Prospect Watching

The NFL Scouting Combine is here. Kicking off the week Tuesday will be general managers and head coaches across the league — Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni will speak at 2:45 and 3 p.m., respectively — and we’ll hear from the invited prospects at the podiums beginning Wednesday.

It’s an important week for teams as they plan for the future, while prospects will be poked and prodded and undergo an interview process with teams that can only be compared to speed dating.

The Eagles, like every team, have an assortment of needs. That evaluation process, for all intents and purposes, begins this week.

Listed below are a collection of tight ends and edge rushers I’ll be focused on this week in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine:

The top TE of the 2006 class, can Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq fall to the Eagles in the first round?

TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The cream of the crop at the position this go-round, Sadiq might be just out of reach for the Eagles as they currently stand, though wholly worthy of a first-round selection. Sadiq, 20, appeared in 42 games for the Ducks, accounting for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 receptions. While the 2024 season served as the table-setter, 2025 would prove to be a breakthrough for Sadiq, who rolled up 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 51 receptions. He earned first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors for his efforts.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound prospect looks as if he’s chiseled from granite, which aids in his ability to ward off defenders, attack the catch point, and win in confined spaces. Polished as a route-runner, Sadiq’s patterns emulate that of a wide receiver, which should make for a seamless transition. And for those wondering about his blocking prowess, what Sadiq put on tape indicates he offers upside there, as well. There Oregon product has the makings of an early-impact player.

TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

The well-traveled Stowers (6-4, 235) has been on my radar for a couple of years. His career began at Texas A&M, with a one-year stop at New Mexico State, before emerging as a household name during his two seasons at Vanderbilt. An All-SEC first-team selection in 2024 after nabbing 49 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns, Stowers was the center of attention going into 2025 to see what he’d do for an encore. He answered with 769 yards and four touchdowns on 62 receptions. There was even a two-game span in which Stowers combined for 19 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns in games against Texas and Auburn.

Stowers, a converted quarterback, has only been playing the position for three seasons, suggesting he’s only scratching the surface. It’s fair to classify him as more of a finesse player — his blocking needs work and he’ll need to be more consistent in attacking contested throws and playing through contact — but he’s proven himself to be a dynamic, fluid mover who can generate explosive plays downfield. Going into the Combine, he’s my TE2.

TE Max Klare, Ohio State

Klare (6-5, 243) was the player at the position I mocked to the Eagles in my “DiCecco Mock Draft 1.0,” and for good reason. His natural feel for route running and knack for finding soft spots in zone complements his dependable hands and ability to play through contact. In some ways, Klare reminds me a bit of former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, though Klare enters the league with better marks as a blocker. After spending his first three seasons at Purdue, Klare transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2025 season, reeling in 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Klare accounted for 1,329 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 116 catches.

Klare is a high-level athlete who could quickly become a safety valve for a quarterback due to his receiving prowess. But like many players at his position, to become a more complete player, his blocking needs refinement.

TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

Trigg (6-4, 240) is a bit on the older side — he’ll be 24 by training camp — but his development over five seasons makes for an intriguing projection at the next level. He arrived at Baylor in 2024 by way of Ole Miss, where he spent two seasons, and his first stop was at USC. Combining for only 58 catches over his first four seasons, Trigg would experience a breakout in 2025 with 50 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns — all career highs — earning him an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

His blocking needs polish, but Trigg could help immediately as a receiver, where his athleticism and body control make him a three-level threat who can garner mismatches. Perhaps most appealing is that Trigg can be deployed in a multitude of formations. Age and production might conjure skepticism, but Trigg’s stock should rise with what’s expected to be a fruitful NFL Combine.

The Eagles always have eyes on good EDGE prospects, like Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.

EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech’s David Bailey are at the head of the class, so I’ve omitted them for obvious reasons. Still, there are a number of enticing quarterback hunters who fit the bill for what the Eagles typically covet, who are expected to be available when the team is on the clock during the early rounds.

Howell (6-2, 248), who began his career at Bowling Green, produced 71 tackles (22.5 for loss), 15.5 sacks, 14 passes defended and an interception for the Aggies over 26 games. Twitchy and flexible, Howell also demonstrates a sound plan, along with enough varied pass-rush maneuvers, that should translate at the next level. He’ll need to develop strength to adequately hold the point of attack on run downs, but could carve out a role early as a situational rusher.

EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

A three-year player for the Tigers, Parker (6-3, 260) started 29 of 39 career games, collecting 144 tackles (41.5 for loss), 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. His 21.5 career sacks qualify as 10th-most in program history. For those in search of a game from last season that best underscores his pro potential, check out the Tigers’ late November game against South Carolina, when Parker registered three sacks and recovered a fumble.

What really stands out when watching Parker is his power, violent approach, and ability to anchor in the run game, traits that figure to translate into early down impact. The proficiency in setting the edge feels notable as it pertains to the Eagles, as Jaelan Phillips, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt all share that same ability.

EDGE R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Thomas (6-2, 249), who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played at Oklahoma for all four seasons, but it was the final two that vaulted him onto the NFL radar. For perspective, Thomas appeared in 23 games over that span, including 20 starts, combining for 15.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss. The game against Auburn last season perhaps best exemplified Thomas’ ability to be disruptive, producing a pair of sacks an a safety. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts.

His lack of length is a valid concern, revealing itself at times whenever Thomas would tangle with stout and heavy-handed tackles and require involvement in the run game, but if you’re looking for explosiveness and twitch, he certainly checks those boxes. Thomas is uber-athletic with plus agility and could thrive playing behind the Eagles’ defensive front in a rotational role to start.

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