2017 NFL Draft: Eagles will reportedly work out Joe Mixon and Dalvin Cook

The Eagles will work out 2017 NFL Draft running back prospects Joe Mixon and Dalvin Cook next week, according to Howard Eskin. (Hat tip to Philly Football Talk).

“Next week, I believe the Eagles are working out those two running backs that everybody has questions about,” said Eskin in a Thursday appearance on SportsRadio 94WIP. “So that will be interesting too.”

Mixon and Cook are believed to be two of the most talented running backs in this year’s draft class. Both players also come with significant off field concerns.

In the case of Mixon, he was caught on camera punching a woman in the face. As a result, she suffered a broken jaw. Mixon also received a suspension last year for an incident with a parking attendant.

As for Cook, the Florida State running back has never been found guilty of crime, but he’s been connected to multiple off field incidents. In 2014, he was accused of punching a woman in the face. He was also issued a citation for mistreating puppies later that same year. His troubled history goes back even further:

As a juvenile, Cook was arrested and charged with robbery in 2009, according to files obtained through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Prosecutors opted to drop the case. Cook was also arrested and charged with firing a weapon and possessing a weapon at an event on school property in 2010, according to FDLE records. The third-degree felony charge was dropped or abandoned.

The Eagles have a big need at running back, but they’ll have to determine if Cook and Mixon are worth the risk. Meeting them in person could only serve to help the team gather more information on the prospects. NFL teams will especially want to meet with Mixon since he wasn’t allowed to attend this year’s NFL Combine. Note that the Eagles already hosted Cook on an official pre-draft visit in Philadelphia last week.

For more on Mixon, check out BGN’s scouting report on him.

Joe Mixon's physical gifts, but lack of polish as a running back, is reminiscent of Tevin Coleman. Coleman was a bigger runner out of Indiana who made his money off of his incredible athletic ability. He did not have great vision, balance or natural strength, but his speed allowed him to get away with a lot. Coleman has developed nicely for the Falcons into a home run threat type change up in their running game and a dynamic chess piece in their passing game. Mixon could start his NFL career similarly and absolutely has the potential to develop into a top back.

Joe Mixon spider graph:

BGN’s scouting report on Cooks can be found by clicking here:

It is hard not to watch Dalvin Cook and not think of Jamaal Charles. Charles has been one of the best backs in the league during his career and his blend of consistency and athletic ability allowed him to gain at least five yards per carry in every full season he played, a remarkable and unmatched feat. The two runners are both extraordinarily gifted runners and receivers whose biggest concern is health and being slightly skinny for the position.

On field, there is no doubt that Cook is the best back in this class and his talent alone warrants a top 10 selection. The combine will be pivotal for him in terms of proving he has NFL size and also that he can get through interviews proving maturity. For the Eagles, Cook is the every down threat the Eagles desperately need who could serve as the bell cow in the running game while immediately becoming the eagles most dynamic option in the passing game. If he were sitting there at the Eagles pick, I am sure Jamaal Charles’ former offensive coordinator will be thinking pretty seriously about drafting the next great Eagles running back.

Dalvin Cook spider graph: