Eagles Draft Profile: Shareef Miller has “a strong motor and quality speed”

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Penn State defensive end Shareef Miller with the No. 138 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

In order to learn more about Miller, I reached out to SB Nation’s Penn State blog: Black Shoe Diaries. Nittany Lions writer Dylan Callaghan-Croley was kind enough to answer my questions.

1) Can you sum up what Miller’s college career was like?

Miller was one of Penn State’s most consistent pass rushers over the course of the last two seasons in Happy Valley. After redshirting his true freshman season, Miller became a regular for Brent Pry’s defense over the next three years, he appeared in 40 games and made 25 starts. Each year he was on the field, there was improvement that you could see but also on the stat sheet with his tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks rising each year of his career. He was also a great leader for the Nittany Lions defense this past season as it was rather young across the board and on the defensive line.

2) What are his strengths?

Miller was a good pass rusher for the Nittany Lions during his career but he also became really strong at setting the edge for the Lions defense especially in his senior season. He has a strong motor and quality speed which allows him to get past certain lineman just off pure persistence. He has the ability to be a three-down lineman as well which should help him after the first few years of his career.

3) What are his weaknesses?

Miller’s biggest weakness in my mind is that his skillset when it comes to getting by lineman is still pretty bland. He doesn’t do anything fantastic and he only has a few moves. So developing more of a repertoire of moves will be important to his future success. Additionally, he needs to get better with his hands but both are things that can come with working with the Eagles coaching staff.

4) Are you surprised where he was drafted? Higher or lower than expected? Just right?

Miller went just about where we all expected, we expected somewhere between rounds four and six. If he stayed another year, he could have potentially moved into that third and fourth round range but for this year, his draft position was just about right.

5) How do you see his NFL career playing out?

I don’t think Miller will ever be a dominating pass rusher but I think he will earn his keep in the NFL and put together a decent career. He could definitely develop into a starter but I envision him as a rotational player who could excel in certain situations for the first two or three years of his career. That makes Philadelphia, a perfect situation for Miller. For a late round draft pick, he has a high ceiling and a rather high floor. If he can develop his pass rush techniques and moves, the sky could be the limit for Miller.

6) Anything to know about him off the field?

The most important thing to know about Miller is not one to shy away from when it comes to adversity and he is one strong person both physically, mentally, and emotionally. A lot of that can be contributed to what Miller has been through off the field especially having a rough upbringing living in North Philly. Just before enrolling in Penn State, his older brother was tragically shot and killed. That being said, Miller is a hard worker and grinds in the gym, in the film room, and on the field. With all that, I think Miller could become a player that Eagles fans rally around especially being a home town kid. Add in anything he does on the field and Miller could become a really nice story around Philly.

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