NFL Draft: ESPN analytics ranks 15 most likely picks for the Eagles at No. 32 overall
NFL Draft: ESPN analytics ranks 15 most likely picks for the Eagles at No. 32 overall ESPN analytics ranked the 15 most likely selections at 32nd overall for the Eagles, and Donovan Ezeiruaku was the NFL Draft pick for Philadelphia
We're just days away from the start of the NFL draft, and the next week will feature mock draft projections, expert predictions, and fans clamoring to guess who their favorite teams will select.
ESPN's Draft Day Predictor tool does a great job of estimating the percent chance prospects will be available at each pick.
Here is a behind-the-scenes peek at how ESPN analytics accomplishes that:
'The underlying model is based on prospect grades from Scouts Inc., expert mock drafts, team needs, and a few other factors. The Predictor considers these factors in proportion to how accurate they have been in the past.'
From the 15th-most likely selection down to the highest percentage of chances, the numbers tell us who could be available when Philadelphia is on the clock.
Edge Rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku
Chances taken: 6.5%
The Eagles have to replace edge rusher Josh Sweat, who signed with the Cardinals after getting 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX. Ezeiruaku is a bit undersized (6-3, 248 pounds) but uses his 34-inch arms and elite first-step speed to get around the edge and under the hands of offensive tackles. He was highly productive this past season, with 80 tackles and 16.5 sacks, the second-best mark in the FBS.
CB Maxwell Hairston
Chances taken: 6.4%
During his time at Kentucky, Hairston played in 32 career games with 20 starts. He logged 89 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Added 10 pass breakups, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles
OL Grey Zabel
Chances taken: 5.9%
The Eagles build through the trenches, and Zabel is rising up draft boards and can flourish at three different positions.
DE James Pearce Jr.
Chances taken: 5.7%
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Pearce led Tennessee in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (13), and quarterback hurries (10), while adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2024. Pearce earned first-team All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2023, when he had 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, an interception return for a touchdown and two forced fumbles.
DT Walter Nolen
Chances taken: 5.3%
Philadelphia lost Milton Williams in free agency and has Jordan Davis entering the final year of his rookie deal with a decision about his fifth-year option looming. Nolen can be a game-wrecker on the interior and is athletic enough to be a viable and versatile pass rusher for the Eagles and Vic Fangio.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound dynamo led the Ole Miss defense in 2024, logging 48 tackles (career-high), two pass deflections (career-high), one fumble recovery, and 6.5 sacks (career-high).
DT Kenneth Grant
Chances taken: 4.6%
Kiper lists the 6-3 339-pound Grant as the No. 19 overall prospect for the 2025 draft and the No. 4 draft-eligible defensive tackle prospect. A native of Gary, Indiana, Grant formed the nation's best interior defensive line tandem with Mason Graham, who declared for the draft earlier this month and ranks No. 4 on Kiper's Big Board. Grant led Michigan with two fumble recoveries and ranked second on the team with five pass breakups, adding 3.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 quarterback hurries. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and third-team AP All-America honors. Grant had four tackles and an assisted tackle for loss in Michigan's 13-10 upset win over archrival Ohio State on Nov. 30.
DT Malaki Starks
Chances taken: 4.6%
Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023.
Edge Rusher Mike Green
Chances taken: 4.3%
Last season, as a redshirt sophomore, Green led the FBS in sacks (17.0), tackles for loss (22.5), sack yardage (144), and tackles by a defensive lineman (84).
His 17 sacks established a new Sun Belt Conference record.
CB Azareyeh Thomas
Chances taken: 4.2%
At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, the addition of Thomas, a specialist as an outside press-coverage corner, could allow Cooper DeJean to remain in the slot.
OL Josh Conerly Jr.
Chances taken: 3.9%
Philadelphia loves athletic offensive linemen, and Conerly fits that mold as Lane Johnson's eventual successor. The Seattle native, who started his career as a running back before transitioning to offensive tackle as a sophomore, doesn't turn 22 until November. In his three seasons at Oregon, Conerly Jr. played 41 games and was a two-year starter. He played 1,881 snaps at left tackle in three seasons and had a 78.0 overall grade from PFF for the 2024 season.
OL Josh Simmons
Chances taken: 3.8%
Edge Rusher Nic Scourton
Chances taken: 3.4%
DT Derrick Harmon
Chances taken: 3.0%
WR Trey Amos
Chances taken: 2.8%
OL Tyler Booker
Chances taken: 2.7%
WR Emeka Egbuka
Chances taken: 2.3%
DB Nick Emmanwori
Chances taken: 2.2%
WR Luther Burden III
Chances taken: 2.0%
RB Omarion Hampton
Chances taken: 2.0%
CB Benjamin Morrison
Chances taken: 1.9%
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
Chances taken: 1.8%
CB Jahdae Barron
Chances taken: 1.5%
OL Donovan Jackson
Chances taken: 1.4%
WR Matthew Golden
Chances taken: 1.2%
RB TreVeyon Henderson
Chances taken: 1.1%
OL Aireontae Ersery
Chances taken: 1.1%
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
34 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL: recommended
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
2025 U.S. Open Start Time Thursday, Tee Times, Pairings & ESPN+ Live Streaming Coverage
2025 U.S. Open Start Time Thursday, Tee Times, Pairings & ESPN+ Live Streaming Coverage The 2025 U.S. Open will happen June 12-15 at Oakmont CC (par-70, 7,372 yards) in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Bryson DeChambeau is the defending champion. Ryan Fox shot -18 to win the RBC Canadian Open, with Sam Burns taking second place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. We have what you need to know going into the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open, including player tee times, plus TV and streaming info. Watch the PGA Tour all season long without cable! Start watching now on Fubo. And catch PGA Tour Live streaming, plus tons of other live sports and programming, with ESPN+. Tee times and pairings Hole 10 Round 1 TV & streaming information You can watch USA Network and more on Fubo. ESPN+ is the exclusive home for PGA Tour Live streaming.
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt?
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt? Cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn't the lone notable NFL player to be released from his contract on Monday. The Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt. Could the Seattle Seahawks have interest in adding an off-ball defender of Pratt's caliber? Pratt requested a trade away from the Bengals in February, but a deal never materialized. The former NC State standout finished 10th in tackles last season with 143 takedowns. Those workhorse numbers could always appeal to a defensive-minded head coach like Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks currently have Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight at off-ball linebacker. Jones was re-signed earlier this offseason after recording 94 tackles in 10 games last year. Knight, a fourth-round rookie, exploded onto the scene late, totaling 88 tackles. Though Pratt's tackle numbers were great, the analytics indicate he performed rather poorly last season. Pro Football Focus credited him with a lackluster 53.4 grade in coverage. Coverage used to be Pratt's strong suit, so it's a potential warning sign that he's declining with age. The Seahawks have an ascending linebacker in Knight on an affordable rookie contract. Signing Pratt would potentially stunt his growth, and it's doubtful he'd agree to come to Seattle in a reserve backup role. Ultimately, the Seahawks shouldn't show any interest in signing Pratt.
