The last few days have been busy for the Eagles, with a number of high-profile draft prospects making their way to Philadelphia for official visits.
Although the team's 30 official visits are supposed to remain a secret, they almost never do, and that is once again the case this year. So far 25 of the Eagles' 30 visits are known, giving us all a clue on who the team might take when the 2019 NFL Draft gets underway at the end of the month.
Here is a look at who the Eagles have brought in, organized by projected round:
(Note: Speical h/t to both Bleeding Green Nation and the many members of #EaglesTwitter that do an excellent job finding out and tracking which players make their way to Philadelphia for a visit.)
1st Round: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston, Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson, Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama, Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia, Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State, Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma, Chris Lindstrom, OL, Boston College
Analysis: The interesting part about the seven players the Eagles have brought in that are projected to be first-round picks is that six are projected to go higher than No. 25 overall, the team's current spot. Of the seven, Oliver is the highest-ranked prospect, and it is interesting he would even agree to come to Philadelphia considering he is likely to be gone in the top 12-or-so picks. It is also noteworthy that of the visits we know about, six are positions the Eagles clearly value above others — both lines and the secondary. The lone exception is Jacobs. The Eagles are likely just doing their homework on Jacobs incase things break a way they don't expect on draft night, they can't trade back and Jacobs is just sitting there.
2nd Round: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida, Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State, N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State, Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech, Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia, A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Analysis: Things will really get interesting for the Eagles in the second round, as they currently hold picks 53 and 57. The Eagles have to come away with at least one bonafide starter, whether it be striking on one-of-the-two picks of trading both to move up. The fact they have brought in three receivers that have a second-round grade is interesting. The Eagles have their top three spots figured out with Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson and Nelson Agholor, but they have no depth behind them and are in need of a young player to develop at the position. Gardner-Johnson and Thornhill are two prospects that fit what the Eagles look for in a safety, so it isn't that surprising they brought them in. If the Eagles keep both of their second-round picks, it would be surprising if they didn't take one of those two players.
3rd Round: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State, Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis, Darnell Savage, S, Maryland, L.J. Collier, DE, TCU, Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion, Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State, Mecole Hardman, WR, Georgia
Analysis: The notable name among this group is Henderson, the Memphis running back that was in Philadelphia this week. Henderson would seem to be a perfect compliment to the team's newest running back, Jordan Howard, considering the threat he is out of the backfield. The Eagles currently don't have a third-round pick, so to land Henderson that might need to reach slightly at No. 57, or cross their fingers that he slips to them in the fourth round. Hardman is an interesting visit, as he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and could be viewed as a player to develop for once DeSean Jackson, who is 33-years old, eventually moves on.
4th Round: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston, Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
Analysis: Hill was a workhorse in college, totaling at least 150 carries the last three seasons for 3,539 yards. He would not, however, project to be an impact player in the passing game which would make him an awkward fit with Jordan Howard. The Eagles need a young cornerback to develop, considering both Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby are free agents after this season and just one cornerback on the roster is signed beyond 2020. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Johnson has size that most of the Eagles' cornerbacks do not. Johnson is an interesting prospect because he only recently started playing cornerback, switching over from receiver two years ago. Johnson wouldn't be able to come in and play right away, but is an ideal athlete to bring in and coach up.
5th Round: Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan
Analysis: Higdon, like Henderson, would compliment Howard — but in a much different way. Higdon doesn't have much experience catching the ball, with just 16 catches in his college career. What is he, however, is a home-run threat that is capable of making a big play each time he touches the ball, averaging over 5-yards per carry in each of his last three seasons at Michigan.
6th Round: Trysten Hill, DT, UCF, Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
Analysis: Based on pure talent, Hill is likely much better than a sixth-round prospect, but off-the-field concerns about his work ethic have him projected to go late. Hill is the perfect kind of player to bring in for a visit, as it it gives the Eagles a chance to get to know him up better. The Eagles have a need at defensive tackle, and if Hill does last late into the draft and they feel comfortable following their visit, he could very well be a player they take prior to the sixth round. Hurd needs some developing at receiver, but would immediately be a very interesting player to give head coach Doug Pederson. Hurd playing receiver at Baylor but only after switching from running back at Tennessee. Hurd, 6-foot-5, 227 pounds, could line up all over the field for the Eagles, as he lined up in the slot on 87% of his plays in college, but has the size for the outside and the experience in the backfield. It would be very interesting to see what Pederson could do with a player as explosive and versatile as Hurd.
7th Round: Hjalte Froholdt, G/C, Arkansas
Analysis: Froholdt has experience at both center and left guard at Arkansas, which will be attractive to the Eagles. Forholdt did not allow a sack in either of the last two seasons, according to the Arkansas's website, and could be a nice long-term developmental player for when Jason Kelce does eventually retire.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
