The 2020 NFL Combine will now feature the defensive players with workouts and position drills for defensive linemen and linebackers.
The Eagles have a need for depth on the defensive line, despite Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson all set to return as starters.
With Graham, Cox, and Jackson getting up there in age, it’ll be imperative for the Eagles to land some young talent along the defensive front.
Here are ten defensive linemen or edge rushers regardless of the position that the Eagles should watch at the NFL Combine on Saturday.
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1. Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan
A standup linebacker for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines, Uche has the ability to be an every-down pass rusher in the NFL, who can also be versatile in a zone or man pass coverage.
With the Eagles looking to be innovative while getting younger and more versatile, Uche could be perfect against the grain option.
2. Zack Baun, LB/Edge-Rusher, Wisconsin
Built-in the mode of the Steelers T.J. Watt, Baun had 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season for one of the Big Ten’s top defenses. He could rise up draft boards if he tests well.
3. Alex Highsmith, DL, Charlotte
A walk-on at Charlotte, Highsmith has matured into a game-wrecker. In 2018, Highsmith garnered first-team All-Conference USA accolades after posting 60 tackles, a school-record 17.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Last season, Highsmith repeated as first-team All-C-USA, while earning third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press after finishing in the top five nationally with 21.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 13 starts.
4. Jordan Elliott, Missouri
A sleeper who could rise after the NFL Combine, Elliott turned pro after a junior season that saw him garner second-team Associated Press All-American honors after leading his team with 10 tackles for loss (including three sacks) and 44 total stops in 12 starts.
5. Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | Florida
A fast and powerful outside linebacker at Florida, Greenard offers athleticism and strength that could easily translate to NFL pass rusher.
6. Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina.
A tweener, with a long, lengthy frame, Strowbridge played well at the point of attack in the ACC and the Senior Bowl, showcasing the ability to win in a one-on-one scenario.
Strowbridge is a physical freak who showed he can be a game wrecker on the inside or off the edge.
7. Raekwon Davis – Alabama
A 1st-round pick had he declared for the draft in 2019, Davis ultimately chose to return to school. Built-in the mode of a DeForest Buckner, Davis still earned second-team All-SEC honors after posting 47 tackles, three for loss, 0.5 sack in 12 starts.
8. John Penisini, DL, Utah
Measuring in at 6-foot-1, 318 pounds, the potential day-3 pick could add size and strength to the Eagles interior defensive line late in the draft process.
9. A.J. Epenesa*, DE, Iowa
A first-round talent, Epenesa had 49 tackles with 11.5 sacks, three passes batted and four forced fumbles in 2019. A possible second-round pick, Epenesa is a solid base end for a 4-3 defense and could be a five-technique end in a 3-4.
Epenesa ended his college career with multi-sack performance against USC left tackle Austin Jackson and also recorded 14 tackles two sacks in a win against Nebraska this year.
10. Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore
The Oklahoma star flashes some pass-rush potential and displayed quickness for his size.
Standing 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, Gallimore has been clocked at a sub-4.8 40-yard dash and is powerful with an almost 800 pound squat.
