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With the 138th pick of the RCF Mock Draft the Philadelphia Eagles select...
Bobby Okereke, lb, Stanford
https://youtu.be/2NXYPtPsI5E
Why?
Some may argue the Eagles’ biggest need in the draft this year will be a middle linebacker to fill in for Jordan Hicks. It’s a valid argument; however, the Eagles won’t care for it.
Hicks played under 70-percent of the defensive snaps last season. The more he missed time, the more Nigel Bradham stepped up and played significantly better in Hicks’ absence.
The Eagles are looking to treat the linebacker position similarly to how they handle the backfield – it’s all about rotating guys in and out. Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, Nathan Gerry, and maybe even Paul Worrilow will get a favorable amount of snaps on the defense in 2019.
STRENGTHS: Twitchy athlete…unlocks his hips and instantly accelerates…closes with purpose, especially as a blitzer through gaps or off the edge…elite length for the
position with arms that hang past his knees…creates stopping power as a tackler…processes things quickly, reading his keys and putting himself in position to make
plays…projects well as a cover defender…competes with the desired intensity and toughness…senior captain with the character and preparation expected from an
Eagle Scout…graduated with a degree in management (May 2018)…durable and finished his career with 40 straight starts.
WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t properly use his length to stay clean from blocks…eyes are glued on the backfield and late to locate climbing blockers…too easily lost in
congestion…can be driven from his spot…overaggressive and misdirection can get him off schedule…needs to improve his breakdown and positioning skills to
eliminate the missed tackles…needs to load more ammo in his hands to create movement as a blitzer…inconsistent coverage depth and awareness in zone.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Stanford, Okereke stepped into the starting rotation as a sophomore and helped fill the void left by Blake Martinez, lining up as
the inside SAM linebacker in the Cardinal 3-4 base scheme. He was a senior captain and his coaches (high school and college) talk glowingly about his intangibles.
Okereke will take the occasional false step because of his instant reactor, but his diagnose skills improved each season and are now a strength to his game. As a
tackler, his strength doesn’t match his intentions and he leaves production on the field, struggling to leverage and detach from blocks.
Overall, Okereke offers the
play speed, length and intelligence required for the NFL game, but it will be tough for him to secure a starting role until he improves his take-on skills and play strength, projecting as a nickel linebacker and special teamer with starting upside.
Bobby Okereke, lb, Stanford
https://youtu.be/2NXYPtPsI5E
Why?
Some may argue the Eagles’ biggest need in the draft this year will be a middle linebacker to fill in for Jordan Hicks. It’s a valid argument; however, the Eagles won’t care for it.
Hicks played under 70-percent of the defensive snaps last season. The more he missed time, the more Nigel Bradham stepped up and played significantly better in Hicks’ absence.
The Eagles are looking to treat the linebacker position similarly to how they handle the backfield – it’s all about rotating guys in and out. Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, Nathan Gerry, and maybe even Paul Worrilow will get a favorable amount of snaps on the defense in 2019.
STRENGTHS: Twitchy athlete…unlocks his hips and instantly accelerates…closes with purpose, especially as a blitzer through gaps or off the edge…elite length for the
position with arms that hang past his knees…creates stopping power as a tackler…processes things quickly, reading his keys and putting himself in position to make
plays…projects well as a cover defender…competes with the desired intensity and toughness…senior captain with the character and preparation expected from an
Eagle Scout…graduated with a degree in management (May 2018)…durable and finished his career with 40 straight starts.
WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t properly use his length to stay clean from blocks…eyes are glued on the backfield and late to locate climbing blockers…too easily lost in
congestion…can be driven from his spot…overaggressive and misdirection can get him off schedule…needs to improve his breakdown and positioning skills to
eliminate the missed tackles…needs to load more ammo in his hands to create movement as a blitzer…inconsistent coverage depth and awareness in zone.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Stanford, Okereke stepped into the starting rotation as a sophomore and helped fill the void left by Blake Martinez, lining up as
the inside SAM linebacker in the Cardinal 3-4 base scheme. He was a senior captain and his coaches (high school and college) talk glowingly about his intangibles.
Okereke will take the occasional false step because of his instant reactor, but his diagnose skills improved each season and are now a strength to his game. As a
tackler, his strength doesn’t match his intentions and he leaves production on the field, struggling to leverage and detach from blocks.
Overall, Okereke offers the
play speed, length and intelligence required for the NFL game, but it will be tough for him to secure a starting role until he improves his take-on skills and play strength, projecting as a nickel linebacker and special teamer with starting upside.
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