2013 NFL draft: Eagles looking for more size on defense

Dan Pompeii had an interesting nugget in his Sunday morning blitz column today about a new direction the Eagles may go under Chip Kelly, specifically as it relates to defensive players in the draft.

He says they'll be looking for taller guys.

If new Eagles coach Chip Kelly adopts some of the strategies he was using at Oregon, the Eagles will begin coveting "longer" players. Kelly's NCAA teams were known for their speed and stamina but Oregon was also recruiting taller players across the board, particularly on defense where he made length a priority with a recent change in philosophy. Some people around the league believe the Eagles will begin seeking taller players on that side of the ball.

This certainly does jive with the idea that Chip Kelly will make the switch to a 3-4. Typically in that system, you want your lineman to be taller guys with long arms. Fletcher Cox is really a great example of a guy who would fit well as a 3-4 DE. He's got a 6-4 frame with 34.5 inch arms.

So if the Eagles were looking for "length" on defense, there are a few guys that could fit that mold. DE Barkevious Mingo is 6-5, LB Jarvis Jones is 6-3, Damontre Moore is 6-4, Star Lotulelei is 6-4.

The guy who probably typifies Chip Kelly's love of size on defense is 6-7 DE Dion Jordan from Oregon. BYU DE Ezekiel Ansah is 6-6 and put on a show at the Senior Bowl.