The Eagles were expected to use their third pick in the NFL draft on an offensive lineman. They surprised us all, when instead they added to their depth at the inside linebacker position.
Eagles 3rd round draft pick Jordan Hicks played the role of a coach for his Texas teammates after he tore his Achilles tendon. The guy who he will eventually be replacing here in Philadelphia, Eagles inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans did the same thing last year when he tore his Achilles tendon.
Ryans, who is the leader of the Eagles defense made an immediate impression on Hicks when he met him this weekend.
“I met (Ryans) today in the lunch room when I got here,” Hicks said. “Everyone notices him when he walks in. He brings a presence when he comes into the room. I can’t wait to get to know him better and learn from him. I’m kind of excited about that.”
Chip Kelly says the Eagles draft board pointed to Hicks even though they have needs on the offensive line. Hicks was evaluated as a fourth of fifth round pick by quite a few draft experts. He had his best season in 2014 when he lead the Longhorns with 147 total tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
He stands 6’2″, weighs 238 pounds and ran a 4.68 in the forty-yard dash. Those numbers aren’t outstanding, but he’s like a coach on the field. Hicks has already graduated from college and he’s very focused on making it in the NFL.
“This was a guy we had ranked higher than anyone on the board,” Kelly said. “We had him in the second round. There wasn’t anyone even close to him at this point. He’s a three-down linebacker. We like that. We want three-down linebackers. That’s what Mychal and Kiko are.”
Hicks joins an Eagles inside linebacker crew which is filled with guys who have had long injury histories. He had a broken foot, hip flexor and Achilles tendon tear during his time at University of Texas.
from this I read DeMeco is not a 3 down LB anymore and this kid has a chance. If this is who they believe in for their round pick I am fine until proven that he was not.
DeMeco Ryans has always struggled in Pass-Coverage’s which is why the Texans Traded him to Philly to begin with as they saw him as a 2-Down LB
in their System..
Ryans signed a 2 year $7.5 contract for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Kiko Alonso on rookie deal for the same 2 season. (2015-2016 seasons )
Mychal Kendricks has one year left ( 2015) on rookie deal.
Jordan Hicks will be on eagles for the next 4 years.
Kendricks is not going to be resigned. Ryans will hopefully be playing on first and second downs, the next two years but there’s no guarantee of that. Kelly emphasized that they were looking for 3-down linebackers. This kid is smart and they hope he’ll be able to be their 3rd down middle backer. I don’t like the injury history on all these guys. It could make Chip’s whole house come falling down.
Garry If you’re Kendricks do you holdout and force something through the summer or play it out?
Also if you have the premise that Kendricks is a lock to be gone and you are sitting in the third looking for his replacement is Hicks possibly that guy? Where there anyone else(for me Bernadrick McKinney) you would have taken at that spot?
Some of the Players that were still on the Board at #84
WR – Sammie Coats – Auburn 6-1 212lbs
OLB – Danielle Hunter – LSU 6-5 252lbs
DT – Carl Davis – Iowa 6-5 320lbs
OT – Chaz Green – Florida 6-5 315lbs
TE – Jeff Huermann – Ohio State 6-5 255lbs
DE – Henry Anderson – Stanford 6-6 295lbs
OT – Daryl Williams – Oklahoma 6-5 327lbs
Safety – James Sample – Louisville 6-2 210lbs
OT – TJ Clemmings – PItt 6-5 310lbs
Guard – Tre Jackson – Fla State 6-4 325lbs
TE – Blake Bell – OKlahoma 6-6 252lbs
I would have selected either Hunter,Green or Jackson. Clemmings would have caused a health risk issue. Williams would’ve been nice as well.
If im mistaken didnt the core of the OL go in the 4th round?. No one defensively on that list does anything for nor Sammie Coats or Blake Bell.
4th Rounders started with OT Daryl Williams that I listed above
Other OL that Went in the 4th Round
Seahawks – OT Tyler Poole – San Diego St 6-5 307lbs
Pats – Guard/Center Shaquille Mason – Georgia Tech 6-2 304
Broncos – CEnter – Max Garcia – FLorida 6-4 309lbs
Seahakws – Guard – Mark Glowinski – West Virginia 6-4 307lbs
I believe the Eagles Worked out Glowinski, Pool, Bell, Hunter
from this List..
Stephone Anthony went in the first round #31. Saints
—–
#43 Benardrick McKinney Texans
#45 Eric Kendricks Vikings
#48 Denzel Perryman Chargers ( must not be happy with Manti Teo)
#84 Jordin Hicks
#99 Paul Dawson Bengals
#119 Ramik Wilson Chiefs
#127 Damien Wilson Cowboys
#129 Jack Ryan Packers
#141 Martrell Spaight Redskins
This was a Strong and Deep ILB Class
The only Reach on this list is the Packers Jack Ryan of Michigan
If it means we don;t have to have one more ‘how is Casey Matthews still on the team’ post – I am all for this draft pick – front 7 looks solid and deep(er) on paper – added some new bodies to the secondary – replaced MAclin and added RB depth with more staright ahead runners – maybe add some OLine depth when camp cuts come –
3 yards and a cloud of dust (the passing game) and a steady dose of the RBs
I still would like a Bigger NT to Rotate with Benny Logan
Maybe the 7th Round Pick Mihaliki can be that Player
Dude pman whats wrong with beau allen he played ok as a 7th rd pick
I like Beau Allen who plays hard and smart
I am just not sure he’s Athletic enough to play 30-40 Snaps a game
outside of short-yardage,red-zone situations.. What happens if Logan gets hurt, who takes his snaps.. .
If Collins gets cleared of this murder the eagles need to go hard for him if they are able to sign him it makes there draft next yr easier and will only need qb or Olb he is a must a sign if cleared they need him so much
Collins’ agent will want him to sign where he can play LT immediately to accelerate a large restricted FA contract in 2 years. Eagles will not give him an opportunity to play LT so they don’t qualify.
Combo of signing bonus and playing time. No one will turn the LT position over to him immediately.
He (L Collins) is not playing anywhere immediately anytime soon
He’s a part of a Murder Investigation of the mother of his Child
It’s likely going to be Months before any Law Enforcement Agency determines his connection, innocence or status with this Case..
He is off-limits to all 32 Teams per Roger Goodell and the NFL Home Office
Eagles already used up their Allocated $$$ Space for Undrafted Free-Agents as mandated by the NFL… You have to have 90 Players by Camp time .. La’el Collins will sue the NFL to be able to re-apply for the 2016 Draft as the NFL said he couldn’t do… Once he’s cleared, which will take a few months, but he will not see a NFL Football Field in 2015
Your tripping he has to take the best offer he can get and also he maybe able to play lt next yr when Peters is gone
I think Peters could play LG when he’s done at tackle due to his strength and speed ….
When Peters is done playing LT, he’s done playing Football..
What round was Peters drafted in again? Oh that’s right, he went undrafted, that’s for Vin n those who keep saying it was a bad draft because we didn’t draft a lineman, this year all five guys will have a full camp n be here from game one n will dominate, next year will go get guys in FA n the draft
I agree. Also, I instinctively just assume he was a first round pick and forget he was not drafted… Wow, tells you all you need to know bout the draft…
I am not saying they have a UDFA like him on the roster, I’m saying if the LLCB is as good as I think… MYbe
Do you mean the Jason Peters that was signed as a TE and cut during his first training camp?
The Peters who was brought back on the Practice squad where he spent a whole year.
The Peters who finally saw the field as a RT in year 3?
Then in year 4 made the Pro Bowl.
Year 5 moved to LT. That guy?
You guys love your exceptions to the rule. Can that happen? Yes. How often does it happen? Not very often.
What are the odds on Kelly spending 5 years grooming one of these undrafted FAs to be a starting LT??
Will Peters hold down that spot for those 4/5 years?
What are the odds of Kelly being here in 5 years??
Dude vinnie you been hating for a while now that cant be good for blood pressure…..that question mark key needs a break
maybe its one of the UDFA’s that’s been on the team a couple of years????
Kyle Quinn
Matt Tobin
Josh Andrews
Karim Burton
Kevin Graf
Donald Hawkins
I’m not holding my breath
Lol..awesome list of premium talent.
obviously the chances are very low any will turn out to be peters, just pointing out in the 5 years that it took for peters to develop no one was counting on him to become what he is…he was sitting on a list just like yours.
Jason Peters cost the Eagles a first round pick in a trade #28 overall. Maclin and McCoy drafted that year also in 2009
zero wow that’s a helluva draft!
I like to see Dennis Kelly get a shot, he’s always reminded me a bit of a younger Todd Herremann’s but has injury issues almost every Summer Camp which negates his ability to Practice and Play..
This is it for him this Year..
One another note when is someone going to write an article asking for Utley to be replaced or released? We all know what would happen if Howard were hitting 103 right. Ridiculous
yeah its gotten to that point–he needs to be on the bench- they CANNOT let him get to 500 AB’s! that is when his contract kicks in for next year.
Utley and howard should have been released by now…..they are terrible
Exactly…I can not help but laugh when Chase comes out to his music..he is playing so horribly he should be creeping out there. He has the worst batting avg in MLB and no one is writing about even benching him.
i rarely write negative comments about the Phils because they delivered a World Series. – Silver lining, It could be worse, Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd are really struggling with the bat also just like Howard and Utley but they were luckily traded.
yeah howard was/is untradeable and Utley refuses…. kind of hands tied but they have to do something… you can’t half ass rebuild- I understand trying to get them all healthy in 13 — they had to because they had so many big contracts, halladay, lee, hamels (I think signed that summer) and of course howard…
they don’t see ruff as an everyday player… I think he should get an extended look…batting averages all around the league seem to be getting lower every year (not .108 low) but in general… bring back roids!
Two teams have already met withnCollins (Including Buffalo ‘s HC Ryans). Looks like Collins will be free to sign this week. The baby was not his, and he has had no contact with victim in months. We know Eagles had him in. We know the Eagles can offer a starting position – RG. No team can outbid another, so the choice I belongs to Collins. Could be an answer to our oline issue.
shame, cost the kid millions.Goodell should allow him to go supplementary draft or return to LSU and enter 2016.
Collins per Reports has little interest in coming up to the Northeast
and would prefer the Play Closer to home with Teams like the Saints, Falcons,Titans,Texans, TB Bucs
I would not count on La’el Collins coming to the Eagles for 1 minute
Boooooooo
Collins met with Rex Ryan and had dinner with him Monday night according to PFT. Other teams showing interest, Dallas and Miami. Eagles need to get in there, he would be an immediate upgrade on the O line at the guard position.
Just finished looking at these UDFA and I need to know why Devante Davis wasn’t drafted he makes this team flat out. The TE Tomlinson has a shot he needs a haircut and a shave though, and the Bunche kid has all the tools to be a long time olineman but won’t because he has no motor. Hopefully Stoutland can get his ass motivated.
Bunche is a Delaware Kid. Played at Newark High. He was a man among boys over here. Former Miami Hurricane. Has a chance.
The knock on Davante Parker is that he has difficulty getting off the jam, and into his route fast enough for the play to develop. But once the ball is in his hands he’s a load to seal with. He needs some coaching, but he could be a find.
deal with
I didn’t notice Devante Parker having problems getting of the jam.
Are you guys talking about Davante Parker of Lousiville or Davante Davis
from Nevada who the Eagles signed as a UDFA ?
I’m talking about Davis, paulman I watched game video of this kid and can’t help but wonder why he wasn’t drafted he makes the Birds roster easy.
Big he will start for us by mid season he is a volume player as he gets more catches he gets better during the game…..he is a monster with the ball in his hands…..he is big as TO….he will be a philly favorite
Zilents, in that red jersey with 81 on it, yeah, he did look like TO.
He has the measurables.. Let’s see what he can do
another UDFA WR of Interest is John Harris from Texas at 6-2 218lbs and a 13 Game Starter last Season with 68 Receptions & 1,051 Yards with 7 TD’s going against better Talent in the Big-12 than the Mountain West Conference and again this is with a Texas Offense that struggled with their QB play quite a bit last year in a new System under Texas HC Charlie Strong.
Davis had a wrist injury this past season which made him miss 5 games. He is a big weapon, not the fastest , but neither is Dez Bryant, Larry Fitz, or Jerry Rice, once in space though, they get the ball and get YAC. He will need some coaching to help get off the line, but he is so big that he can use his strength to assist with that. When the ball is in the air he knows how to use his body to wall off defenders to get the ball. He also tracks the ball good in the air and has good hands. I watched footage of his games, not just high lite reel footage show I have scene the good and the bad. Good developmental prospect. I expect him to make the team. Bye Riley!
Bye Riley should be our “bye felicia” lol…..but fof real I want him gone so bad now i would take his cap hit
Nelson Agholor was the number 3 ranked WR coming out of High School behind Beckum Green ( 2nd round Titans) and Stephon Diggs ( 5th round Vikings). Agholor was 4th WR drafted out of college behind Cooper, White, Parker. Always a winner ( great selection )
Watched a few highlight films on Jordan Hicks. The dude is very aggressive and looks to have a mean streak in him. Looks like he’s trying to take their heads off when he’s making a tackle. Also looks good dropping back into coverage. Like what I’m seeing
DMAN, I did the same. I did not know anything about Hicks but I am impressed with his quickness and aggressiveness. Good cover skills, gotta shed tackles better, but looks like a pretty damn good player. I would like to see him and Kendricks play together with Alonso on the outside.
I’ll be honest I didn’t know that much on Jordan Hicks going into the Draft, the more I see and read, the more I like.. He has Natural instincts, when he gets his hands on a Ball Carrier/Receiver/QB – he takes them down… He’s very active, uses his hands very well, has long arms, reach and shows good Pass-Coverage Skills with good Ball Skills for a LB..
I am excited to see him play and is He along with Rowe and Agholor can all compete and contribute in Year #1, then this Draft is a Solid B
I think Hicks at the minimum will be a killer on Special Teams and then used as a back-up and will see Snaps in Obvious Passing Downs and with
Alonso & Ryans rehabbing still, he may see some early action at least in the Summer Camp, Preseason where he can get his feet wet and gain some confidence with Teammates and Coach’s which is a win-win for him regardless