After making the move to grab cornerback Eric Rowe with the 47th overall pick, the Eagles kept their third-round pick at 84th overall and used it to select linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Hicks is 6'1", 236 pounds out of Texas and proved to be a strong performer at the combine, with a 38-inch vertical jump, 6.78-second 3-cone drill and 11.34-second 60-yard shuffle drill.
Hicks joins a massive group of linebackers that includes Brandon Graham, DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Connor Barwin and Kiko Alonso.
Here is a scouting report on the newest Eagle.
Hicks has everything in size – great height, weight and speed for an inside linebacker.
He struggled through injuries, suffering a broken foot, hip flexor and torn Achilles in a five-year career, but the Texas coaching staff has given him a vote of confidence on the way he prepares for games and remains in good health. He completed his first full season in 2014, finishing with 107 tackles, including 11 for loss and 3 1/2 sacks.
In addition to being injury-prone during his college career, Hicks has coverage issues. He's not quick to pick up routes and isn't one to jump up at the line, so he's much more of a stationary linebacker who will rush the passer and let the tackles come to him.
The good news is that his tackling skills are excellent and improved more over his final season than any other. Perhaps a year under the watchful eye of Chip Kelly with minimal playing time could be worth his while. Maybe even just a training camp will be enough to mold him into a stronger defensive player capable of filling a role.
He may be a work in progress, but Hicks is a smart football mind with love for the game and the work ethic and preparation to grow into a solid pickup for the Eagles. It may have been a bit of a reach now, but it could turn into a solid pick in the coming years.
Kevin Durso is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
