Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden spoke highly of the quarterback class in this year's draft during a conference call Tuesday afternoon.
The former Super Bowl winning coach, who highlights the draft's top signal callers in his annual "Quarterback Camp" series for ESPN, spent time with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and came away impressed.
"He's quiet," Gruden said. "He is very much not interested in himself. He could care less about his individual achievement. He could care less about where he goes in this draft.
"He is very sharp. Has a photographic memory. He can remember everything you put on a chalkboard for several hours and he can go out and execute it quickly."
It would be shocking if Mariota and Florida State's Jameis Winston weren't the first two quarterbacks off the board. The third is debatable but almost certainly will be either UCLA's Brett Hundley, Baylor's Bryce Petty or Colorado State's Garrett Grayson.
Gruden likes Grayson.
"His measurables are very good," Gruden said. "He runs a 4.7 (40-yard dash). He's proven that he's a good pocket passer. He's played for two coaches that have been in the NFL. I got a feeling he's gonna be a good pro quarterback provided he gets on a team where there is some continuity."
NFL
Grayson (6-2, 213) racked up 4,006 yards passing last season, throwing 32 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He led the Rams to a 10-3 record last year in his senior season (more on him in Ron Burke's Eagles mock).
The guy that may intrigue Eagles fans more is Hundley. If you're of the belief that Kelly prefers a mobile quarterback (and you've given up on the Mariota-Kelly reunion), then Hundley appears to be a great fit. Gruden loves Hundley's physical ability but doesn't see him as a "plug and play" quarterback.
"If you know Hundley, you know he has a real confident, charismatic vibe about him," Gruden said. "He is very physically talented. Ran the ball almost 500 times at UCLA. He has a strong arm.
"I think he needs to refine his pocket mechanics a little bit. There's some things in his delivery that I think he can quicken, but he wants it real bad. You got a lot of talent to work with, and he's very intelligent and I think very confident in himself."
Options at O-line
Among the Eagles' several needs is to bolster the group that protects the QB.
Chip Kelly likes versatile players, and the 6-5, 313-pound Cameron Erving out of Florida State can play all five spots on the O-line.
Erving is a converted defensive lineman that moved to left tackle before becoming a two-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy given to the ACC's top blocker as a center.
"He's got versatility that is rare and unique -- especially rare coming out of college," Gruden said. "Long, tall, athletic, great range.
"Just think what he'll be able to do with a full training camp and a couple years of experience. I still don't think he's a washed out left tackle. I think he can be pretty good out there. I think he's one of the more intriguing players in this draft."
Erving or Oregon's Jake Fisher, whom Gruden listed as one of his sleepers, could help replace Todd Herremans and possibly guard Evan Mathis, whose future with the Eagles is uncertain.
Eventually, Erving or Fisher could slide over to right tackle when Jason Peters decides to end his terrific career and give way to his heir apparent, Lane Johnson, at left tackle.
Replacing Maclin
The Eagles got great value when they selected Jordan Matthews out of Vanderbilt in the second round last year (see Reuben Frank's all-time Eagles ranks).
As part of a star-studded receiving crop in last year's draft, Matthews hauled in 67 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns while doing most of his work out of the slot.
This year's draft appears to be littered with talented receivers as well. The Eagles could select a receiver with their first pick, but Gruden believes the depth at the position doesn't make that a necessity.
"You could really say there's nine or 10 (receivers) that could be considered in the first round," Gruden said. "You can get a really good receiver this year in the second or third round. No question."
Gruden referenced three receivers the Eagles have been linked to: UCF's Breshad Perriman, USC's Nelson Algohor and Miami's Phillip Dorsett. He likened the speedy, undersized Dorsett to Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton. The Eagles, according to NationalFootballPost.com, had Dorsett in for a visit Monday.
If they do decide to go receiver at No. 20, they won't be short on options, though it may behoove them to wait.
