Eagles Add Linebacker Jordan Hicks in the Third Round

In the third round tonight, the Eagles selected Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks with the No. 84 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.  Hicks, rebounding from a pair of injury-shortened seasons in 2012 and 2013 to become an efficient tackler this season.

The move comes as somewhat as a surprise as the Eagles are pretty deep at the linebacker position right now.  While Hicks has played both inside and outside, he seems to fit better inside where Demeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks are already in a crowded house. On the outside, Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham just got paid, plus last years first round pick Marcus Smith is still here.

"This was clear-cut there was nobody even remotely close to Jordan (Hicks) on our board," Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said.  "He was our highest rated guy left on the board by far."

Hicks tallied 24 career tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two INTs.  Kelly suggested that Hicks could learn from Alonso, Ryans and Kenricks and help out on special teams right away and is a three-down type of linebacker.

"We want guys that are three-down linebackers," Kelly stated.

One of their three-down linebackers is Kendricks who many have speculated could be traded but as Kelly stated the Eagles haven't taken any calls for the talented linebacker nor have they called teams about any of their players.

"We haven't offered any of our players for anything,"  Kelly explained.

Kelly said no teams have called about Kendricks and that he expected him to be back with the team.