Eagles draft prospect tracker: Anton Harrison, Will McDonald IV, Brian Branch, and Deonte Banks among latest top-30 visits

As we inch closer to the 2023 NFL draft, the Eagles will scout prospects either at their pro day or by bringing them to Philadelphia to visit their facilities.

The Birds, along with the other 31 teams, are allotted 30 private meetings with draft prospects, but players who are local to the NFL teams don’t count toward those private meetings.

With two first-round picks and three picks total on the first two days of the draft, the Eagles are in position to select premium players as they look to continue bolstering a roster that lost several players in free agency.

» READ MORE: Inside Eagles free agency and Howie Roseman’s handling of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Fletcher Cox, and Darius Slay

Here’s a look at reported top-30 visits for the Eagles, although every visit won’t be made public.

Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison, a projected early-round pick, will have a top 30 visit with the Eagles, according to Underdog Fantasy’s Josh Norris.

A three-year starter with the Sooners at left tackle, Harrison possesses adequate length, showcases excellent lateral agility and is fundamentally sound with his hand placement and pad level at the point of attack. His patient but active hands, solid anchor and intelligence in his pass protection sets, with the athleticism to mirror rushers, place him in the tier of one of the top five or six tackles in the draft class.

Still in need of becoming a better run blocker, in terms of hand placement and playing with more power and control, Harrison, at 6-4, 315 with 34 1/8-inch arms, uses his length and savvy protection tool bag to keep defenders at bay. A likely true tackle at the NFL level, Harrison, if drafted by the Eagles, will likely be a long-term replacement for Lane Johnson, serving as a potential depth swing tackle as he continues to develop.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Which offensive tackle prospect will become the heir apparent to Lane Johnson?

One of the top safety prospects in the 2023 NFL draft, Alabama’s Brian Branch had a pre-draft visit with the Eagles, according to NFL Network.

Pound for pound, Branch, a hybrid defensive back, may be one of the 10 best players in this year’s draft. Although he possesses a wiry frame (6-foot, 190 pounds) with just under 31-inch arms, Branch, who primarily played the nickel position for the Crimson Tide, made plays in zone and man coverages. He also proved a nuisance to opposing offenses as a blitzer, disrupting run plays and getting after the quarterback for sacks (three).

Branch specifically excels in undercutting routes in man coverage while showing the spatial awareness to get into passing lanes from his zone drops. His role at the NFL level isn’t exactly clear, but he has the baseline to be an excellent nickel corner with the instincts, physicality, and ball skills to play safety. He could fit in the Eagles defense in a variety of ways, from the nickel to playing as one of the two-high safeties alongside either free agency acquisition Justin Evans or Reed Blankenship.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Breaking down the 2023 safety class led by Alabama’s Brian Branch

One of the top defensive backs in the 2023 NFL draft class, Maryland’s Deonte Banks, who blew up the combine, had a top-30 visit with the Eagles, according to NFL Network.

A physical corner who thrives in press man coverage, squeezing receivers to the sideline in off-man coverage, Banks is competitive at the catch point with the ability to bully receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Coming off an injury-filled 2021, Banks doesn’t have ideal ball production (two career interceptions) and struggles with anticipating route combinations in man and zone coverages. When his back is to the quarterback, Banks has inconsistencies anticipating routes. Overall, though, Banks is a smooth, physical corner with plenty of upside and size, and has the skill set to compete for a starting corner spot on an NFL roster. He can be a long-term answer at corner whenever the Eagles move on from Darius Slay or James Bradberry.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Sizing up deep cornerback class after Birds bring back Darius Slay, James Bradberry

One of the more flexible and explosive pass rushers in the 2023 NFL draft, Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, had a top-30 visit with the Eagles, according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline.

McDonald, who was used out of position in the Cyclones’ 3-3-5 scheme, finished 2022 with 36 tackles (7.5 for loss), a team-high five sacks, and four pass breakups while playing mostly in 5 technique or 4i alignment, despite having the build of an outside linebacker (6-foot-4, 239 pounds). The Iowa State pass rusher has the ankle flexibility, the first-step quickness, and a sick spin move to devastate tackles at the apex of pass rushes.

“I was expecting that, going into the NFL, that’s what teams are probably going to use me to do, two-point stance, coming off the edge, dropping in [coverage] a little bit and rushing the passer,” McDonald told the Inquirer at the Senior Bowl.

“Kind of like Micah Parsons ... Maxx Crosby, I kind of replicate my game off of them, Von Miller too,” McDonald added.

While McDonald needs to improve setting the edge in the run game and becoming a better overall run defender, he has the natural ability to get after the passer and can be a third-down pass rush specialist for the Eagles.

» READ MORE: Senior Bowl practice standouts: DL Keion White, DB Tyrique Stevenson could be options for Eagles in draft

After Paris Johnson reportedly had a top-30 visit with the Eagles, the other book end tackle for Ohio State, Dawand Jones, is also visiting with the Birds, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

A massive, hulking player who measured in at 6-foot-8, 374 pounds, Jones overwhelms defenders with his powerful initial punch and upper-body strength in run game, while using his massive size to mirror and mitigate pass rushers. With surprisingly nimble feet in pass protection — and boasting an impressive 7-foot-6 wingspan — Jones vastly improved playing with better leverage and has a nasty snatch-trap maneuver that he utilized in the CFB Semifinal game against projected early first-rounder Jalen Carter.

Jones participated in just one day of the Senior Bowl and dominated each subsection of pass rushers, from flexible rushers to power rushers. He won’t wow you with athleticism or speed, but in a scheme where Jones can get downhill quickly in the run game, he can reset the line of scrimmage and create lanes. While he doesn’t have other positional versatility, lining up at right tackle his entire career, Jones can be a long-term answer after Lane Johnson hangs up his cleats, creating one of the biggest tackle rooms in the NFL alongside Jordan Mailata.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Dawand Jones are alluring options to be Lane Johnson’s heir apparent

As one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the class, Ohio State’s Paris Johnson will be in Philadelphia to visit the Eagles, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo.

A smooth mover at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds with absurd 36-inch arms, Johnson Jr. has incredible foot quickness to mitigate speed rushers and quick hand replacement to ward off power rushes. Johnson not only has the size and athleticism to play multiple positions on the offensive line (he played right guard in 2021), but also the core strength to stand his ground against players who may be bigger and stronger than him.

The former Buckeyes tackle and guard makes sense for the Eagles, considering he has played the exact position of need the Birds have: right guard. His ability to block on the move, specifically in the running game, allows his athleticism to shine through, cutting off backside defensive ends and pulling out on the perimeter. Johnson would certainly be in play at 10 overall for the Eagles.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Dawand Jones are alluring options to be Lane Johnson’s heir apparent

The Eagles recently brought in versatile Utah offensive linemen Braeden Daniels for a pre-draft visit, according to Matt Zenitz of On3Sports.

Displaying desirable flexibility and run-blocking power, Daniels has the size (6-foot-4, 294 pounds) and athleticism to be a versatile selection in the fourth round. Playing several positions along the offensive line over 49 career games with 43 starts (18 at LG, 14 at LT, 11 at RT), Daniels was the Utes’ starting left tackle in 2022, but played at both guard and tackle in 2021 (three games at LG, 11 at RT).

His active, heavy hands, specifically in the run game where he thrived in combo blocks, allowed him to climb to the second level and carve lanes for his running backs throughout his career. Improving his footwork and core strength will be the key to his development, but his ability to fit anywhere along the offensive line will allow him to be molded as either a long-term guard or tackle.

Defensive line continues to be a position of interest for the Eagles, after recently bringing in Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith in for a visit, according to NFL Network.

At 6-foot-3, 323 pounds, Mazi Smith has a rare mix of athleticism and power. He was mostly utilized to stuff run gaps for the Wolverines, collecting 48 tackles, (2.5 for loss) en route to collecting first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. With space-eating potential on the interior, Mazi Smith must improve on remaining stout against double teams and refining his pass rush plan.

The Inquirer’s EJ Smith recently profiled Mazi Smith in a breakdown of the defensive tackle class, and here’s what he had to say about the Michigan defensive tackle:

He was primarily used as a run-stuffer for Michigan, lining up over the center in a four-point stance most of the time. He had some snaps as a three-technique as well, where his strength was on display. Any team drafting [Mazi] Smith to play somewhere other than head-up on the center will have to glean whether he can unlock more explosiveness out of a three-point stance with the freedom to get upfield rather than plug gaps. If the Eagles feel he can do that, [Mazi] Smith would give them another special athlete to pair with [Jordan] Davis on what would be a gargantuan interior defensive line.

His style of play isn’t a major need for the Eagles currently, but his explosiveness at splitting gaps and causing havoc in the backfield could pair nicely alongside Davis.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Could the Birds target Georgia’s Jalen Carter as a Javon Hargrave replacement?

Even though the Eagles are set with Jalen Hurts — and Marcus Mariota as his backup — the Birds have still scheduled with a meeting with UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

This is the second meeting between Robinson and the Eagles, with the pair also meeting at the NFL combine last month. With experience in an offense similar to the RPO-based one that the Eagles run, Thompson-Robinson could be a match as a long-term developmental backup for the Birds.

Thompson-Robinson improved as a passer each season after playing just one year at quarterback in high school. With his dynamic ability to extend plays with his legs and rip passes over the middle of the field, Thompson-Robinson has tools worth honing and developing in the Eagles system.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Could Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Jaren Hall entice the Birds after the top four QBs?

Oklahoma State’s Jason Taylor II, a versatile, ball-hawking safety prospect in the 2023 class, has a visit scheduled with the Eagles, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

Playing a split-safety role for the Cowboys, Taylor is a magnet around the football, collecting first-team all-conference recognition and leading his team with 99 tackles (3.5 for loss) and six interceptions in 2022. His 80 solo tackles ranked fourth in the FBS, showcasing his range and reliability as an open-field tackler from depth and in the box.

Although he can be beat over the top as a single-high safety, Taylor is an instinctive, sound tackler who brings special teams upside as well. The Cowboys standout can be an exceptional depth piece in the Eagles new-look safety room.

Talented and rangy defensive back Julius Brents, a big riser throughout the draft process, has scheduled a meeting with the Eagles, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

Possessing an 82 7/8-inch wingspan at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, Brents has the elite change-of-direction ability and size to take the NFL by storm early in his career. After having an outstanding combine — he ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash and a 4.05 20-yard shuttle, posted a 41.5-inch vertical, and dominated the on-field drills with smooth hip transitions — Brents proved he has rare athleticism at his size.

A scheme-versatile player, the Kansas State defensive back excels at making plays on the ball in man and zone coverages. His smooth transitions out of his backpedal at his size are a marvel to watch. Improving locating the football consistently in man coverage will be the next step in his development, but his intriguing profile will likely see him come off the board on mid-Day 2 of the draft.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: A deep 2023 Senior Bowl defensive class could help bolster the Birds’ roster

Another talented edge rusher is slated to meet with the Eagles, this time LSU’s B.J. Ojulari, brother of New York Giants defensive end Azeez Ojulari, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

A flexible and bendy edge rusher for the Tigers, Ojulari has explosive first-step quickness, creating disruption on both running and passing downs at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds. His long levers for arms (34 1/4-inches) allow him to control offensive linemen at the point of attack and keep tackles at bay using the long arm technique.

Finishing with 8.5 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks in 2022, Ojulari projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker with his fluidity dropping into coverage and pinning his ears back to rush on passing downs. While his gap integrity defending the run and inconsistent hand use must improve, Ojulari has the profile to be a high-upside pass rusher at the NFL level. If the Eagles were considering drafting him, doing so at pick No. 30 may be wise, because the talented edge rusher will likely be gone for the Birds second-round pick.

The Eagles continue to bring in defensive backs, with Penn State defensive back Joey Porter Jr. among the players who has a top-30 visit with the Birds, according to KPRC 2′s Aaron Wilson.

Linked to the Eagles early in the draft process, Porter imposes a bully style of press man coverage and has ideal length and physicality to play out on an island at the NFL level. He uses those traits to contest passes at the catch point and has the long speed to match receivers on a vertical plane (4.46-second 40-yard dash) with recovery ability if beaten at the line of scrimmage. Although he has just one career interception, Porter gets a lot of hands on passes, and even said at the combine, “I feel like I left some money out on the field this year.”

While there are some inconsistent press-man footwork and grabby tendencies at the top of routes, Porter fits the physical profile of defensive backs who have gone in the first round the last couple of years (Jaycee Horn, Sauce Gardner). Ideally, Porter would be a long term fit at defensive back with Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the roster the next few seasons.

» READ MORE: DBs Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. exude confidence at the NFL combine. Will the Eagles draft one?

Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, recently had a meeting with the Eagles, according to The Score’s Jordan Schultz.

A popular mock draft candidate since the Eagles lost Isaac Seumalo in free agency, Skoronski is one of the more technically refined offensive linemen at the top of the draft. The unanimous AP First-Team All-American selection was a three-year starter for the Wildcats, all at left tackle. His 32 1/4-inch arm length shows up as a deficiency on tape, with longer armed defensive linemen being able to get into his chest and drive him backwards. Because of this, his projections are varied — some teams may see him as a high-level interior offensive linemen, even though his tape at tackle is outstanding.

Skoronski anchors well in pass protection, understands positioning in the run-game by cutting off backside defenders and working well on double team blocks. He also uses a variety of pass protection techniques, whether that’s timing his initial punch to force the pass rushers to commit to a move or using a one-handed stab at the apex of the rush to gain leverage. He tested well at the combine too (5.16-second 40-yard dash, 34.5-inch vertical, 9′ 7″ broad jump) at 6-foot-4, 313 pounds.

As for his fit with the Eagles, Skoronski could compete for an interior guard spot and be a long term solution at tackle whenever Lane Johnson decides to hang up his cleats. The former Wildcats tackle has great footwork, athleticism to work to the second level in the run game, and the foot quickness to handle quick-twitch pass rushers.

» READ MORE: How the first week of free agency changes the draft board for the Eagles’ Howie Roseman

The Eagles continue to do work on prospects from the defending national champions, with the Birds setting up a meeting with defensive back Kelee Ringo, according to The Score’s Jordan Schultz.

Heavily linked to the Eagles before the season started and during the college football season, Ringo, who is 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, plays with a physical presence in coverage and as a run defender. The true junior finished his Bulldogs career with 15 passes defensed and four interceptions, including the game-sealing pick six to beat Alabama in the 2022 National Championship game.

Checking the physical tools and traits of a modern defensive back, Ringo projects better as a cover-3 corner who can turn and run with receivers, versus being on an island in press man coverage. He’s a linear athlete who struggles with hip tightness and locating the football in the air in man coverage.

Still, the talented defensive back can be a long-term asset for the Eagles, whenever either Bradberry or Darius are no longer a part of the team.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Sizing up deep cornerback class after Birds bring back Darius Slay, James Bradberry

One of the top prospects in this year’s draft, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, recently had a pre-draft visit with the Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Once considered to be a top pick candidate before the draft process officially started, misdemeanor charges for reckless driving and racing and his reportedly disappointing performance at Georgia’s pro day a few weeks ago have seemingly hurt his stock. On the field, Carter is a force at 6-foot-3, 314 pounds, and offers a unique blend of speed and power to disengage blockers and knife through the offensive line, flushing quarterbacks out of the pocket or forcing running backs to bounce the ball outside the box.

Defending the run, Carter is slippery and quick enough to shoot gaps, but has heavy hands to disengage and reset the line of scrimmage in the trenches. The explosiveness he plays with would pair nicely alongside his former teammate Davis, should the Eagles decide to select him in the 2023 NFL draft. The talented defensive tackle is also meeting with the Chicago Bears, who are picking at No. 9, one spot ahead of the Birds.

» READ MORE: Five NFL draft prospects Eagles fans should keep an eye on during bowl season

It seems like the Eagles are continuing to do their due diligence on the defensive tackle class, as Florida’s Gervon Dexter has scheduled a top-30 visit with the Birds, according to Pro Football Network.

Measuring in at the combine at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms, Dexter has the body type and length to be a disruptive force on the inside. Playing multiple alignments in the interior, from a one-technique to 4i depending on the down and distance, Dexter has a never-ending motor with the upper-body strength to bench press interior offensive linemen, utilizing a swim or push/pull move to disengage and get after the quarterback.

He flashes high-level ability to deconstruct blocks, but his pad level and snap anticipation are both areas of improvement for the Gators junior prospect. That high pad level gets him displaced on double teams because he doesn’t have the leverage to anchor, but it’s clear he’s a stoutly built defensive tackle. He projects as a developmental rotational interior defensive linemen with upside as a pass rusher and one-gap penetrator.

Georgia standout edge rusher Nolan Smith, who has been a popular mock draft pick for the Eagles — and has even drawn size and production comparisons to Hasson Reddick — recently had a top 30 visit with the Birds, according to The Spun, who had a one-on-one interview with Smith.

His 2022 season was cut short due to a torn pectoral muscle, but Nolan Smith gained some early first-round steam after dominating the NFL combine earlier this month, running the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds while posting a 41.5-inch vertical. On the field, Nolan Smith is a ready-made run defender, who is willing to take on blocks and embraces physical contact at the point of attack. As a pass rusher, Nolan Smith has an elite first step and the flexibility in his ankles to bend the corner, allowing him opportunities to win on an inside or outside track getting after the quarterback.

At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, Nolan Smith is not the ideal size of an outside linebacker, but his ability to play with excellent leverage and power defending the run makes him an intriguing prospect worth the early first-round buzz. Still an unfinished product with his pass rush tool box, Nolan Smith has the skill set and motor to be a high end pass rusher despite his slender frame. In his interview with The Spun, Nolan Smith called the Eagles a “perfect fit” and described his Top 30 experience with them as “an amazing visit.”

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Four takeaways from the NFL Scouting Combine, headlined by Nolan Smith and Anthony Richardson

Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes, a highly regarded defensive back prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class, has scheduled a top 30 meeting with the Eagles, according to WCBI news in Mississippi.

What Forbes lacks in size (measured 6-foot-1, 166 pounds at combine) he makes up for with his ball-hawking mentality, specifically by creating turnovers. With twitchy hips and footwork to mirror wide receivers in man coverage, Forbes has extraordinary ball skills, collecting 14 interceptions over his career and returning an FBS record six interceptions for touchdowns.

His wiry frame is concerning as a tackler and from a durability standpoint, but Forbes is a prospect with the athleticism to make plays in both man and zone coverages. A likely day two pick, Forbes would be a nice long-term addition to the Eagles secondary if he could add mass to his slender build.

Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, one of the top pass rushers in the 2023 class, appears to be in Philadelphia visiting with the Eagles Thursday morning, via a post on his instagram page.

Van Ness, who measured in at 6-foot-5, 272 pounds at the combine, had elite speed testing and plays with tremendous power at the point of attack. Speed to power is his go-to move, with the ability to drive his hands through the chest of offensive linemen while playing with a never-ending motor on his path to the quarterback. Iowa even used him in reduced formations, allowing him to bull rush against interior offensive linemen.

While his hand usage must continue to improve, along with diversifying his pass rush plan, Van Ness could fit nicely into the Eagles front as a potential 4i defensive end, allowing him to work his power profile. The Hawkeye has early first-round buzz, and with Brandon Graham in the late stages of his career, Van Ness could be a long-term fit, alongside Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson is visiting with the Eagles after posting on his Instagram late Monday night that he was in Philadelphia. The visit was confirmed by NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo.

Robinson is a top-five talent in the 2023 NFL draft class, with an elite ability to change direction, creativity as a runner, elusiveness in the open field, and the speed to break away from defenses at any time. His receiving ability is lauded as well. Although he only had 19 receptions in 2022, he averaged 16 yards per catch. Even with the devaluation of the running back position, the Texas back checks all the boxes and would immediately upgrade the Eagles running back room that lost Miles Sanders to free agency.

Robinson won’t make it out of the first round, and it’s a position the Eagles haven’t selected that early since 1986.

Originally reported on March 10, LSU defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy is set to meet with the Eagles for a top-30 visit, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. A one-year starter for the Tigers, the true junior, who measured in at the combine at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, is a disruptive player in the interior who has heavy hands to disengage blockers and quickness to get vertical penetration in the run game.

His hand usage can improve at the line of scrimmage and he plays high with his pad level, but his energy and size would be a great addition to the Eagles as a Day 3 selection. It’s clear defensive tackle, alongside 2022 first-round pick Davis, is a need for this upcoming draft, especially after losing Hargrave in free agency.