Soaring Stock

With all prospect workouts and interviews finished, the book has closed on the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

The annual event, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, presented the opportunity of a lifetime for an exclusive group of draft eligible prospects who underwent everything from comprehensive medical evaluations to formal and informal interviews before the nationally televised athletic testing.

The Eagles, who – like most teams – are in the beginning stages of restoring their respective roster, got a bird’s eye view of several prospects of interest throughout the week.

Here’s a look at some of the prospects who helped their cause throughout the week.

GETTY IMAGES: QB Joe Milton showcased his cannon arm at the Combine

QB Joe Milton, Tennessee

Milton, who measured in at a touch over 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, showcased a powerful arm laced with the perfect amount of touch during the on-field period. On one occasion, Milton hoisted a perfectly placed deep shot to Mississippi State wideout Lideatrick Griffin, which according to Next Gen Stats traveled 73.5 air yards. The arm talent was always apparent with Milton but his improved accuracy was a notable development. Stock up.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

A victim of the logjam of running backs, many of which carried similar projections entering last week, Wright dazzled with his burst, acceleration and dynamic traits. Wright clocked a 4.38 40-yard dash – second among running backs – while also recording an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump (first) and 38-inch vertical leap.

The explosive testing numbers matched the home-run hitting ability he showed on tape. Now a household name, Wright perhaps helped himself more than any player at his position. Wright – my favorite running back in this class – likely cemented his status as the second running back to hear his name called during draft weekend.

RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

Guerendo, a Wisconsin transfer, was stuck in a timeshare in his lone season at Louisville, splitting time with Jawhar Jordan. The sturdily built Guerendo (6-0, 221) enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, rushing for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns. In Indianapolis, Guerendo posted 41.5-inch vertical leap and a 4.33 40-yard dash, both qualifying as first among running backs. Once a projected priority free agent due to sporadic production, Guerendo likely vaulted himself into Day 3 conversation.

Sticking with the running back theme, perhaps lost was the blazing 40-yard dash of Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden (5-8, 187), who notably clocked a 4.45. Shirden also finished in a three-way tie for the fastest 10-yard split time (1.51 seconds).

GETTY IMAGES: After a record-setting 40-yard dash, former Texas WR Xavier Worthy hopes to creep into the first round.

WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

All Worthy did was run his way into the NFL Scouting Combine record book, registering an otherworldly 4.21 40-yard dash, eclipsing a record previously held by former Washington receiver John Ross, a top-10 pick by the Bengals. Boasting a lightning-quick time Saturday evening likely made Worthy more money. While his slender frame will inevitably draw comparisons to former Eagles great DeSean Jackson, I’m not sure his blistering 40 time will vault Worthy into first-round conversation, but the former Texas wideout – like Jackson – should land within the top 50 picks.

WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

If you’re a team in need of a Day 1 starting slot receiver, Pearsall is your guy. Pearsall (6-1, 189) produced a 4.41 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical that ranked third among wide receivers, a 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump and 6.64 three-cone that led all receivers. The Florida product, who quite possibly could be the most proficient route-runner of his class, offers boundary-slot versatility, vice-grip hands, and fearlessness pursuing the football in traffic. He should thrive as a vertical slot. Initially a projected third-round pick, the thinking here is that Pearsall could’ve crept into late second-round territory.

WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona

Cowing (5-8, 168), who sustained an injury at the Senior Bowl, gave evaluators little choice than to overlook his slight frame, turning in an eye-popping performance in Indy. The former Wildcat recorded a 4.38 40-yard dash, in addition to showcasing exceptional fluidity and concentration during the gauntlet drill. Cowing also has razor-sharp route running and nifty short-area quickness in his arsenal. Given the 2023 success of Texans receiver Tank Dell, Cowing could draw similar comparisons. In my eyes, Cowing solidified himself as a late Day 2 pick.

One would be remiss to ignore the testing from Southeast Missouri State product Ryan Flournoy, who clocked a 4.4 40-yard dash to go along with an 11-foot broad jump (fourth among WRs), 39.50-inch vertical and produced 19 reps on the bench press (fourth) following a productive Senior Bowl showing. Stock up.

DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

Demonstrating ballerina feet and movement like someone with their hair on fire, Fiske (6-4, 292) turned in jaw-dropping results. The nimble Fiske placed first at his position in the 40-yard dash (4.78), broad jump (9-feet, 9-inches) and vertical jump (33.5 inches). Originally beginning his collegiate career at Western Michigan before transferring to Florida State ahead of the 2023 season, Fiske combined for 12 sacks and 21 tackles over the past two seasons. As things stand, I think Fiske sneaks into the back end of the first-round.

GETTY IMAGES: Undersized, but cat-like off scrimmage, Chop Robinson’s explosion could land him as another Penn State first-round pick.

EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

At 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, Robinson might have a slighter build for his position than typically desired, but his testing reaffirmed that the Penn State product boasts explosive, twitched-up traits sure to entice. Robinson clocked a 4.48 40-yard dash (second among edge rushers), 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump (second), 34.5-inch vertical leap, and a 1.54 split (first). Robinson could potentially enter the first-round discussion, similar to former Penn State teammate Odafe Oweh.

EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

Turner took first in the 40-yard dash (4.46) and vertical (40.5 inches), while also measuring in with an 83-inch wingspan. The uber-athletic Alabama pass-rusher boasts an explosive first step and strikes with heavy, violent hands. He’s also scheme versatile, which only adds to the appeal. Turner is undersized for the position, which could cause reluctance for some, but he has the tools to be an early-impact defender.

CB Max Melton, Rutgers

Melton, a product of South Jersey’s Cedar Creek High School, blew the doors off of Lucas Oil Stadium, leaving Indianapolis as a household name. The younger brother of Packers wideout Bo Melton posted a 4.39 40-yard dash, 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump (first among cornerbacks) and a 40.5-inch vertical (fourth). Melton offers an intriguing blend of length, athleticism, high-level football intelligence and the ability to play inside or outside, though he best projects as a slot at the pro level. Wherever you have Melton on your boards, move him up.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.