Eagles Rookie Earl Wolff Hopes to Contribute Right Away

Eagles GM Howie Roseman SAID expects fifth-round pick Earl Wolff to focus on special teams as a rookie.

(Listen to Earl Wolff on the Sports Bash with Mike Gill)

"He’s an impressive guy," Roseman said of Wolff. "His ability to come right in, contribute on special teams as well while he is learning safety spot and then compete."

However, Wolff wants to do more his rookie season, he wants to step in an play right away.

"I can play both safeties, free and strong, so I hope I can help out right away," Wolff said on the Sports Bash.

Wolff has good size at 5-foot-11, 209, started 43 games at boundary safety for the Wolfpack, notching 9.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and maybe most impressive - he is a skilled ball stripper (eight career forced fumbles).

Dubbed the "heart of the defense" by NC State coach Tom O'Brien, Wolff earned first-team All-ACC honors as a senior, and feels he could come in and compete for playing time right away and even said he likes a certain former Eagles safety.

"I've always loved Brian Dawkins growing up," Wolff said.  "Once I made the move to safety is when I really started to watch him on tape."

Others, including draft expert and former safety Mike Mayock agree.

"If you go back and watch the tape, this kid is a good football player," said Mayock. "To most of America, he’s a sleeper. To NFL teams, he’s not.

The Eagles are hoping people know who he is sooner than later, if they do, the Eagles might have found a steal in the fifth round.