By GORDON GLANTZ

GORDONVILLE – It’s hard to believe now, but basketball – yes, basketball – was once considered “the Jewish man’s game.”

So much so that, the years between the World Wars, when quotas against Jews at colleges were commonplace, alumni at Ivy League schools lobbied for lenience when it came to Jewish basketball players so that they could gain an edge.

A newspaper of the time once opined that it was the “perfect sport” for Jews because it didn’t require much height or athleticism and was a game based on deception, where players could connive their way to victory.

Nice, huh.

They actually meant it as a compliment, too!

At least it was accurate … not!

In reality, since most Jews lived in cities – and since baseball and football were considered rural sports – the confines of gymnasium allowed for excelling at both basketball and boxing.

This included basketball Hall of Famers Marty Freidman, Nat Holman and Barney Sedran.

In the days long before the NBA, or any real organized professional leagues, All-Jewish teams would barnstorm, particularly after the stock market crash of 1929. The most famous is the Philadelphia SPHAS (South Philadelphia Hebrew Association). They would often win the game (and the winner’s share) and were then summarily chased to the one car they used to travel around in until they safely reach their next destination.

Some of those notables were: Petey Rosenberg, Leo Gottleib, Howard Rosan, Si Boardman, Moe Goldman, Inky Lautman, Fishy Rabin and Louis Spindell.

The SHAS/Sphas (also known as The Hebrews and The Wandering Jews) played until 1949, primarily as a exhibition team, but were disbanded in part because they defeated the Harlem Globetrotters on multiple occasions.

The SPHAS/Sphas (pictured above in their early years) also won seven championships between 1933-1934 and 1944-45 in one of the several pro leagues, this one being the ABL, as well as several title in other smaller leagues.

After World War II, the fly-by-night professional leagues coalesced into what we now as the NBA, with Jews well-represented. As matter of fact, SPHAS alum Ossie Schectman is credited with having scored the first basket in the BBA (Basketball Association of America in 1946. This league was the direct forerunner of NBA.

For purposes of this drill, selecting the All-time All-Jewish Basketball Team, we will focus on professional basketball (NBA, ABA and maybe an overseas guy or two).

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Red Auerbach

Notes: I may never get served a cheese steak here in Philly again, but the evidence in overwhelming for the cigar-smoking pioneer who made the Boston Celtics a dominant force. Auerbach may not only be the best Jewish coach of all time, but the best coach of all time, period.

As a coach, which included stints with the Washington Capitols and Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Auerbach set NBA records with 938 wins and nine titles. After his coaching retirement in 1966, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death. As general manager and team president of the Celtics, he won an additional seven NBA titles for a grand total of 16 in a span of 29 years and making him one of the most successful team officials in the history of North American professional sports.

Auerbach also played college basketball at George Washington University and was credited with breaking the color barrier in the NBA in 1950 by drafting Chuck Cooper in 1950 and have all-black starting five in 1964. In 1966, he made Bill Russell the first black head coach in North American sports.

Assistant Coach: Red Holzman. Auerbach was voted the best coach in NBA history and Holzman was not too far behind at No. 4. He is best known as the head coach of the Knicks from 1967-82. They won championships in 1970 and 1973.

While Auerbach was also a solid college player in his own right at George Washington, Holzman was an outstanding player who might’ve warranted consideration on the roster below if not for his coaching prowess. He was a star in the old NBL, winning two titles (1946, 1951). He was Rookie of the Year in 1946. That same year, he was first-team All-NBL (also in 1948, while being voted to the second team in 1947).

The Starting Five

Center: Neal Walk

Notes: In addition to being the only human being on earth hairier than myself, the 6-10 Walk (pictured above) had a decent NBA career after being drafted second overall in 1969 by the Phoenix (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, went first to the Milwaukee Bucks). He hit his peak in the 1972-73 season, averaging 20.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game (Charles Barkley is the only other player in Suns’ franchise history to average a double-double). The second half of his 8-year NBA career saw a significant drop in production, after which he finished up his playing days with three seasons in Israel and one Italy. His NBA career averages were 12.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2,1 assists per game.

Forwards: Dolph Schayes, Amare Stoudemire

Notes: This is clearly the strength of the team. Schayes (he went by Dolph because his birth name was Adolph), is universally considered the best Jewish basketball player. Stoudemire, who had an outstanding NBA career before moving on to player overseas (including Israel). There is no real DNA proof that he is ethnically Jewish, but he is fully convinced that he is and is certainly a better religious Jew than I am.

While both Schayes (pictured above) and Stoudemire are power forwards, they are head and shoulders above the other forwards on the roster and deserve starting nods. We’ll put Schayes at power forward and Stoudemire at small forward.

A native of the Bronx, the 6-8 Schayes played his college hoops at NYU and then embarked on a pro career in which he was a 12-time NBA All-Star. Selected to the Hall of Fame in 1973, he was chosen for the following NBA anniversary teams – 25^th, 50^th and 75^th.  He won a league title in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals, the team for the majority of a 15-year career (ended with the 76ers) that saw him post career averages of 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He led the league in various categories multiple times, including pacing the circuit scoring in 1957-58 and 24.9 points per game and rebounding in 1950-51 (16.4 per game). Not to be confused with Ben Simmons, he led the league in free throw percentage three times.

The 6-10 Stoudemire, who lists dual citizenship with the U.S.A. and Israel, was a six-time NBA All-Star and was Rookie of the Year in 2003. For his 15-year NBA career, which was followed up with more accolades while playing in Israel, he averaged 18.9 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

With all due respect to Walk, Stoudemire will be jumping center to start games.

Guards: Larry Brown, Tal Brody

Notes: We all know Brown for his Hall of Fame coaching exploits, and those will earn him a role here as a player-assistant on Auerbach’s staff, but he was also one of the best point guards in the early days of the ABA, leading the league in assists three of the five years he played while averaging 11.1 points per game. He also quarterbacked the 1964 Olympic team to gold after a stellar college career wooing the Southern Belles at North Carolina (Dean Smith was also the Olympic coach).

The 6-1 Brody (pictured above) is a more controversial pick here as the shooting guard. Like Brown, he never played in the NBA, even though he was drafted 11^th overall out of Illinois (second-team All-American) by the Baltimore Bullets (now Washington Wizards). He instead became the founding father of basketball in Israel.

In 1977, after returning to stateside to fulfill his military service and play for the U.S, National Team, he led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the European Championship. Much like the famed Miracle On Ice U.S. Olympic ice hockey team of 1980, Brody spearheaded a win over the heavily favored Soviet Red Army tea, (CSKA Moscow).

Records show him averaging 19.2 points per game in the Israeli League, where he won 10 championships. He averaged 17.0 per game in EuroLeague play and 15.6 in FIBA International Competitions.

Although the Soviet Union refused to play Israel again after their humbling loss, Soviet great Sergei Belov called Brody one of the best players he ever competed against.

In The Rotation:

Rudy LaRusso: If not for Stoudemire’s ethnic awakening, this 6-8 1959 Dartmouth grad would easily be in the lineup next to Schayes. As it is, we have ourselves a forceful forward-center off the pine. Don’t let the last name fool you. LaRusso (pictured above) was the vintage Brooklyn mutt. He had an Italian dad and a Jewish mother. LaRusso was raised in the faith (and her chicken soup). “Roughhouse Rudy,” as he was called, played most of his career in the 1960s on some talented Lakers’ teams. A five-time all-star, he saved his best for last, at least statistically, while finishing with the Warriors. In his second to last season, 1967-68, he averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game. The following year, while being named to the All-Defensive team, he averaged 20.7 points per game. For his career, he averaged 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Danny Schayes: The son of Dolph was never quite the player his dad was but, to be fair, the 6-11 Syracuse product (and 11^th overall pick in 1981) played in a different era. In 1987-88, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.2 rebounds for Denver. However, what would have been solid career numbers diminished to 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds when he hung on as a deep reserve from the early 90s until the of the decade. Part of his motivation, he said, was knowing retirement would have left a league was once loaded with Jewish players with none. Talk about a mensch, huh?

Art Heyman: The 6-5 Duke product, gives us flexibility as a swingman. Yet another New York product who went to the ACC, where he battled it out with Brown’s Tar Heels, Heyman was so stellar on the college hardwood that he was drafted first overall in 1963 after being named Player of the Year by AP, UPI, Sporting News and others. Given the hype, it would be fair to call him at least half a bust. Heyman, known for his temper tantrums, saw a decrease in playing time after making the NBA All-Rookie Team for the hometown Knicks (averaged 15.4 points per game). Heyman left the Knicks for cups of coffee with the Cincinati Royals and our 76ers before moving on to the Eastern League. He then caught on with the ABA and won the league crown with the Pittsburgh Pipers in 1968, averaging more than 20 points per game. We could call him … “The Jew who saved Pittsburgh.” … All told, his professional averages were 13.0 points, 4.7 board and 2.8 assists.

Steve Chubin: This 6-3 New York native went North to play his college hoops at Rhode Island. He was selected by the Warriors in the third round of the 1966 draft, which was far from a guaranteed job. After playing a year in Italy (scoring 34 points in the EuroLeague finals), he came back to stateside to join the Anaheim Amigos of the ABA. In addition to averaging 18.2 points per game in 1967-68, the crowd favorite (known as “Chube”) was second in the circuit behind Brown in assists per game (4.7). He went on to play 226 games in the ABA (career averages of 12.8 points and 3.9 assists) for multiple teams before finishing up his career in Israel and winning several championships.

Rounding Out The Roster

Max “Slats” Zaslofsky: Unique in that the 6-2 Brooklyn native (pictured above) played at St. John’s, a Catholic school, he was a standout in the early days of the NBA (all-league four times). Before the NBA, he was just 21 when he paced the BBA in scoring in 1947-48 (21.0) and led the NBA in free throw percentage (.843) in 1949-50. For his 12-year career, he averaged 14.8 points and 2.0 assists per game.

Bob Gross: The 6-6 small forward should be well-known to us 76ers fans, as he was a starter on the Bill Walton-led Portland Trailblazers’ team that beat the Sixers in the 1977 finals, 4-2, after the Sixers rolled in the first two games. With the series knotted, 2-2, the scene shifted back to The Spectrum and Gross had the night of his life, scoring a team-high 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting from the floor. The Blazers won that game, and the next at home, to take the title. He was nowhere near that much of a scorer in his career but had a strong overall floor game (voted second-team All-Defense the following year). He retired in 1983 with career averages of 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.12 steals a game. His No. 30 was retired by the Trailblazers.

Jordan Farmar: A former high school Player of the Year, the biracial Farmar was raised by his Jewish mother and Israeli stepfather. He was a standout at UCLA who was drafted in the late first round by the hometown Lakers. A point guard, the 6-2 Farmar was a rotational reserve on two championship teams with the Lakers. He then played two seasons with the Nets (then in New Jersey) and posted respectable averages of 9.6 points and 5.0 assists (2010-2011) and 10.4 points and 3.3 assists in 2011-12. He played a year in Turkey, averaging just under 14 points a game, before returning stateside and rejoining the Lakers in 2013-14 (10.1 points, 4.9 assist, 2.1 rebounds). He finished his NBA journey with stints with the crosstown Clippers, Memphis and Sacramento. As a dual citizen, he also represented Israel in world play.

Just Missing The Cut

Omri Casspi: The 6-9 swing forward was drafted 23^rd overall in 2009 and was the first Israeli to play in the NBA. However, in 12 seasons he never really rose above being more than a rotational player and went back to his homeland with career averages of 7.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Highlights included playing in the Rookie Game on All-Star weekend and receiving a championship ring as a member of the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors (5 starts).

Ernie Grunfeld: His play before entering the league – and after as a longtime GM/front office type for 20 years after retiring in 1999 – earned him a known name that was bigger than his actual play as a pro. In college, at Tennessee, he became the school’s all-time leading scorer. He won gold medals with the USA in the 1975 Pan American Games and 1976 Olympics. However, his NBA career was fairly middling – 17 starts in 9 seasons with career averages of 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Miki Berkovich: A teammate of the aforementioned Brody in the miracle win over the Soviets, he – not Brody – is often considered to be Israel’s best ever basketball player. However, unlike Brody at Illinois, Berkovich was nothing more than a deep bench player in college (UNLV). The 6-4 Berkovich joined Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball club’s junior team in 1965, and the adult team in 1971. With Maccabi, he won 19 national championship titles and 17 national cups and averaged just under 18 points per game.

WAITING IN THE WINGS:

It was hard to include players whose stories are just being written. A pair of Israelis – Deni Avdija and Yam Madar– come to mind. Both were drafted into the NBA in 2020, with the 6-9 Avdij going 9^th overall to Washington. A point guard, the 6-3 Madar is still playing overseas after going in the second round to Boston. Through two NBA seasons, the 21-year-old Avdija has made 40 starts (32 as a rookie) and is posting moderate numbers – 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists – in just under 24 minutes per game. He and Madar combined to lead Israel to a pair of U20 gold medals in world competition, which surely caught the eye of scouts.

Special Mention: Jon Scheyer

This one is a projection on what could have been. The next coach at Duke, Scheyer (pictured above) was one of the most celebrated – and heavily recruited – high school players in the country before he chose to become a Blue Devil. He did not disappoint there, enjoying a stellar four-career that was capped off by a national title. Despite scoring 2,007 points over his stellar career, Scheyer was not drafted. His chances suffered another blow with a severe eye injury in a summer league game. He played in Israel, and tried it again stateside the following summer (with the Sixers), but he was not the same player and retired. Oy vey. He could have been an all-timer – at least for this team. As it is – and assuming he does well at Duke – he can join the coaching staff.

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By GORDON GLANTZ

GORDONVILLE – As the madness ends, let the sadness begin.

The NFL draft, with all its build-up – and enhanced by its opportunity to distract us during these historically tragic times of a pandemic – is now behind us.

The best we can hope for now is a football season – and maybe one that will take place without fans in the stands, as more germs will be passed around there than by superior athletes playing what is arguably the most violent sport on earth.

That’s the bad news.

And there is even more bad news. The Eagles clearly missed my memos and didn’t follow the four Shakespearean scripts – Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello and Romeo and Juliet – I laid out for them here in my four mock drafts (although I did hint at some of the players they took in my broader final preview).

But there is good news.

While they didn’t take who I would have – in most cases, anyway – I wouldn’t say any of the picks were all-out pathetic ones.

I am certainly not burning de facto GM Howie Roseman in effigy – especially since these are group decisions, with head coach Doug Pederson likely speaking for the coaches while Roseman factors in reports from the scouts. If anything is dysfunctional – and only time will tell – it is that the Eagles (unlike, say, Dallas with Jerry Jones) have too many chefs in the kitchen.

With that, let’s take a closer look at a draft that I ended up grading as a B-minus (after being as low as a D-plus at one point):

Round 1 (pick 21): The Eagles reportedly explored trading up for Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, but relished their second round pick (No. 53) too much. They could have traded down and added a second round pick, but stayed put and selected receiver Jalen Reagor of TCU, who was rapidly rising up draft boards into firm Day 1 consideration. Reagor was listed at 5-11, 195 in college, where his stats were not eye-popping in his final year (three different quarterbacks, including a true freshman) but bulked up to 210. It was presumed he would easily run a sub-4.4 40, but his time at the combine was a disappointing 4.47 (still fast, but not as fast as expected – especially for a smaller receiver). He dropped five pounds and ran again – virtually — and interested teams recorded it between 4.2 and 4.3. There is another metric, measuring game speed, which came more into play in the alternate universe of this draft, and his time was off the charts.

Where He Fits: Reagor (pictured below) — the son of a former NFL player, Montae, whose journeys included a stint in Philly — will be handed the punt returner job. The only way he will lose it is if he drops the ball, literally. As for the offense, we are probably looking at a DeSean Jackson understudy for a year. While he may not start, it is likely he will be integrated into the offense with specific plays in mind.

What I Would Have Done: I do agree that this year’s No. 2 pick, given the depth in the draft, was too valuable to package with No. 21 to move up. However, I would have thought long and hard about dangling next year’s No. 2 to move up for Ceedee Lamb. If that didn’t work, I would have taken LSU’s Justin Jefferson at No. 21. I had mocked him to the Eagles from the jump and still think he has the best skill set to impact the league as a rookie. Third option would have been to trade down a few slots and pick up either a late second or multiple picks (third and fourth). In that scenario, later in the round, I would have gone with the consensus in the Zoom room and gladly taken Reagor.

Round 2 (pick 53): This one was the head-scratcher of the draft, and it has nothing to do with not liking the actual player, quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama/Oklahoma). Like Reagor, his stock was rapidly rising and I regard him as an eventual Russell Wilson-type of quarterback in the NFL. While franchise quarterback Carson Wentz has been a tad bit injury-prone, this still seems like an extreme measure – unless Wentz has some sort of hidden, career-threatening medical issue we don’t know about.

Where He Fits: My first thought was as a gadget guy, like Taysom Hill in New Orleans, but I really don’t see that more than a few times, like a double-pass play (or something else that probably won’t work). And you don’t take gadget guys in Round 2. The reality is that he is here because he was the next best quarterback on the board – the rest of the draft kind of backed this up – and, after Nate Sudfeld puts in one more year of being an indentured servant, Hurts (pictured below) becomes the backup by 2021. When his rookie contract is nearing its end – 3-4 years from now – the quarterback scenario could look totally different. Maybe Wentz will be entrenched as a Top 5 guys and Hurts, with some nice play in relief appearances, will be a hot commodity to flip. However, unless they get back more than a second round pick, all they are doing to giving away a quarterback they spent time on developing for the same price they originally paid.

What I Would Have Done: In one of my mocks, I had the Eagles taking Baylor receiver Denzel Mims at No. 21. He was still there at No. 53, so you do the math. As for No. 2 quarterback, I would have brought in Joe Flacco.

Round 3 (pick 103): Yeah, I can see where outside linebacker Davion Taylor (pictured below) fits, both in terms of scheme fit and what the overall theme of their draft – speed with a side dish of smarts – comes into play here. Taylor runs in the 4.5 range, which is pretty impressive for his size (6-1, 225). He is also still developing. When I first heard he didn’t play much, if any, high school football because his religion kept him from it on Friday nights, I got excited. I thought they maybe took a Jewish guy. Then again, there are not too many black Jews from rural Mississippi. Taylor was a Seventh Day Adventist. He played other sports in high school, standing out in track, and didn’t really give football a real go until junior college. From there, it was on to Colorado, where his came into his own.

Where He Fits: Well, it was clear that Jatavis Brown was stop-gap signing for the hybrid-linebacker role Schwartz likes to deploy in his regular sub-packages, so logic would follow that Taylor learns that position while being unleashed on special teams. There is some talk about playing safety, long-term. Anything is possible, but I don’t believe it’s the plan (see fourth-round pick).

What I Would Have Done: I can appreciate the nice little back story, and certainly the fact that the arrow is pointing way up here, but one of my favorite guys in the draft – at the same position – was still on the board: Akeem Davis-Gaither (Appalachian State) and he had a full career of monster production that could have been brought to the field sooner.

Round 4 (pick 127): The Eagles had missed out on some safeties at this point, but they could have done a lot worse than – K’von Wallace (Clemson) – who was an anchor, playmaker and leader on one of the premier teams in the country. Aside from his size (5-11, 205), he checks all the boxes.

Where He Fits: This high school wildcat quarterback/receiver with extensive experience at corner in college might be one of their drafts picks best prepared to take on an active role from the jump, and certainly in some of the multi-safety packages that Schwartz likes to deploy.

What I Would Have Done:  OK, from this point on, I am not second guessing. Were there guys I liked better? Yes. However, overall, the Eagles really started hitting their stride on Day 3 (pulling up their grade in the process), so we’ll go with God (or Roseman and Co.). To me, the choice of Wallace (pictured below) is when the draft starting getting onto some solid footing.

Round 4 (Pick 145): Yeah, I was screaming at the television at this point, wondering why certain players – weren’t drafted yet. The Eagles did take an Auburn offensive lineman (just not the one I wanted) here in Jack Driscoll, who transferred to the big time after starting his career at the University of Massachusetts. At 6-4 and just around 300 pounds, Driscoll played tackle but might project inside at guard in the NFL. With the track record of offensive line coach/running game coordinator Jeff Stoutland, he’s in a good hands. Moreover, Driscoll is a smart guy – earning an undergrad degree at UMass and a MBA at Auburn – so the learning curve should be crisp.

Where He Fits: Right in the mix with the likes of Matt Pryor as swing player who helps you at multiple positons, should there be an injury on game day. While his ceiling might be as an OK starter, his floor is as a quality backup. While you might hope for more in the fourth round, you could do worse than a safe bet. Driscoll (pictured below) could even project as the eventual center.

Round 5 (Pick 168): Roseman was wheeling and dealing so fast that my head was starting to spin, especially at a point in the draft where teams only have five minutes to choose. You think the Eagles are on the clock and then, suddenly, it’s three picks later and they didn’t pick. With my cell phone running low on battery power, it was immediately recharged with the selection of Boise State receiver John Hightower, a human highlight real. He’s 6-1, 190 pounds (soaking wet) and runs the 40 in the 4.4 range. In addition to exciting but raw receiving skills, he will likely be given a long look as the kick returner (the Eagles are likely to keep Reagor just with punts if they can help it).

Where He Fits: Other than an opportunity to be the kick returner, all that may be guaranteed Hightower (pictured below) out of the gate is a roster spot.

Round 6 (Pick 196): It had been since 2011 (no lie) since the Eagles drafted a player from Temple. And it’s not like the Owls haven’t had some good teams in that time, and certainly not like they haven’t seen several solid “Temple Tuff” players into the league that they could have used. The 2011 pick was Jaiquawn Jarrett, who was taken in the second round. He was an in-the-box safety who failed miserably at the wrong position (free safety). After 13 games over two seasons here, he ended up playing 34 games – starting seven – for the Jets. It’s hard to believe the Eagles felt so scarred by the experience that they would not only avoid drafting Temple products, but would avoid bringing them in as undrafted free agents (the last was quarterback Adam DiMchele in 2009). Well, all conspiracy theories about a hidden agenda (tenant-landlord issues at the Linc) can be laid to rest, as the Eagles used this pick – and wisely – on linebacker Shaun Bradley. Temple has now had as many players taken in the last five years as Florida State and more than the likes of Nebraska. It’s ultra-cool, with they are local (Bradley is from South Jersey).

Where He Fits In: Bradley (pictured below), is virtually the same player as the third-round pick, Taylor. While Taylor may be a bit more athletic, Bradley has more game acumen. It’s hard to believe the two would be battling for a roster spot, as no one like to cut draft picks, they could be battling it out for the same game-day niche while the other doesn’t dress.

Round 6 (Pick 200): There were still plenty of players I liked, and mocked, to the Eagles sitting there at this point – including receivers. One I was aware of, but hadn’t mocked, was Quez Watkins (Southern Mississippi). Upon further review, I should have. Like Hightower, he is a raw product, but his highlight reel is loaded with catches that guys on Sundays make.

Where He Fits In: There will be a lot of healthy competition at receiver. Consider it a much-needed good thing. A lot of “Iggles” fans were enamored with Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs III, who ran the fastest time at the combine. Guess who ran the second fastest – at 4.28? Try Watkins (pictured below).

Round 6 (Pick 210): This might be my favorite pick of their whole draft. I mocked Auburn left tackle Prince Tega Wanagho (see pic all the way at top) to the Eagles in the second round of one of my mocks, with that the thought that he could be coached up by Stoutland to eventually be Jason Peters 2.0. That would be the ceiling. The floor? A high-level swing tackle, as he has experience on the right side, or maybe even a look at guard. It’s unclear why he went from a Day 2 pick to a late Day 3 pick. The only answer is that water on the knee at the Senior Bowl kept him on the sidelines. He came to this country from Nigeria to play basketball, but instead took to football while waiting for basketball season to start.

Where He Fits In: No need to bring back Peters – again – that’s for sure. There are whispered concerns about last year’s first-rounder, Andre Dillard, as the ultimate answer at left tackle. Tega Wenagho will be a hedge against Dillard, and a nice project for Stoutland.

Round 7 (Pick 233): For the Eagles, the opposite of Temple has been Stanford, with the most prominent being Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz. They fulfilled their Cardinal quota in the final round with Casey Toohill. At his size (6-4, 250), he would appear to a classic outside linebacker/defensive end ‘tweener who might be best suited a 3-4 defense, which the Eagles haven’t played since the Marion Campbell era, to succeed. On the plus side, he does have some athleticism and saved his best season – his first as a full-time starter – for last (8 sacks). He also finished as a finalist (as was Driscoll) for the William V. Campbell Trophy that is known as the Academic Heisman.

Where He Fits In: Since the Eagles curiously did not fill the edge rusher need earlier in the draft, instead doubling and tripling up on other areas of concerns, so Toohill (pictured below) could be positioned to play himself onto the roster as a deep reserve. Being from their favorite school doesn’t hurt, either.

Undrafted Free Agents: This one area that has consistently been strong for the Eagles, and a few names jump from this year’s group of post-draft signees:

-Cincinnati Running Back Michael Warren II

-Michigan State Defensive Tackle Raequan Williams

-Baylor cornerback Grayland Arnold

-Montana Inside Linebacker Dante Olson

Where They fit In: Warren (pictured below) was a workhorse in college and has that bowling-ball build (5-9, 225) and running style that earns a lot of guys places in the league’s running back stables. The MVP of the Military Bowl ran for more than 2,500 yards the last years and had 37 touchdowns in 38 career games. Rated as high as a fourth-round pick in some mock drafts, it is hard to say why he slid out of the draft. Sometimes teams are scared off by too much tread on the tires, or by lack of receiving skills. The Eagles only have Miles Sanders and Boston Scott locked into roster spots right now, so he would have a good shot of sticking on the roster – even if a veteran back is brought in.

Williams, like Warren, was often mocked as a solid fourth- or fifth-round pick. He played under 300 pounds but is now at 308 while standing 6-4. While the Eagles seem set at defensive tackle, he could play his way onto the team. It is believed he needs more moves, but has a pro-level bull rush.

Arnold had draft-worthy production, picking off six passes last season (including one on Hurts). However, his size (5-9, 186) and speed (4.6) may relegate him to only the slot in the NFL. However, he does have some chops as a savvy return man.

Olson has good middle linebacker size (6-2, 237) and did all he could do to play as his way onto the map, earning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan honors with 179 tackles and 3.5 sacks. His 40 time (around 4.9) caused him to fall out of draft consideration.

Two others of note are Oregon State tight end Noah Togiai, who caught 102 passes for 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career. Even though he is 6-4 and nearly 250, blocking seems to be his weakness. Meanwhile, Elijah Riley, a corner from Army, is the primary person responsible for convincing the current president to overturn the rule preventing active service players from playing in the NFL. If he can follow orders well enough to maybe slide over to safety, he could emerge from a year on the practice squad as a helpful player in 2021.

Summary: In my Mock 1.0, I took four receivers just to prove it could be done. What do they do? Draft three and add a fourth — Marquise Goodwin (pictured below) — via a swap of draft picks with the 49ers. That’s a crowded receivers’ room, but I like that they created competition – not only there, but at several positions (including, theoretically, backup quarterback). The goal was clearly to add speed. As long as toughness and grit are not sacrificed, it is hard to argue with that. I think there is still some roster drama yet to unfold, but this – all told – was not a half-bad opening act. No Draftnik is ever going to be satisfied. Often times, we are proven right, but this isn’t about that. It’s about getting better and building an identity – in lieu of living off the fumes of the recent Super Bowl title.

 

 

By GORDON GLANTZ

GORDONVILLE – Today was supposed to be the day I put the pedal to the medal and came up with Mock Draft 5.0, which was the make the previous four seem like 90-pound weaklings eating sand at the beach.

However, I have become so enthralled by Mock 4.0 – one in which I was just swinging from the hip – that I have decided to let it stand as final stab in the darkness of what will really go down Thursday through Saturday.

No reason to go back and check it. This is one-stop service.

Here’s recap: First round (pick 21), Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor. Second round (pick 53), Prince Tega Wenagho, OT, Auburn. Third Round (pick 103), Nick Harris, C, Washington. Round 4 (pick 127), Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State. Round 4 (pick 145), Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt. Round 4 (pick 146), David Woodward, MLB, Utah State. Round 5 (pick 170), Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii. Round 6 (pick 190), Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota.

I still think believe there is, at best, a 50 percent chance the Eagles pick at No. 21 in the first round. They may trade up for one of the top four receivers, or they made trade back a bit and get more picks (or maybe a disgruntled veteran).

It’s just impossible to predict what moves – up or down – other teams are going to make, and which teams would make ideal dance partners for the Eagles once there is a ripple effect.

We can only guess at scenarios. Truth be told, Howie Roseman can only guess right now. All the phone calls are made, but it’s all contingent on what others do.

How about this for a theory, annexed from my cranium? LSU’s Justin Jefferson (pictured below) probably the last of the elite receivers, somehow lasts until the 21^st pick. While the Eagles would likely be elated, what if Cincinnati came in and played Vito Corleone and made an offer Roseman couldn’t refuse?

The Bengals would be aching to reunite Jefferson with likely No. 1 overall pick, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

The compensation? The best the Bengals could do would be their second- and fourth-round picks, which means the Eagles would be without a first but would be kicking off Day 2 and Day 3. The Bengals could throw in disgruntled back Joe Mixon, giving the Eagles the thunder to pair with Miles Sanders’ lightning, and maybe the Eagles ship Rasul Douglas or Alshon Jeffery to the Bengals. A trade of Jeffery anywhere else would require the Eagles gagging on a chunk of his contract. Out of gratitude, maybe the Bengals are willing to at least split the cost.

There would likely be another a few of the second tier of receivers – including Mims — on the board to kick off Day 2. They could use that first pick of Day 3 to grab another receiver who slipped through the cracks of a loaded draft at the position.

Another move could be for disgruntled Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. There have been some wild deals proposed on the internet – some even want to ship tight end Zach Ertz out of town – but it may be as simple as the Eagles swapping their first for Jacksonville’s second (42^nd overall). There would be other pieces and picks, but that would be the main thrust of it. Both teams would be – or should be – ecstatic. And, yes, one of that second group of receivers would still be there at No. 42.

But, until other dominoes fall, this is all speculation.

Instead, let’s get down to brass tacks here, with a position by position look at who the Eagles could theoretically target – along with when and why:

Quarterback: It is not necessarily a necessity to bring in another arm. I have sent a Day 3 quarterback to the Eagles in each mock draft, as they stunk up the joint last year with Clayton Thorson in the fifth round. Right now, the concern is No. 2 behind Carson Wentz. The idea of the team being 10-2 and him going down, meaning Nate Sudfeld becomes the starter, is disconcerting. That said, Sudfeld is better than a No. 3 at this point in his career. My guess is that, after the draft, they bring in a veteran. My money is on Joe Flacco, although I could see Jameis Winston on a one-year deal. Flacco, at this point, might be cool with a long-term role. I’m sure the Eagles did their due diligence on all the incoming quarterbacks and would pounce on one in Day 3, maybe as early as the fourth round, if one – maybe Jordan Love (Utah State), Jake Fromm (Georgia) or Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma, pictured below) — they had a higher grade on. If more Day 3 picks are acquired, then they could burn one on a guy like Hawaii’s flamboyant McDonald (Mock 4.0) or Washington State’s Anthony Gordon (Mock 3.0).

Running Back: Well, if they acquired Mixon – or even brought back LeSean McCoy for a final hurrah – the need is less. That aside, the depth behind Sanders and Boston Scott is nill. They are many who fit the bill who could be had on Day 3. I have mocked the likes of UCLA’s Josh Kelley, South Carolina’s Rico Dowdle and Vanderbilt’s Vaughn. Others often linked the Eagles are Florida’s Lamical Perine and Boston College’s A.J. Dillon, a 250-pounder (pictured below) who may not make it to Day 3.

Wide Receiver: There will be receivers taken, that much is certain. The questions are who and when? They could go for another position – like linebacker (see below) — in Round 1 and then hit receiver in Round 2 and again another time or two. At Pick 53, though, it’s a bit of a roll of the dice. The top four are – in no particular order – are the Alabama tandem of  Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and the aforementioned Jefferson of LSU. If the Eagles trade up, the word is that it is most likely to be for Lamb (unless one of the Alabama guys slip). Jefferson was almost universally mocked to the Eagles at No. 21, but his stock has reportedly risen a bit. The second tier of receivers would be a solid first tier most years. In addition to Baylor’s Mims, we are looking at – in no particular order – Laviska Shenault, Jr. (Colorado), Tee Higgins (Clemson), Jalen Reagor (TCU, pictured at top), Brandon Ayiuk (Arizona State) and K.J. Hamler (Penn State). Each brings different body types and skill sets. Shenault (6-2, 225), Higgins (6-4, 215) and Mims (6-3, 215) are bigger receivers who could replace what will be lost, whenever that is, by the departure of Jeffery (6-3, 215). While the Eagles are banking on a healthy DeSean Jackson this year, the others fit the mold of a deep threat. Ayiuk (5-11, 190, 4.4 speed), Reagor (5-11, 195, 4.4) and Hamler (5-9, 176, 4.37) each also add much-needed return skills. They would consider themselves lucky to have a choice between two of these players at No. 53, but the odds are that only Hamler would be left – and that’s not a certainty. That would mean a bad whiff on the elite receivers in this year’s crop, and I would say the draft is a failure without at least one of these nine (the elite four plus that strong second group) eating cheese steaks next year.  Yes, there are others who could make impacts – USC’s Michael Pittman, Ohio State’s K.J. Hill among them – that would be Round 2 reaches but likely not around by late Round 3. In Round 4, receiver’s like Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden, the Texas duo of Devin Duvernay and 6-5 Collin Johnson or Central Florida’s Gabriel Davis could be added. They could also take a Day 3 gamble on small-school stud Antonio Gandy-Golden (pictured below) of Liberty.

Tight End: With the combination of Ertz and Dallas Goedert on the field together, defensive coordinators around the league are up at night. If they even want to carry three on the active roster, Josh Perkins (can also play receiver) and Alex Ellis (solid on special teams) are still on the roster.  That said, just like quarterback, the Eagles wouldn’t be above spending a value pick – especially if more are acquired – on a tight end who slides a bit. Fitting that description would be Dayton’s Adam Trautman, Vanderbilt’s Jared Pinkney (pictured below), one from LSU – Thaddeus Moss (son of Randy) or Stephen Sullivan – or Charlie Taumponeau of Portland State.

Offensive Tackle: Because Jason Peters probably won’t be back — and should do the dignified thing and just retire — the Eagles might just be wise to dip into a talented pool that it is as a deep as that at receiver. I went for Auburn’s Tega Wanagho in Mock 4.0 on raw potential and his ability to play both sides, meaning he could be a third tackle for a while, but burning a second-round pick may not be realistic. They could still look to a player like North Carolina’s Charlie Heck (6-8, 307) or Missouri’s massive Yasir Durant (6-6, 343) later. There will be clamoring for Jon Runyan’s son (and dead ringer), Jon Runyan, Jr. (pictured below) of Michigan, but the 6-4, 313-pounder is more of a guard-tackle tweener without much projected upside.

Interior Line: The reality of eventual life without Jason Kelce creates interesting scenarios. The Eagles could look for a pure guard like Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg (6-6, 322, pictured below), and as early as Round 2 (or cross their fingers he lasts to Round 3, which is unlikely) and groom Isaac Seumalo to move from left guard to center (unless they see something in Nate Herbig, who made the team as a USDA out of Stanford last year), or they look at a pure center like Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, Temple’s Matt Hennessey (the Eagles have not drafted a player from Temple since 2011), Washington’s Harris (Mock 4.0) or Wisconsin’s Rimington Award winner Tyler Biadasz.

Defensive Line: While set at tackle, and lieu of a trade with Jacksonville, the Eagles could go draft shopping here. If they traded back in the first round, picking up more draft capitol on Day 2 to address receiver, someone like 6-6, 280-pound A.J. Espenza (pictured below), who somehow still runs in the 4.75 range, comes into play in the latter part of the first round. Ditto for Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos. If LSU’s explosive K’Lavon Chaisson falls to 21, it would be tempting. On Day 2, in keeping with their history of Tennessee defensive ends (Reggie White, Derek Barnett),  a player like Darrell Taylor would be a name to watch.

Linebacker: It would be a shock if the Eagles didn’t come away with at least one. Like receiver, it’s just another question of who and when. There is serious talk about Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray (pictured below) in the first round. Another player who might be too good to pass up, just on talent, outside linebacker Zach Baun of Wisconsin, although some see him more as a 3-4 outside linebacker, meaning he wouldn’t really be a scheme fit here. Murray or Baun he might be the best player available at No. 21, but it would leave them waiting until No. 53 — or later — on receiver, and pushing back other needs, like interior line and secondary (see below). If they hold off, there are still options — Logan Wilson (Wyoming), Malik Harrison (Ohio State), throwback Shaquille Quarterman (Miami) and Woodward (Mock 4.0) of Utah State. Another guy I mocked earlier, who I love — at least as a situational hybrid/special teamer — is Akeem Davis-Gaither of Appalachian State (6-1, 220). Roseman is often criticized for neglecting linebacker in drafts, but the secret reality is that the Eagles coveted Leighton Vander Esch, who went to Dallas in 2018.

Secondary: . With the acquisition of Darius Slay as that long-craved lockdown corner, the immediate need there is not pressing but not out of the question. Jaylon Johnson of Utah, Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson (pictured below) and Kristian Fulton of LSU would be solid Day 2 picks. Temple’s Harrison Hand would be a potential Day 3 heist, but he has the Temple hex working against him. With Malcolm Jenkins gone, the safety position may need a long-term solution beyond Will Harris and Jalen Mills (Rodney McLeod is locked in for the long haul). If they could pick up another second round pick, Division II standout Kyle Dugger, who can line up almost anywhere (via Jenkins), is a possibility. Jeremy Chinn of Southern Illinois and J.R. Reed of Georgia have also been linked to the Eagles. Another intriguing prospect is Marc-Antoine Dequoy of Montreal, should the Eagles maybe acquire a seventh-rounder.

Summary: The national crisis has  cast a cloud over the draft as well. It is more cloaked in mystery in ever. Will teams play it close to the vest and base picks on college potential, in lieu of seeking upside? My guess would be yes, but I also guess life would be back to normal by now. As for the Eagles, as already stated, there are many ways to go. I saw a reputable mock today that had them going with Murray, the linebacker, in the first round and still coming away with Reagor in the second at No. 53. If that happens, without having to give up picks, maybe some of the Howie Haters out there would stand down.