Eagles draft Cliffs Notes: 7 players you need to know going into the NFL scouting combine

Throughout the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, Nick Sirianni would occasionally stop by Howie Roseman’s office to brush up on draft prospects.

The Eagles’ brain trust will be 15 days removed from the end of the season when they leave for the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday. While most teams started their offseason in January and fixed their sights on the NFL draft, the Eagles’ coaching staff was scheming for playoff games and preparing for a trip to Arizona.

All of this might suggest the Eagles left Arizona at a disadvantage going into a pivotal draft, but Roseman said the front office found time amid the postseason run to prepare.

“Coach will come to my office on a Wednesday [and ask,] ‘Who are you watching? Tell me about this guy,’” Roseman said. “It’s not like we’re starting from scratch here. We’re going to evaluate all the players. We’re going to make sure that we keep our priorities in the right place here for this offseason.”

With the organization’s full sights now focused on maintaining one of the most complete rosters in the league, here are the Cliffs Notes on seven prospects going into next week’s scouting combine:

Scouting report: Witherspoon is considered the No. 1 cornerback in the draft by some analysts because of his combination of length, athleticism, and on-field demeanor. The 6-foot-1 corner is the type of tough, competitive defensive back most coaches covet. He’s got great closing speed and instincts and his coverage ability has drawn comparisons to that of Eagles cornerback Darius Slay and former Eagle Asante Samuel.

Where he’ll go: Witherspoon’s range seems to be somewhere in the latter half of the top-10 picks, which is good news for the Eagles. An early run of quarterbacks could lead to his being on the board when the Eagles go on the clock at No. 10 (via Saints), even though he has a good chance of being the first corner taken.

How he’d fit: Witherspoon makes sense because he can be a Day 1 starter in the event that James Bradberry signs a lucrative deal with another team next month. His coverage style is similar to Slay’s, as opposed to Bradberry’s physical approach, but the Eagles would secure an heir apparent for Slay by drafting Witherspoon.

Scouting report: At 6-foot-2, 201 pounds with fluid movement, Gonzalez is big enough to cover stronger wide receivers and athletic enough to stick with fast guys. His physical profile might leave him better suited for a press man-heavy scheme, but he has the versatility to play in zone coverage from multiple alignments as well.

Where he’ll go: Gonzalez is a first-rounder with a slight chance to crack into the top 10, depending on how the draft board falls. If Witherspoon goes before the Eagles’ pick and they covet a corner, they’ll have a choice between Gonzalez and a cast of other first-round cornerbacks.

How he’d fit: Like Witherspoon, Gonzalez looks like a Day 1 starter who could replace Bradberry if needed. His upside might be determined by his ability to improve his reaction speed in zone coverage, but he has man-coverage ability to fit with Slay if the next defensive coordinator wants to employ more man-to-man than Jonathan Gannon did.

Scouting report: It’s easy to see the pedigree when watching Porter, who wins more often with physicality than finesse. The play strength passed down from former Steelers edge rusher Joey Porter Sr. is apparent and should help Joey Porter Jr. become a capable press-man corner who is also fast enough to limit explosive plays. He didn’t have the turnover production you’d like to see from a first-round cornerback and he can get grabby and draw penalties, but his 6-foot-2, 198-pound frame and heavy hands give him legitimate upside.

Where he’ll go: It’s subject to change as the draft process progresses, but Porter’s range seems to begin around the Eagles’ pick and end by the 20s in most mock drafts.

How he’d fit: There may be more polished corners ranked ahead of him, but Porter is the most seamless potential replacement for Bradberry because of his physical playing style. He’d be an ideal complement to Slay and has the upside to eventually become a No. 1 cornerback capable of playing in a variety of defensive schemes.

» READ MORE: Eagles mock draft: Adding talent in trenches, secondary among Birds’ primary focus

Scouting report: At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Murphy has the prototypical size and athleticism you’d look for in a first-round edge-rusher prospect. He has the foundational aspects of a really good pass rusher: Quick first step, long arms, heavy hands, and a nonstop motor. Putting it together with a consistent rush plan and turning those tools into better production will be the key to unlocking that potential.

Where he’ll go: Murphy’s range is sporadic but could be easier to pin down once he goes through athletic testing at the scouting combine. He’s projected as high as the top-10 by some and in the back half of the first round by others.

How he’d fit: Assuming Brandon Graham re-signs with the Eagles, Murphy would give the Eagles an edge rusher rotation with four potential difference-makers. Murphy would be a Day 1 starter on most teams, but he’d likely serve as an early-down edge reserve spelling Haason Reddick or a situational pass-rusher at times.

» READ MORE: 3 prospects the Eagles could target with the No. 10 pick in 2023 NFL draft

Scouting report: It takes only a quick Twitter search to find out how violent Van Ness is as a power rusher. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman doesn’t have many pass rush moves outside of a straight bull rush, but his ability to bowl offensive linemen over is striking. Like Jordan Davis last draft cycle, any team evaluating Van Ness will have to weigh relative lack of playing time with impressive physical traits to make a projection on how he’ll translate in the league. He wasn’t a starter for the Hawkeyes, but the upside is apparent.

Where he’ll go: Van Ness is projected between a top-10 and top-20 pick by most mock drafts going into the scouting combine. He’ll likely be a polarizing player because of his limited playing time and lack of polish.

How he’d fit: Van Ness fits well with the Eagles for two particular reasons: He has versatility to play multiple spots along the line of scrimmage and he projects as a capable run defender who needs to develop as a rusher. The Eagles could use him on early downs on the edge to save Reddick and Josh Sweat for known passing situations while bringing him along as a rusher. He could also take snaps as a 4i-technique in an odd front, something the Eagles will likely need with Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, and Ndamukong Suh all on expiring deals.

Scouting report: A three-year starter in the Big Ten, Skoronski projects well at the next level as a skilled tackle who can make pass protection and run fits look effortless at times. He’s got quick feet, moves rushers well with his hands, and does a nice job operating in open space on reach blocks. He doesn’t have the prototypical arm length you’d want from a top-flight tackle — he actually looks more like a guard on film — but his play speaks for itself.

Where he’ll go: Most analysts have Skoronski as the best offensive tackle prospect in the class, slightly ahead of Ohio State’s Paris Johnson. His range starts inside the top-10 and ends around the middle of the round.

How he’d fit: While he could start at tackle early in his career for a team that needs it, Skoronski is a prime candidate to spend his first year at guard before bumping out. With the Eagles, he could be a perfect stand-in at right guard if Isaac Seumalo leaves in free agency and could also serve as the eventual heir apparent to Lane Johnson if the All-Pro right tackle retires in a few seasons. His experience being exclusively at left tackle in college makes the projection to the right a bit tougher, but he’s athletic enough to suggest he can play on both sides.

» READ MORE: Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Dawand Jones are alluring options to be Lane Johnson’s heir apparent

Scouting report: Few players are as electric as Robinson was for the Longhorns last season. At 6-foot, 220 pounds, he has the blend of size, speed, quickness, and receiving ability that teams covet in elite running backs. He will reliably make the first guy miss with his quickness or explode through contact for extra yards. He’s a solid route-runner who can do damage lined up at receiver as well. He dealt with a few injuries during his college career, but he is one of the best running back prospects in recent memory.

Where he’ll go: Although most analysts have Robinson as a top-five prospect, his range will likely start in the back half of the first round and end toward the end of Day 1.

How he’d fit: Robinson would give the Eagles a true three-down back and give their offense another dimension next season. As good as the Eagles’ offensive line is, Robinson would bring something extra with his ability to consistently shake at least one would-be tackler every run. Investing in a first-round running back is a dubious decision for most teams, but it’s the type of luxury pick a contender can sometimes justify.