts or signs one of these guys gets an extra roster spot in preseason. However, they do not get an extra spot for the regular season. This means that if the player does not make the 53 man roster (they won’t) then they have to go through waivers like everyone else. At that point, they can be signed to the practice squad in which the team WILL get an exemption for an extra PS player.
The Eagles do not shy away from talent that can help them in the future. The odds of Bernard making it are slim, but athletes like him do not come around very often. Would they take a swing at him in the draft? Maybe that’s what that extra 7th round pick they received from the Vikings is for? Just a thought.
11:45a – Eagles’ Needs
The Eagles still need a safety and there are a few names still available including:
- Jalon Kilgore – South Carolina
- Zakee Whitley – Penn State
- Kamari Ramsey – USC
- Genesis Smith – Arizona
Aside from that clear need, look for the Eagles to take a backup QB, offensive and defensive line depth (we love those late DTs (Uar Bernard anyone?)), and possibly a corner (don’t count out McCoy if he’s still there.
As for the backup QB, I wouldn’t look past Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt. Not only does he have the built in report with Eli Stowers, but he’s clearly a competitive guy. Interestingly, there is another North Dakota State QB in the mix, Cole Payton. Would be funny to go back to that well.
11:35a – What to Know for Day 3
The 4th round starts at noon today with 5 minutes between picks. As of this minute, the Eagles don’t pick until the 5th round, but Howie Roseman has been known to make a deal or two. Current picks are #s 178, 197, and 244.
The big story of the day is that maybe the best CB in the draft, Jermod McCoy, is still waiting for his name to be called. He missed all of last year due to injury. Despite that injury healing, there is a fear that he will need another surgery that will surely end a season and could end his career. Someone will take a flyer on his incredible talent eventually though.
PHOTO: Erin Ninehouser – FR172359 AP
Philly Front Office 
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