One of my favorite things to do every offseason is to go back and compare my post-draft notes on the Eagles’ rookies with how they actually looked when they got on the field. It’s a fun blend of film study, self-evaluation, and a check on how well certain traits really translate to the NFL. I won’t be writing full scouting reports, as I did that after the draft. This series is more about reflecting on his rookie season. Did the player perform as expected? Did anything surprise me? And what do I think comes next? At the end of each article, I’ll give my updated outlook for that player in the future.
Previously: Quinyon Mitchell / Cooper DeJean / Jalyx Hunt / Will Shipley / Johnny Wilson
This will be the final one in this series and I’ll keep these short and sweet because these players didn’t play enough to truly evaluate. I’ll do them in order of when they were drafted!
Ainias Smith (Round 5)
Let’s start with my post-draft review of Ainias Smith:
I wish I could prove this… but I had a feeling Ainias Smith would be an Eagles target. I promise I’m not lying! I wrote down on my Eagles’ draft spreadsheet after watching one game ‘Day 3 Eagles Target’ but I deleted it as I didn’t get around to watching him in enough detail to include him in my guide. I am extremely annoyed that I didn’t watch him properly, as I would have saved myself some work!
Smith is a perfect day 3 target for Kellen Moore’s offense. I think Kellen Moore desperately wanted a profile like this for his offense (Parris Campbell has a similar skillset) so I think Smith could develop into a potential WR3/4 in this offense. The big issue with Smith is that I don’t think he can play outside, which is a problem with modern offenses that like moving players all around the formation. Another issue with Smith is his size doesn’t make him a great blocker, which may limit his snaps for someone like the Eagles who will likely run the ball a lot this year.
Overall, I do expect Smith to make the roster and I think he can contribute as the season progresses with some manufactured touches, and I expect him to have a role on special teams. This feels like a pretty sensible round 5 pick. I will never complain about the Eagles adding explosive athletes on day 3 of the draft. Smith feels like a player who will have way more value in real life than he will in fantasy, which sometimes allows players like him to fall under the radar. He may never develop into a WR1/2, but I think he could be a really good football player who can contribute to this offense.
Summary
I was right about Ainias Smith making the 53-man roster. That’s about the only thing I got right here!
“I do expect Smith to make the roster and I think he can contribute as the season progresses with some manufactured touches, and I expect him to have a role on special teams.”
Smith played just 96 offensive snaps all season, and when he did get on the field, I didn’t see the juice or suddenness I expected. There wasn’t the dynamic burst I had hoped would show up once he was working in space. I was underwhelmed. More than anything, I misread how he’d fit into Kellen Moore’s offense.
“Smith is a perfect day 3 target for Kellen Moore’s offense… I think Smith could develop into a potential WR3/4 in this offense.”
That never really happened. Moore didn’t feature a gadget-style slot weapon as much as I thought he might, and Smith’s lack of size and blocking ability meant he was rarely used. I envisioned him as a chess piece but he it didn’t happen.
At this point, I’m not convinced he’ll make the roster. He didn’t flash enough to earn more reps last year, and while I wouldn’t be mad if he stuck over Johnny Wilson, I don’t think either has a guaranteed spot. I haven’t totally given up as the skill set still has value but he needs to show more explosiveness in camp. Otherwise, he will likely end up on the practice squad, rather than the 53 man roster.
Jeremiah Trotter (Round 5)
One of my favorite Eagles picks from last year, here is what I said about Trotter:
I was pretty surprised that Trotter fell to the 5th but I think it’s pretty easy to figure out why. A lot of NFL teams will have criteria for size and if someone doesn’t meet that threshold, they won’t be on their board. I imagine a lot of NFL teams just simply didn’t have Trotter on their board due to his size, because the film shows a player that is better than a 5th-round pick.
I go back and forth on Trotter due to the size and where he was drafted. This is hardly a bold prediction, but after seeing him fall to the 5th round I think he probably will end up as a backup, but there’s still a part of me that thinks he could have a TJ Edwards career arc and end up as an above-average starter. If I go with my gut feeling that I thought pre-draft, I think Trotter could end up as a good starting linebacker. I hope he gets some opportunities to play this year, and I don’t think it’s impossible that by the start of next year, Trotter is one of the Eagles’ starting linebackers. We know that the Eagles organization does not value linebackers that highly, and it is unlikely that Trotter will compete with a high draft pick or an expensive free agent signing over the next couple of years.
My biggest concern with Trotter this year is that he’s in a crowded room with similar undersized linebackers who like to be kept clean. I think the Eagles are expecting the defensive line to be really strong and keep these linebackers clean this year. However, with the Eagles’ recent linebacker play, who knows when Trotter will be needed?
Summary
I loved this pick at the time, and nothing I saw in his rookie season has changed that. Trotter only played 111 defensive snaps, but when he was on the field, he looked like the same player he was at Clemson. His size and speed limitations didn’t magically disappear, but his feel for the game was evident when he played.
“I think Trotter could end up as a good starting linebacker. I hope he gets some opportunities to play this year, and I don’t think it’s impossible that by the start of next year, Trotter is one of the Eagles’ starting linebackers.”
That might still be a little optimistic, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Recent training camp reports have been positive, and the traits that made me believe in him still show up. He is obviously not as talented as Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell, so he will be behind them in the depth chart this season. However, Nakobe Dean’s injury might give him a chance to jump up to the 3rd linebacker spot.
“After seeing him fall to the 5th round I think he probably will end up as a backup, but there’s still a part of me that thinks he could have a TJ Edwards career arc.”
He may not have the size or athletic profile to be a three-down guy for a whole season, but as a backup and spot starter, I think he’s more than capable. Especially if the Eagles’ defensive line plays to its potential and keeps him clean.
He may not become a star, but if the Eagles need someone to step in and play in 2025, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trotter plays well. For a fifth-round pick, this already looks like smart value.
Trevor Keegan (Round 5)
Keegan barely played last year, so I don’t have much to add, but I’ll repeat my scouting report from last year nonetheless:
Trevor Keegan feels like a really good pick in the 5th round and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make the roster. He’s a 3-year starter who knows how to play the position and has the awareness that you want to see. He’s a physical run blocker who is slightly limited in space but is good enough in space to run a variety of concepts that I expect the Eagles to run this year (OZ, counter, pin/pull). He can also hold up in pass protection and although his pass protection numbers are excellent, I expect quicker interior lineman to cause him trouble.
The biggest issue with Keegan is a lack of versatility. I imagine that’s a huge reason why he fell to the 5th, as teams don’t want backup offensive linemen who can only play 1 position. I expect the Eagles will try to give Keegan reps at right guard too throughout the summer, as the Eagles will want him to be an option at both spots. If Keegan can develop on the right side too, then he should be an excellent backup at guard who can step in for a few games a season if needed. I have seen some comments about him playing tackle, but I don’t think he has the arm length or profile the Eagles look for at tackle.
If he reaches the potential that his athletic testing suggests he has, then it is possible he can develop into a starter. He isn’t going to start at left guard here while Landon Dickerson is here, but it’s possible he could push Tyler Steen if he struggles at right guard. Overall, I would expect him to make the roster and develop into a versatile backup who can start a few games a season if needed and maybe even become a full-time starter down the line if he reaches his athletic potential. For a 5th round pick, that’s pretty good.
Summary
Not much to add here! Keegan barely saw the field as a rookie, but that was always expected on an offensive line this deep. Based on what we saw in college and brief NFL action, I still think there’s something to develop here.
“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make the roster… He’s a physical run blocker who is slightly limited in space but is good enough in space to run a variety of concepts that I expect the Eagles to run this year.”
I was right that he’d make the roster last year, and I still think he’s a solid bet heading into 2025. Kenyon Green is probably the more popular name in the battle for backup left guard, but I won’t be surprised at all if Keegan ends up winning that job. I’d actually be a bit disappointed if Keegan doesn’t make the roster, because I think he has the traits to carve out a role here.
“If Keegan can develop on the right side too, then he should be an excellent backup at guard who can step in for a few games a season if needed.”
I mentioned his lack of versatility being an issue, but there have been reports he is training at center too. That’s an interesting development because the Eagles like keeping versatile lineman.
He may never be more than a spot starter, but for a 5th round pick, that’s still a win. If he can continue to develop, especially in terms of positional versatility, he could quietly be a valuable depth piece for this team going forward.
FYI: I’ve ignored Dylan McMahon as he was cut! He was the Eagles’ final pick in the 6th round but now he plays for the Los Angeles Rams.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here.
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