Eagles Close Out Draft With 6-9 Mihalik


Winslow Townson / USA TODAY Sports

Winslow Townson / USA TODAY Sports

Chip Kelly closed out the Eagles’ 2015 draft by selecting Boston College defensive lineman Brian Mihalik.

“Brian has a skill set that when you spit things through — height, weight, speed — he’s kind of off the charts,” said Kelly. “He’s (6-9), he weighs 300 pounds, he’s a 34-inch vertical jump, he ran a 4.88 (40), and he’s a productive player.”

Mihalik started all 12 regular-season games for Boston College last season, recording 27 tackles (4.5 for a loss) and 3.5 sacks. He played wide defensive end in BC’s 4-3 defense. Kelly believes he’s designed to be in a 3-4 scheme.

“He hasn’t been a two-gap player but we feel with the physical skill set he has, we can convert him to a four-technique,” said Kelly. “You want the prototype for big people beat up little people? I think he’s obviously the biggest person we’ve drafted or brought in since we’ve been here.

“He’a not a 4-3 defensive lineman. He’s a 3-4 defensive lineman so there are a certain amount of teams that he fit. And he’s that ideal, if you could put one together that’s what it is. He hasn’t played it so there is a projection there; that’s why he got drafted where he got drafted.”

Here’s a scouting report via NFL.com:

STRENGTHS

Tremendous length, with the body type to add more weight to his frame. Gets good arm extension. Has loose hips and good knee bend for a player his height.

WEAKNESSES

Doesn’t fight through blocks as well as he needs to. Lacks suddenness and a true counter move as a pass rusher. Shows issues with ball awareness. Slow-twitch player who was consistently blocked by Florida State TE Nick O’Leary, who is much smaller.

BOTTOM LINE

There aren’t many athletic traits for him to hang his hat on, but he does have rare length and the type of frame that could make him an interesting developmental player in the future. His best position will likely be 3-4 DE.