Eagles Draft Preview: Interior D-Line - Options for Philly in 1st Round?

PHILADELPHIA - By Day 2 of the draft at the latest, expect the Philadelphia Eagles to add to the interior of their defensive line.

By average standards having a veteran like Fletcher Cox to mentor emerging young players like Jordan Davis, a 2022 first-round pick, and Milton Williams, is a nice place to start but understand the Eagles were so deep and talented on the interior last season that it looks thin right now.

That’s because double-digit sack producer Javon Hargrave signed a big-money deal with San Francisco and veteran ring-shoppers Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh remain on the market and may stay there again until in-season again while trying to replicate the new market they created by arriving in Philadelphia back in November.

For now the projected top trio inside for defensive line coach Tracy Rocker has been bolstered by free agent Kentavius Street, who signed a one-year prove-it deal, and the returning Marlon Tuipulotu, who suffered a PCL knee injury that limited him to nine games last season.

Also around are Marvin Wilson on a futures deal, as well as Noah Elliss, the bother of Eagles linebacker and special teams standout Christian Elliss.

The hope is that Davis takes a big leap in his sophomore season while Williams turns the corner from capable reserve to emerging starter.

The biggest need figures to be the so-called gap-and-a-half players for the Vic Fangio-inspired defense that Philadelphia runs with each flavor in play, the run-stiffing backup to Davis, or the toggling from three-technique out to 4i that Cox and Williams are often tasked with.

DRAFT DAY BOTTOM LINE: The Eagles are going to add at DT and they’ve done extensive homework at all three levels starting with Carter down to potential Day 3 diamonds in the rough like Western Kentucky’s Brodric Martin.

EAGLES DEFENSIVE INTERIOR DEPTH CHART:

Zero/one-technique - Jordan Davis; Marlon Tuipuloto; Marvin Wilson; Noah Elliss

4/3/5 techniques - Fletcher Cox; Milton Williams; Kentavius Street

EAGLES TODAY TOP 10 (we asked three former NFL scouts for their top 10 at the position and came up with a cumulative list):

1. Jalen Carter, Georgia

2. Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

3. Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern - Inside/outside versatility

4. Bryan Bresee, Clemson

5. Gervon Dexter, Florida

6. Mazi Smith, Michigan

7. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

8. Siaku Ika, Baylor

9. Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

10. Byron Young, Alabama

Sleeper - Karl Brooks, Bowling Green

Boom or Bust - Jalen Carter, Georgia

BUILDING THE PERFECT EDGE RUSHER

Pass rush - Jalen Carter, Georgia - It’s Carter by a country mile here. He’s a potential game-wrecker if everything goes to plan.

Run support - Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin - A wide body who understands the role of tying blockers up so others can make plays.

First-step explosion - Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh - The Aaron Donald comps come naturally because he’s an undersized DT from Pitt but it’s unfair to compare anyone to an all-time great. That said, Kancey has one of the fastest get-offs since guess who?

Power - Mazi Smith, Michigan - Smith put up 225, 34 times at the combine and the thought is that he will only get stronger in an NFL weight room.

Finisher - Jalen Carter, Georgia - Carter laps every other defensive tackle in this class when it comes to getting to the quarterback.

PRE-DRAFT PROCESS NOTES:

- The Eagles have looked at a ton of interior defensive linemen so there is no smokescreen here. It’s a position the organization values and there is a need.

In for top-30 visits were Jalen Carter, Bryan Bresee, Gervon Dexter, Mazi Smith, Jaquelin Roy of LSU, Jayson Ademilola of Notre Dame, and Brodic Martin of Western Kentucky. Philadelphia also did its homework on Adetomiwa Adebawore and Bryan Young.

Eagles Potential Picks:

Day 1 - Jalen Carter, Georgia; Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern; Bryan Bresee, Clemson

- Carter is the only option at No. 10 if he falls due to off-the-field concerns. The more likely end game is having to trade up for the Georgia star. Multiple sources have said the Eagles really like Adebawore and his versatility so don’t sleep on him if Philadelphia can’t get Carter. Bresee would be behind Adebawore.

Day 2 - Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern; Bryan Bresee; Gervon Dexter, Mazi Smith, Bryan Young

- Adebawore and Bresee would be targeted trade-down options while Dexter, Smith, and Young are legit possibilities in Rounds 2 and 3.

Day 3 - Jaquelin Roy of LSU, Jayson Ademilola of Notre Dame, and Brodic Martin of Western Kentucky

- The problem for the Eagles here is that the position is not that deep as a whole so others will pluck off capable defensive tackles sooner than expected. Philadelphia will have to add some picks early in Day 3 if they want the pick of the litter that’s left.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen