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Picking the Philadelphia Eagles' best Round 3 draft target ahead of the 2024 NFL Combine

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kelsey Kramer | Last updated 2/27/24

After already picking the Philadelphia Eagles' best Round 1 and Round 2 draft targets it's time to move on to Round 3.

If the Eagles do not address their off-ball linebacker need in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL draft, then they must do that with their lone third-round pick.

The Eagles pick at No. 97 overall in the third round this year.

Below we'll take a look at the best prospect that they should target in Round 3.

The Eagles should select Carolina LB Cedric Gray with the No. 97th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Eagles thought they found their off-ball linebacker answer in Nakobe Dean in the 2022 NFL draft, but that has not been the case.

Riddled with injuries or not, Dean has been nothing but a liability and the Eagles lack depth at the position.

So, it's time to address that by selecting Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray at No. 97th overall.

In four seasons with the Tar Heels, Gray played in 51 games with 39 starts and achieved 369 total tackles (199 solo), 8.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries.

Here's what Bleacher Report's scouting analysts have to say about Grayy:

"Cedric Gray has been a highly productive linebacker with 365 total tackles during his last three seasons at North Carolina. Part of that is because he's a hustle player who plays snap to whistle and will make touchdown-saving tackles down the field, but he also has plenty of strengths against the run and in coverage," - BR NFL Scouting Deparment

The 6-foot-2.5 and 235-pound Carolina product boosted his draft stock at the Reese's Senior Bowl earlier this month from a Day 3 to a Day 2 pick.

Cedric Gray has boosted his stock at the Senior Bowl. Nice PBU here pic.twitter.com/r63P7DVlxJ
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 3, 2024

What If Gray Isn't Available?

So what happens if Gray is not available?

If Isaac isn't there at No. 97 overall for the Eagles in the third round, there are a handful of other off-ball linebacker prospects that Philly could turn to.

Here's some from A to Z Sports Destin Adams' top 15 linebackers list:

6. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

7. Jaylan Ford, Texas

8. Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri

9. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

10. Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

11. JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

12. Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

13. James Williams, Miami

14. Tyrice Knight, UTEP

15. Darius Muasau, UCLA

Final Word

There are not many very talented off-ball linebackers in this year's class.

With Gray getting a lot of recognition at the Senior Bowl, the Eagles shouldn't pass him up if he's still on the board in Round 3 -- as long as he tests well at the Combine.

Eagles fans can join Eagles scouts, general manager, and coaches as they get a better look at Gray when he showcases his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine this week on NFL Network.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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