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While it is nice to speculate what new weapons the Eagles will add in the draft, it is also important to know about the potential acquisitions of division opponents. The Cowboys and Giants could both use a starting defensive end and they may not need to select one in the first round to get a starter. Oregon State's Scott Crichton is a scary talent that will slip through the cracks of the first round due to the depth of this class.
College Career
A talented linebacker and defensive end from Tacoma, WA., Crichton committed to Oregon State in 2010 and redshirted as a freshman. In his first season of action, Crichton was named an first team Freshman All-American by several media outlets. He recorded 74 tackles and six sacks in his redshirt freshman season.
He continued to dominate offensive lineman as a sophomore and put up 44 tackles and nine sacks. In his junior year, Crichton was named a second team All-Pac-12 selection. His final year at Oregon State featured 46 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Combine Numbers
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 273 lbs
Arm Length: 32 3/4"
Hands: 10 1/8"
40: 4.84 seconds
Bench: 24 reps
Vertical Jump: 31.5 inches
Broad Jump: 108.0 inches
3-Cone: 7.19 seconds
Shuttle: 4.29 seconds (4th among DL in 2014)
Strengths
Crichton has a very mean motor as a defensive end. He is strong and will push back tackles with his initial burst. He has quality speed around the edge and uses his hands well. Crichton can get to his spot quick and wraps up well. He also has a solid inside more and can handle double teams. He has the potential to become a very good 4-3 defensive end.
Weaknesses
Crichton offers little when it comes to versatility. He is a 4-3 defensive end and that is pretty much it. He can get taken out of run plays at times due to a lack of awareness and he does bite on play-action fakes quite a bit. He seems to still be learning how play the run. There is some stiffness in the hips which forces him to rush with little bend.
Eagles Opponent Outlook
The Giants would seem like an ideal fit for Crichton in the second round. He is a solid replacement for Justin Tuck, who could be rotated with Mathias Kiwanuka in his rookie season. The Cowboys may also have interest, but with a lack of depth at the position, he may not be as appealing as an immediate starter. Both teams should consider him a tweener, who can play on the left or right end and be productive. It is all a matter of whether or not they want to invest an early pick on him.
Update: The Eagles reportedly put Crichton through linebacker drills and he looked very good in the workout. That said, it is a workout, so the Eagles will have to be comfortable with how he transitions to game speed in space. This is definitely a situation to watch.
Trust Your Own Eyes