Tracking Eagles top-30 prospect visits in 2023

With the NFL Draft set to begin in late April, the Eagles will be allowed to host up to 30 prospects at the NovaCare Complex for a pre-draft visit.

While it doesn’t necessarily mean the Eagles will draft these players, it at least gives us a sense of some interest they’re showing in prospects.

As we hear of them, we’ll drop them here:

Brian Branch, S, Alabama: While most are listing Branch as a safety, he’s a versatile defensive back who also played nickel at Alabama. The Eagles are one of several teams to bring him in during this pre-draft process, according to Ian Rapaport. Branch (6-0, 190) is widely considered the best safety in this relatively weak class. The Eagles have never drafted a safety in the first round but they have a pretty clear need remaining at the position.

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland: The Eagles are one of several teams to bring in Banks for a visit, NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported. Banks is likely to be a late Day 1, early Day 2 pick in this draft. Banks (6-0, 197) ran a 4.35 at the combine and started 21 games at Maryland in his career.

Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor: The Eagles are taking closer looks at several defensive tackles, especially nose tackles who might be able to rotate with Jordan Davis. They are missing that position without Linval Joseph. Ika (6-3, 335) began his career at LSU but played his final two seasons at Baylor and became a team captain in 2022. After a 4 1/2-sack 2021 season, he didn’t have one sack in 2022 and is now entering the draft. He has some traits that make you think he can be a good pass rusher but a lot of that is projection. Ika’s visit was reported by Aaron Wilson.

Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida: The 6-5, 310-pound Dexter has exactly what you'd want in a frame of a defensive tackle and the athleticism to match; he ran a 4.88 at the combine. While his numbers with the Gators aren't overwhelming, Dexter's best football might be ahead of him. The Eagles are bringing in Dexter, according to Josh Norris.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA: I’d love to hear the phone call when Howie Roseman rings Chip Kelly to find out some info on Thompson Robinson, who is visiting the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson. While the Eagles aren’t in dire need of a quarterback, it’s a position they’re always hoping to add and Thompson-Robinson could be a good candidate to develop. The Eagles’ third-string QB is Ian Book but Thompson-Robinson offers some intriguing traits. Not He completed nearly 70% of his passes in 2022 for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns but also ran for 646 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Eagles now have a veteran backup with running ability after signing Marcus Mariota. Drafting a player like Thompson-Robinson would give them another QB with a dual skillset. He could be a candidate to be the backup of the future.

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia: There's no question that Carter is immensely talented but his character has come into question following his involvement in a crash that involved the death of his teammate and a Georgia staffer. Carter was given 12 months probation and fined $1,000 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving. The Eagles are doing their homework on Carter and had him in for a visit, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Many people think Carter is one of the best overall players in this class. Even if he doesn't last until pick 10, he might be worthy of a trade-up.

Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: Smith (6-2, 238) said he had an "amazing visit" with the Eagles last month. Smith is an undersized edge rusher and is somewhat of a projection but has impressive traits and has drawn comparisons to Eagles star Haason Reddick.

B.J. Ojulari, Edge, LSU: The younger brother of Azeez Ojulari is expected to be an early-round pick himself. Ojulari (6-2, 248) is definitely more of a speed rusher and was a first-team All-SEC player in 2022. His visit was reported by Aaron Wilson.

Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern: The Eagles also brought in top tackle prospect Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State and then they brought in Skoronski, according to Jordan Schultz. Skoronski is one of the top offensive linemen in this draft. After playing left tackle at Northwestern, he might be better suited to play guard in the NFL.

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: The Eagles have Darius Slay and James Bradberry under contract but they're taking a look at one of the top corners in this draft, according to Aaron Wilson. Porter is a big corner who was too handsy at times at the college level. But he has a lot of tools and is expected to be a first-round pick.

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia: Ringo is 6-foot-2, 207 pounds and ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. He's an absolute freak with traits that any coaching staff would want to develop. Ringo is far from a finished product and some think his best position at the NFL level might end up being safety. His visit was reported by Jordan Schultz.

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State: The Eagles are one of several teams bringing in Forbes for a visit, according to Jon Sokoloff, who covers Mississippi State. Most people think the top three corners in this draft class are Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon and Joey Porter Jr. Forbes is in that next class but is still a possible first-round pick. Forbes is very skinny at 6-1, 166 pounds but can flat-out fly. He ran a 4.35 at the combine. He had three pick-sixes in 2022 on six interceptions.

Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa: The Eagles are hosting a potential first-round edge rusher, according to Josh Norris. The Eagles have two first-round picks in April and we know they’re never shy about using top picks on defensive linemen.

In his most recent mock draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gave the Eagles Van Ness (6-5, 272) with the No. 10 pick. That might sound early for a guy who wasn’t a starter in college, but he was productive and projects as a bit-time pass rusher at the NFL level. He had 6 1/2 sacks in 2022. And because of his frame, many believe Van Ness can play at a few different spot along the defensive line. And his athletic profile is noteworthy too.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: Robinson broke the news of his visit on social media and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirmed that Robinson is indeed in town for a top-30 visit. Robinson is widely considered to be the best running back in this draft and one of the best overall players in this class. In 2022, Robinson rushed for over 1,500 yards with 18 touchdowns for the Longhorns. He also caught 19 passes for 314 yards and 2 more scores.

The Eagles haven’t drafted a running back in the first round since they used the No. 10 pick on Keith Byars back in 1986. The Eagles have the No. 10 pick in 2023 and if they want Bijan Robinson, they’ll probably have to use it to take him. He likely won’t be there when they pick at No. 30.

Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU: The Eagles are bringing in Roy for a top 30, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Roy (6-3, 305) had 4 sacks and 13 1/2 TFLs in his three-year career in Baton Rouge. But Roy is still somewhat raw and didn’t become a full-time starter until the 2022 season; he started just 13 total games for the Tigers.

Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State: The Eagles are bringing in the massive Ohio State tackle for a top-30, according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler. Jones is a mountain at 6-8, 374 pounds and was the starting right tackle for the Buckeyes in 2022. He also ran a 5.35 at the combine, which is pretty impressive at 374. But he didn’t participate in the short-area quickness drills so we’ll have to see if he does them at his pro day.

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State: One of the top offensive tackles in the NFL Draft will be coming to Philly for a visit, according to Jared Tokarz. Johnson could possibly be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft in April. At 6-6, 313 pounds, Johnson moved to left tackle for the 2022 season and played extremely well. He previously started at right guard in 2021.

Brodric Martin, DT, Western Kentucky: The Eagles and Chiefs have a visit scheduled with the enormous interior defensive lineman, Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reported.

Martin (6-4, 337 pounds) is a giant interior defensive lineman who might end up as a Day 3 pick. Martin began his college career at North Alabama before transferring to Western Kentucky. Over the last two seasons, he had 62 total tackles, 6 TFLs and 4 sacks. In his redshirt senior season, Martin started all 14 games for the Hilltopers, was a Conference USA Honorable Mention and was invited to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl. Martin could theoretically give the Eagles some depth at the nose tackle position behind Jordan Davis and possibly Marlon Tuipulotu.

Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast

Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube