The College Football Playoff is loaded with NFL-caliber players that could help the Eagles next season.
It's no secret the team's biggest needs are on the perimeter at receiver and corner. With that said, there are still plenty of positions where the Eagles need depth.
Here are a few players to watch closely during the first game of the CFP.
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl - No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama, 3 p.m., ESPN
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama, redshirt sophomore, (6-1/196)
A few weeks ago, I wouldn't even have profiled Humphrey. But with the possibility of the Eagles' first-round pick via the Vikings being as high as No. 9, it's not impossible Humphrey could be on the board (not probable, but not impossible). Humphrey has the makings of a legit No. 1 corner the Eagles desperately need. He has world-class speed, which shows up on the field with great closing speed. Good luck trying to throw a receiver screen to his side of the field.
Sidney Jones, CB, Washington, junior, (6-0/181)
The Eagles have a more realistic shot at Jones and he'd be one heck of a consolation prize. Jones is arguably the best player in a Washington secondary that features four NFL prospects. Alabama head coach Nick Saban compared them to the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom. If that's the case, Jones is the Richard Sherman of that group (albeit a quieter version). After racking up six interceptions and 15 pass deflections in his first two seasons, team's haven't tested him nearly as much. He's aggressive, physical and can excel in either man or zone schemes.
Kevin King, CB, Washington, senior, (6-3/192)
The teams throwing away from Jones are throwing at King. That hasn't gone very well either. King has the size and length Chip Kelly would've salivated over. With that said, I'm not sure he's a fit for Jim Schwartz's defense. The Eagles traded the long, rangy Eric Rowe at the behest of Schwartz. King is aggressive and has more swagger to his game, which Schwartz may like. Really don't know what NFL team wouldn't be interested in these ball skills.
John Ross, WR, Washington, junior, (5-11/190)
Sorry it took me four prospects into this to get to a receiver, but Ross is worth the wait. Ross is stupid fast. His 14.8 yards per catch is a little misleading because they have him run a lot of short routes, but the 17 touchdowns are a little more telling. Ross' best trait is that he's not just a pure burner. He's actually a very good route runner and has shown the ability to get off jams at the college level. Hopefully quarterback Jake Browning will be given some time so we can see the matchup of Ross vs. Humphrey.
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama, junior, (6-6/310)
I'm not sure how Eagles fans would react to the team taking an offensive lineman in the first round, but hey, it's a plan that's worked out pretty well for the Cowboys. In a draft that doesn't feature great depth along the offensive line, Robinson is truly the only "elite" prospect. He started as a freshman and is a dominant run blocker. It's not unrealistic to think you could move Robinson inside to left guard. If the Eagles bring back Jason Peters, they could put Peters and Robinson on the left with Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson on the right. That would be a very strong unit.
