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USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Eagles have found valuable versatility in a rookie drafted on Day 3
Eagles are finding versatility in a Day 3 rookie draftee, and that could pay huge dividends down the road. No two NFL Drafts are the same, but whether we realize that or not, the Philadelphia Eagles and every other organization enter them all with similar expectations. No franchise ever displays its mission or game plan audibly, but there are rules that we subconsciously expect each selection meeting to follow. Everything is a crap shoot. Remember that, and the process becomes less stressful (or more so). Most know that. Most know that many of the players selected won't cut the mustard. That's why the selection meeting is an annual event. Still, all 32 teams enter the draft with a plan. Everyone needs something, and they hope to satisfy most of their roster needs through another rookie class. A Day 3 rookie's flexibility may bring future dividends for the Eagles' defense In 2018's draft, the Eagles gambled on Josh Sweat in Round 4, ironically finding him in the same draft that landed Dallas Goedert, Avonte Maddox, and Jordan Mailata. Sweat worked out pretty well for the franchise. In his final act, he came oh so close to being the Super Bowl's MVP trophy this past February. Seven years later, there is hope that Philadelphia may have again struck fourth-round gold in the form of Mac McWilliams. It's too early to tell anything, but so far, he has been impressive, showing versatility that few knew he had outside of the Eagles organization. Throughout training camp, Vic Fangio and the defensive staff have experimented with Williams in the lineup. His five-foot-ten, 191-pound frame suggests he'd be best suited to be Avonte Maddox's replacement and play slot corner as a backup for Cooper DeJean. In various practices, he has been moved all over the lineup. He has played some slot corner, but he has also been worked out at safety and outside corner, seemingly giving Philadelphia all sorts of potential future options. No one should expect McWilliams to play the role of a Swiss-Army knife yet. Remember last offseason. Coach Fangio utilized a similar practice strategy with DeJean, only to tell us that he didn't want to overload the rookie early. Fast forward to the present. DeJean has played the safety role in base sets, and he is expected to continue his role as the starting slot corner, so what does that mean for the 2025 fourth-rounder? Philadelphia appears set at safety. Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown seem to be the starters. Lewis Cine isn't going to work out, but the Eagles drafted an exciting rookie in Andrew Mukuba. The starting outside cornerback role is where questions remain, on one side anyway. Quinyon Mitchell takes over for Darius Slay. Kelee Ringo and Adoree' Jackson were supposed to battle for the other starting spot. The Eagles secretly hopes Ringo will win it. Neither guy has seized the opportunity. It's for that reason that Jakorian Bennett was added via trade. He immediately became part of the CB competition, but adversity came. He has endured a couple of rough practice outings as well. Most of the feedback on McWilliams has been positive. He seemingly knows where to be and what to do more often than not. He has played like a prospect who is wise beyond his years. But, McWilliams isn't capable of catapulting himself into the starting lineup and playing outside cornerback, is he? Well... Why can't he? There is one issue. He lacks size. It may be hard for him to compete physically against some of the larger No. 2 wide receivers the NFL has to offer. That's why Ringo must win this job. He has all of the physical tools. He has the speed to run with anyone. Oh, and by the way... He is another fourth-rounder, one entering the third year of a rookie deal he signed in 2023. Looking for a prediction? Ringo wins the job. Jackson plays the Isaiah Rodgers role. McWilliams gives the Eagles some current-day insurance and another chess piece for Fangio's defense that will eventually pay huge dividends for this organization moving forward.
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Recent Ravens acquisition is a former UDFA with international appeal and breakout potential
Recent Ravens acquisition is a former UDFA with international appeal and breakout potential. Last season, the Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in rushing yards, thanks in part to superhuman showings by Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Jackson threw for 4,172 yards en route to a league-leading QB rating (119.6) and QBR score (77.3). Efforts like that are always deserving of a tip of the cap. For the Ravens, it serves as motivation because, as good as they were, they accomplished all of this knowing full well they could be even better than they were last time we saw them. So, Eric DeCosta went to work. He strengthened Todd Monken's unit with free-agent acquisitions (DeAndre Hopkins) and a Swiss-Army knife-type do-it-all receiver/returner he acquired in the draft (LaJohntay Wester). Last year, the defense improved steadily, and pieces were added on that side of the ball as well, but the Ravens may have a wild card in a former undrafted free agent who is potentially on the verge of a breakout. C.J. Okoye is a potential international star with breakout potential Ravens defensive tackle C.J. Okoye didn't take the traditional path to the NFL. It was a winding road with a few forks. Following an NFL Africa camp where he trained as an offensive lineman and became the camp's MVP, he became one of 38 players to be invited to the NFL International Combine in London, England. He impressed again and was one of 13 players selected by the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. There, he made the final cut and was one of eight players to be allocated to an NFL team. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers. This past January, he signed a future reserve contract to join the Baltimore Ravens. This is a loaded defensive unit. Okoye probably won't be added to the 53-man roster as a nose tackle, seeing as how Baltimore already has Travis Jones and John Jenkins. He is, however, someone worthy of a practice squad position. He played well in the preseason debut, notching three tackles and a quarterback hit. That caught the eye of his head coach, John Harbaugh, and his defensive coordinator, Zachary Orr. "He's really learning how to come out of his hips and strike and shed, stay square in there and play the run," Harbaugh said. "He's gotten some push in pass rush. He's going to be a pocket pusher." International appeal... He has NFL size (he stands at six feet six inches and weighs 370 pounds). Keep an eye on him. You can best believe that those in the know already are.
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Rookie locks in spot with Ravens but wants more than special teams duty
Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester may have locked in a special teams role, but his ambitions extend beyond special teams. #Ravens OC Todd Monken foresees a larger role for rookie WR/PR LaJohntay Wester on offense:'I think down the road, this year and moving forward, he's going to be a heck of a weapon. … He kind of gives us another novelty for Zay Flowers.' In the end, it won't count. LaJohntay Wester's magical punt return during the Baltimore Ravens' first preseason game sent shockwaves through M&T Bank Stadium. It won't be tallied in his career highlights, nor will the win he helped produce be logged on the season's ledger. Who are we kidding, though? We all felt a slight adrenaline rush as it became certain he was in the clear and no one was catching him from behind. The rookie described it as 'build-up' and 'emotion' pouring over. A sixth-round pick during the most recent NFL Draft, there's just something about this guy. No one dedicates an enormous amount of time discussing this, but landing him that late in the selection meeting feels like a steal. Ravens offensive coordinator raved about him recently. The initial 53-man roster hasn't been released yet, but if we were to read between the lines, we'd assume Wester has locked up the returner role with additional duties to be named later. Again, we're going to assume Wester has ended Baltimore's search for a punt returner. Might he provide a Swiss-Army knife of sorts to the offensive attack? That remains to be seen. Wester appeared in 58 games at the collegiate level, including four seasons with the Florida Atlantic Owls and his most recent with the Colorado Buffaloes, produced 326 receptions, 3,634 yards receiving, and 31 receiving touchdowns. He also racked up another 213 yards and a pair of TDs on 37 carries. There's some potential there. We'll see if the Ravens can find unique ways to deploy him this season.
