This is part two of giving draft grades to every player the Eagles selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. These grades will be based the Eagles team needs going into the draft, how they performed in college and if it’s a good fit for the Philadelphia Eagles. This article will cover the players that were taken by Philadelphia in rounds 5-7. You can find part one of this series by checking out 2021 Eagles Draft Grades: Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-7 filled some roster holes, mainly around the defense. The Eagles took two defensive linemen, a linebacker and an edge rusher, as they look to add depth defensively. They also added depth in the running back position to back up Miles Sanders and Boston Scott. This is the 2021 Eagles Draft Grades: Rounds 5-7.
150th Overall: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
Grade: C+
The Eagles already have Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, which is a solid running back depth chart going into the season. Philadelphia added another in Kenneth Gainwell with their fifth-round selection. The Eagles always look towards the future and Gainwell can be that solid back within a couple of years. He is a speedy and elusive back that has shades of Boston Scott in him. In 2019, he had a whale of a year at Memphis where he racked up 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Gainwell fits the running back profile the Eagles have on the roster already, which are quick backs who have explosiveness. The downfalls of this pick is that we have not seen Gainwell in a year, as he opted out of the 2020 season. Secondly, the Eagles already have solid depth at this position, it would have been nice to see them take a running back in round 6 or 7.
189th Overall: Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
Grade: B
Tuipulotu is a hard hitting defensive tackle and will give Fletcher Cox help at right tackle. He provided the Trojans with 12 tackles in a shortened last season at USC. Tuipulotu is fast and athletic and can find ways to get to the quarterback. He had two sacks during his 2020 campaign.
Photo Courtesy of Wally Skalij/ Los Angeles Times
Tuipulotu provided the Trojans with 4.5 sacks in 2017 and two in 2019. He has strength, which make up for being a little undersized. This is a quality pick in the late rounds and it will not hurt the Eagles to have more depth on the line.
No.191st Overall: Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina
Grade: B+
Jackson is a quality defensive edge rusher that is explosive. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has already hyped up an explosive offense. The Eagles are doing much of the same defensively in adding Jackson to the defense. Jackson is quick and athletic. He has shown in his college career that his speed and strength allows him to get past the offensive line. Jackson had 8.5 sacks in his final season as a Chanticleer. He also racked 54 tackles with 14 tackles being for a loss. He makes for a perfect edge rusher to back up to Brandon Graham. This is another quality pick in the later rounds of the draft.
224th Overall: Jacoby Stevens, LB/ S , LSU
Grade: C+
Stevens has been one of the best safeties at LSU for a few years now. In 2020, he had 63 total tackles and three sacks. Stevens is hard hitting and provides opportunities at creating turnovers. He has also shown that he can use his hands too, in his career at LSU. Jones did not have any interceptions in the 2020 season, but has produced them in prior seasons. He had three interceptions in 2019 and one in 2018. He is a big 6’2 safety that has lengthiness and speed to provide excellent pass defense. Stevens is listed as a linebacker in the draft. Jacoby Stevens can shine at linebacker given his strength, size and versatility.
Photo Courtesy of Josh Auzenne/WAFB-TV
Stevens was a safety in college but he was listed as a linebacker in the draft. The downside to this pick is that Stevens has played his career as a safety and the Eagles will have to develop him as a quality NFL linebacker. Stevens is definitely NFL ready and will be able produce either way.
234th Overall: Patrick Johnson, DE/LB, Tulane
Grade: B
The Eagles clearly need depth and help at linebacker as Alex Singleton took much of the load in 2020. Patrick Johnson is another speedy edge rusher that can get to the quarterback. He is proficient in tackling as he racked up 36 total tackles, 11 of those tackles for losses. The Tulane edge rusher is a sack machine as he produced 11.5 sacks in his final season with the Green Wave.
Johnson can also provide the Eagles defense with turnovers as he can lay down the lumber on the opponent. Johnson had two forced fumbles in his 2020 season with Tulane. He can play defensive edge or linebacker, so the Eagles have flexibility with Johnson with filling positions. Overall, this was not a bad option for the Eagles, as it can only add solid depth defensively.
Overall, the Eagles gained a lot of strength defensively. Both potential linebackers they have drafted are hybrids. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do with Johnson and Stevens. The Eagles really focused on the future in this draft, which is not a bad route. It will be interesting to see what the Eagles will do in 2021. This is the 2021 Eagles Draft Grades: Rounds 5-7.
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