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Eagles’ biggest draft needs as the NFL Combine gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest NFL Draft needs as the Scouting Combine gets underway

The Eagles will have two first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, 18 pending free agents, and a contract extension for quarterback Jalen Hurts, meaning the roster will look different going forward.

Some of the usual suspects or names you’ve grown to love will move on, while younger, more athletic, and dynamic replacements will join a roster looking for a return to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia’s team brass is in Indianapolis to evaluate some of the top talent available and we’re previewing the Eagles’ biggest draft needs.

NFL analyst expects Raiders to franchise tag Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs may not get the opportunity to test free agency if the Raiders decide to franchise tag him.

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs was on a mission in the 2022 NFL regular season. The Las Vegas Raiders declined his fifth-year option and he played like he was ready to hit free agency.

Now, he may not hit free agency at all. The Raiders could franchise tag the star running back and Bill Barnwell of ESPN expects this to be the case.

“(Jacobs) is still only 25, and while it’s tough to count on any back to stay healthy for 340 carries on a year-to-year basis, we do occasionally see backs break through at this point of their career and continue to play at a high level for several seasons to come, with Derrick Henry and Marshawn Lynch as examples.

Pricing out that deal might be tough, if only because the Raiders have a team-friendly fallback option with the franchise tag. General manager Dave Ziegler & Co. could pay Jacobs $10.1 million in 2023 and $12.1 million in 2024 with two franchise tags, which is only a little more than what he might expect to get as the guaranteed money on a multi-year deal.”

If he does get the opportunity to test the market, many would consider him to be the best available running back. The Raiders would be wise to not let him go elsewhere, but it would be interesting to see him perform in a more well-rounded offense.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2023 offseason continues.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

15 potential salary cap casualties the Eagles could target in NFL free agency

With more than half the teams around the NFL looking to cut salary, here are 15 potential salary cap casualties that the Philadelphia Eagles could target in free agency

The NFL offseason is just weeks from officially getting underway and as teams look to cut costs and get under the salary cap, several big names could land in new places.

Teams cut salaries each and every offseason, with some key names landing in the perfect spots for success, while others are just starting the spiral of a career decline or potential retirement.

James Bradberry was a salary cap casualty of the Giants in 2021, with the new head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen needing to trim $12 million of cap space.

Bradberry signed in Philadelphia for $7.5 million, turning that opportunity into an All-Pro season and a chance for a huge payday on the open market.

With the new league year fast approaching, here are 15 potential salary cap casualties the Eagles could target in NFL free agency.

Full 7-round Eagles mock draft 1.0 as we kick off the 2023 NFL offseason

We’re unveiling our initial Philadelphia Eagles 2023 NFL mock draft ahead of NFL free agency and the offseason

We’re a little over one month away from the NFL offseason officially starting with the beginning of a new league year on March 15.

With eyes looking towards the start of free agency, Philadelphia is among a few teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Using a PFF draft simulator and avoiding any trades in this first run-through, the Eagles addressed several needs with their six picks in the selection process.

Marshawn Lynch names three former Alabama RBs as top-5 in the league ahead of 2023 season

Marshawn Lynch puts Najee Harris in his top-5 running backs for the 2023 NFL season.

Former Alabama running backs Derrick Henry, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs were all early-round selections by the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively. Harris and Jacobs have both established themselves as dominant running backs, while Henry has been considered one of the best ball carriers in the league for a few years now.

As the backbone of their offenses, they carry a hefty responsibility of lifting those around them.

Recently, legendary NFL running back Marshawn Lynch joined the I am Athlete podcast and named his top-five running backs in the league for the 2023 season.

Lynch named Henry, Harris and Jacobs along with Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb as the five best running backs in the NFL.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2023 offseason progresses.

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Hall of Fame running back offers impressive NFL comparison for Jahmyr Gibbs

Jahmyr Gibbs is being compared to a legendary Tennessee Titans running back!

LaDainian Tomlinson, a 2017 inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, had high praise and a hefty player comparison for former Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

On NFL Total Access, Tomlinson discussed the speed and versatility of Gibbs. He states that Gibbs could run a 4.2 40-yard dash, which would cause a massive rise on NFL draft boards. He likens his abilities to Tennessee Titans legendary running back Chris Johnson, also known as ‘CJ2K.’

Gibbs began his collegiate career at Georgia Tech and transferred to Alabama in the 2022 offseason. Though he only played one season in Tuscaloosa, fans will remember him for his ability to lift the offense as both a ball carrier and a pass catcher.

In recent mock drafts, Gibbs has been projected to land at No. 30 overall in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"If he runs a 4.2, look out, he might rocket up the draft boards like Chris Johnson" @LT_21 is looking for a CJ2k performance from @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 at the NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/Fr4YnkWXwT

— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) February 21, 2023

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players as the 2023 NFL draft approaches.

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10 NFL draft prospects for the Eagles to watch at the HBCU Legacy Bowl

With the Scouting Combine fast approaching, we’re looking at 10 NFL draft prospects for the Eagles to watch at the HBCU Legacy Bowl

HBCUs have played a vital role in the development and popularity of the NFL, and as we head toward the NFL draft, some of college football’s top athletes will be on display this week.

On Monday, 47 NFL Draft hopefuls from HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) will participate in a Combine at the New Orleans Saints practice facility.

Then, practices will begin on Tuesday before the HBCU Legacy Bowl (Feb. 25, 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network).

Fayetteville State head coach Richard Hayes Jr. and North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver will coach Team Gaither (named after legendary Florida A&M coach Jake Gaither) at the Legacy Bowl. In contrast, Benedict College head coach Chennis Berry and Southern head coach Eric Dooley will lead Team Robinson (named after legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson).

Last year, four HBCU prospects were drafted, including Fayetteville State’s Joshua Williams, who won a Super Bowl ring with Kansas City, and Jackson State’s James Houston, who had eight sacks as a Lions rookie.

With the Eagles having a limited amount of draft picks, we’re previewing 10 players to watch at the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Top 2023 NFL Draft prospects at the Eagles’ biggest positions of need

We’re looking at the top 2023 NFL Draft prospects at the Philadelphia Eagles’ most significant positions of need

The rich are getting richer, and even with a 38-35 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, things are looking promising for the Eagles as the 2023 NFL offseason gets underway.

Thanks to some draft night wizardry from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.

With 18 Eagles set to hit free agency and some roster retooling set to begin, here are the best 2023 NFL draft prospects at the Birds’ biggest positions of need.

Josh Jacobs should expect to receive interest from Miami Dolphins

Could Josh Jacobs be making the move to South Florida and reunite with a handful of his former Alabama teammates?

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs had his fifth-year option declined by the team that drafted him, the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2022, the 2019 first-round draftee was stellar.

On 340 carries, he had 1,653 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also reeled in 53 passes for 400 receiving yards.

With Jacobs now set to become a free agent, he’s expected to be one of the most highly sought-after running backs in the entire league.

One team that Jacobs should expect to at least receive some interest from is the Miami Dolphins, a team that already has a handful of former Alabama stars in key roles.

CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani named one free agent every NFL team ought to prioritize this offseason. For the Dolphins, Dajani thinks Jacobs should be their guy.

“Jacobs was the best running back in the NFL last year, as he rushed for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns,” writes Dajani. “Spotrac believe he’s set to sign a monster four-year, $51.4M extension that carries an AAV of $12.8M to make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL. My personal guess would be lower than that. The Dolphins don’t have a great cap situation, but keep an eye on what Miami does at running back. Jeff Wilson, Mostert, Ahmed and Gaskin are all free agents.”

Miami’s running back situation in 2022 wasn’t the greatest and, as Dajani mentioned, the entire backfield will be free agents this offseason. The front office may elect to bring one or two back, but the offense needs a running back like Jacobs to be rounded out.

Tua Tagovailoa has proven he can be the franchise quarterback the Dolphins drafted him to be, and the receivers around him are among the league’s best. All that’s missing is Jacobs.

There’s no telling what will happen in the 2023 offseason, as many teams, including the Dolphins, will be scrambling to address issues at various positions in hopes of competing for a Super Bowl next season.

Should he join the Dolphins, he would reunite with his former Alabama teammates: Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and Raekwon Davis.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover former Alabama players in the NFL and those that are set to hit free agency.

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7 running back prospects for the Eagles to watch at the 2023 Senior Bowl

We’re looking at seven running back prospects for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 Senior Bowl #TheDraftStartsInMobile

The NFL draft starts in Mobile, and even with the Eagles preparing to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, all eyes this week will be on Alabama, for the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders is an unrestricted free agent and could land a huge deal elsewhere, while Kenneth Gainwell will enter year three.

Boston Scott could move on as well, while Trey Sermon is still under contract.

With kickoff from Mobile just 24 hours away, here are seven running backs to watch at the Senior Bowl on Saturday.