The 2022 Senior Bowl is fascinting for Philadelphia Eagles nation
By: Jacob Keppen
We are officially under 50 days away from the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Seen as the first stop of the draft, the Senior Bowl is an annual postseason college football all-star game featuring many of the top graduated players heading into the draft in April. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, and Packers star lineman Elgton Jenkins are just three of the many players to showcase their talents down in Mobile. Here are five players that Eagles fans should keep an eye out for at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
- Abram Smith, RB Baylor
The Eagles offense has been at its best this year when it sticks to a powerful run game. The Eagles still have one of the best offensive lines in the game, making some key replenishments over the past few seasons. Jordan Mailata has looked every bit the part of a franchise left tackle, especially in the run game where his size and athleticism really show. Rookie left guard Landon Dickerson has been a great addition to the line, Mailata, and Dickerson harkening back to the days of Jason Peters and Evan Mathis.
Jordan Howard has been capable as a power runner for the Eagles this season, showing just how well a strong powerful runner can do in Nick Sirriani’s offense. Abram Smith fits the bill of a strong, powerful rusher, routinely breaking tackles in a 1,429-yard campaign for the Bears. A former linebacker who had over 10 tackles in three contests last year, Abram brings that same physicality to the offensive side of the ball.
- Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina
Dallas Goedert looks to be playing at the level every Eagles fan knew he could this season. Featured as the defacto #2 weapon beside Devonta Smith, and with Zach Ertz off to Arizona, Goedert has put together an extremely strong campaign so far. The #1 tight end situation might be figured out in Philadelphia, but they should still look for a complementary tight end if the price is right.
While rookie Jack Stoll and former quarterback Tyree Jackson are fine developmental pieces, Jackson receiving a good amount of hype in the preshttps://twitter.com/PFNDraft/status/1472027992914378755?s=20eason, they still have only combined for three catches this season. Isaiah Likely is a home run hitting tight end, averaging over 15 yards a reception this year and 20 last year. He is athletic and could pair well next to Goedert.
- Alec Pierce, WR Cincinnati
The Eagles drafted Devonta Smith with the 10th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft. The Eagles wide receiver situation is solved and will never come up again! Until it did immediately the first week of the season”¦ It turns out just having one good-quality receiver isn’t enough in today’s NFL. While Quez Watkins is a fine speedster off the bench who maybe can be the 3rd receiver eventually, Jalen Reagor currently does not look like an NFL player. The Eagles have to keep swinging at wide receiver, and if they don’t take a pass-catcher with one of their three first-round picks, Cincy’s Alec Pierce is a name to watch out for.
Alec Pierce is a quarterback’s best friend. With a big frame at 6’3 213, Pierce is the perfect jump ball receiver to make any signal caller’s day easier. There are countless times on film where a throw will be a bit inaccurate or late and Pierce will use his long arms to come down with the catch. On a team that really needs a bigger target on the perimeter, the tallest wide receiver on the roster J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (yeah”¦) Pierce would immediately have a role in the Eagles offense. The upcoming Cotton Bowl against Alabama and Senior Bowl will be immense for the smaller school receiver.
- Dylan Parham, OL Memphis
Yes, the Eagles offensive line is one of the best in the league, but how did they get this way? How have the Eagles pretty much been able to have a top offensive line in the league over the past decade? There are two big reasons. O-Line coach Jeff Stoutland is one of the best overall position coaches in football, and they constantly draft new talent.
Over the past two years, Landon Dickerson and Jack Driscoll have stepped in to play guard, both not looking out of place at all. The Eagles have the next-man-up mentality with their linemen, and it’s helped them over the years. The Eagles have found many quality linemen outside of the first round such as guard Isaac Seumalo in the third round, guard Landon Dickerson in the second round, and tackle Jordan Mailata in the seventh round. You can never have too many linemen.
Dylan Parham is a prospect who has played nearly everywhere for the Tigers. With experience at both guard positions and at right tackle (Don’t expect to see him play there at only 6’3 285) Parham is a versatile piece who can fill a variety of roles as a backup. With roster space limited, you want your backups to be able to fill a variety of positions. There have been talks of playing Parham at the center at the Senior Bowl, and if that goes well the Eagles should be even more interested in the Memphis Tiger.
- Jaquan Brisker, SAF Penn State
Safety is arguably the position most needed for the Eagles moving forward. While Anthony Harris has been fine for the Eagles this year, he is 30 years old. Rodney McLeod is also on the other side of 30 as well. While Marcus Epps has shown to be a solid third safety, second-year player K’Von Wallace hasn’t been able to see the field much this year. Safety is a huge need moving forward for Philadelphia so why not keep Jaquan Brisker in state.
As previously mentioned with Parham, versatility is so valuable in today’s NFL. Jaquan Brisker is a safety who can play a variety of roles for the Eagles defense. Brisker has the speed and range to make plays down field in coverage but also uses his athleticism in combination with great aggression as a run defender. He gives 110% effort and would be a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Watch out for him in Mobile.