Philadelphia Eagles Contributing Rookies
By Editorial Staff
NFL Mocks is going to do a team by team look at what rookies have the potential to contribute during their first season. Every year there are countless rookies that have major and minor impacts. Everyone expects the 1st round picks to make an impact but we hope to point out some other players that may help your favorite team win games.
I had an opportunity to spend Saturday afternoon at Eagles training camp and I thought it would be a good way to start off our series of articles about contributing rookies. The Eagles had a very solid draft and from the looks of things they will be counting on several 1st year players to contribute right away. It’s tough being a Bears fan and living in Pennsylvania but football is football!
Nate Allen– It wasn’t a surprise to many when free agent signee Marlin Jackson suffered yet another season ending injury but the injury meant the Eagles were going to have to rely on rookie Nate Allen. On Saturday Allen lined up with the 1st team opposite Quintin Mikell. While Allen might receive some competition from Quintin Demps (had a really nice interception) I think he has an extremely good chance at starting. Allen is a very good cover safety and I remember watching some of the Senior Bowl drills and thinking he could even play some corner in the NFL. Another observation was that Macho Harris lined up exclusively at corner, last season he played safety.
Brandon Graham– Graham was the Eagles first round pick and he is fighting for time in the defensive line rotation. His competition is Juqua Parker and Darryl Trapp and Graham should have no problem getting a lot of snaps. Look for Graham to collect somewhere around 5-8 sacks this season!
Charles Scott– The Eagles signed Mike Bell and still have Leonard Weaver on the roster but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scott get some short yardage carries. Scott is a big back and would be perfect along the goal line.
Trevard Lindley– Lindley was working with the 3rd team defensive backs but this rookie has a chance to climb up the depth chart. Expect to see Lindley contribute on special teams and should someone suffer an injury he could be ready to step in on nickel and dime packages.
Mike Kafka– Ok, this article is suppose to outline immediate contributors but I could help myself. I am a big Kafka fan and feel that he has a chance to develop into a good NFL quarterback. During the limited snaps he took on Saturday he looked pretty impressive. I don’t expect to see him contributing this season but he could make some noise during preseason games.