Buccaneers 2017 NFL Draft: Evaluating the Last Five Picks at Number 84

2015: Jordan Hicks

After a 10-6 season that saw the Eagles miss the playoffs, Chip Kelly and company looked to beef up their defense a bit. They were looking for a new voice to “quarterback” their defense. They wanted someone who could come in and boost the play of guys like Trent Cole, Connor Barwin and Emmanuel Acho. They found their man in the third round with the 84th overall pick. Jordan Hicks was the man brought in to get the job done.

According to Lance Zierlein, Hicks was overdrafted by being chosen in the third round:

"Hicks sticks to the script and “plays through a straw” — seeing just what is in front of him — but he has the necessary size, speed and athleticism to stick in the league. Hicks is an improving player who will live in the film room and might end up overdrafted on the upside potential."

He believed that Hicks was better suited as a 4-5 round pick. To his credit, however, Hicks has continued as a player on the rise. He started five games during his rookie season of 2015, and before he was injured, he was the Eagles leading tackler. He finished with 50 tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack. One of his interceptions came in week nine against the Cowboys, when he took one back 67 yards to record a pick six.

Hicks came back strong last season, starting every game. He amassed 85 tackles, one sack, 11 passes defended and five interceptions. Hicks has proven that he can be a solid member of the Eagles defense now and into the future.

2016 softens the blow that two picks after Hicks was selected, David Johnson came off the board. Chip Kelly might still be working if he had Johnson in his offense.