Coming out of the week 5 bye and into a game against the Cleveland Browns, the Eagles are expected to start rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean in the slot, replacing Avonte Maddox.
The move comes as Philly’s defense ranks 27th after four games, giving up approximately 365.8 yards each. It also places the Eagles’ top two 2024 Draft selections together in the defensive backfield for the first time ever. Hopefully, the first time is for a long time.
DeJean was a Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, a Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, and a unanimous consensus All-American at the University of Iowa.
PHOTO: WikiCommons
Twenty-two years earlier — in the NFL Draft of 2002 — the Eagles selected Sheldon Brown alongside Lito Sheppard to help anchor Jim Johnson’s secondary. Sheppard was taken in the first round, Brown in the second. The result of both additions helped to produce one of the finest Eagles’ defenses since the early 1990s — an attacking defense with innovative blitz packages from the creative mind of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, whose defensive schemes made opposing teams feel like the Eagles had twenty-five defenders on the field instead of eleven. As a team — those Eagles would advance to three more NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl before both players were no longer on the team.
Through four games of the 2024 NFL season — Quinyon Mitchell has been targeted and singled out by opposing defenses. By en-large, he has not only shown his ability and skills as a defender but also his fiery will to compete. For fellow draft-class member Cooper DeJean — the road to his first NFL action has been a little more tenuous. DeJean injured his hamstring before Training Camp. Thrust into action on special teams due to a shoulder injury to returner Britain Covey, last week DeJean fumbled a punt return when the officials picked up a flag for kick-catch interference after Isaiah Rodgers, Jr. blocked a Tampa Bay Player into him. Later, Kelle Ringo plowed in DeJean on another return opportunity.
Avonte Maddox — selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft one year removed from the Eagles Super Bowl Championship— has been to five playoff appearances with the Eagles, including Super Bowl LVII in 2023. After a string of injuries over the next four years, Maddox was released by the Eagles in March of 2024 and re-signed with the team one month later.
For the Eagles — the hope is that starting the future of the secondary now can help solidify a Vic Fangio defense that has yet to battle NFC East receivers such as Malik Nabers, CeeDee Lamb, and Terry McLaurin in 2024.
If the secondary doesn’t make those plays in 2024 — they won’t be playing into the winter of 2025.
It may have been the shortest answer of Howie Roseman’s life.
The question: “Would you have been surprised five days ago to look at this class and see that you didn’t draft an offensive lineman until round five?”
The answer: “Mm-hmm.”
Along with cornerback, offensive line was the Eagles’ biggest need going into the draft.
They signed veteran Matt Hennessy to a one-year contract in free agency, but after Jason Kelce’s retirement, after veteran spot starters Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll signed with the Buccaneers and Dolphins, with Lane Johnson turning 34 in two weeks, with right guard a big, giant unknown, it seemed like a slam dunk the Eagles would draft an offensive lineman somewhere in Day 1 or Day 2.
Maybe a couple.
This draft’s strength and depth on the o-line seemed to match the Eagles’ pressing need. But in the end, for the first time since 2018, the Eagles didn’t draft an offensive lineman in the first four rounds.
“It’s just how the board fell,” Roseman said Saturday night. “I think there was a run on offensive linemen in some areas where we didn’t pick. When we came back and picked in some of those rounds, it didn’t really fit.
“We felt like it was more important to stay true to our board than to just kind of reach.”
You’d rather see the Eagles pass up offensive linemen than reach for one. And it’s hard to argue with Quinyon Mitchell or Cooper DeJean at No. 22 and 40. And the Eagles just liked Jalyx Hunt far more at No. 94 than any offensive linemen. And it’s interesting to note that only one of the next 19 players taken after the Eagles selected Hunt was an offensive lineman. Same with Will Shipley in the fourth round. Only one of the next 31 players taken after him was an offensive lineman.
So the league saw things the same way as the Eagles.
Doesn’t mean they got it right, but it does mean they were true to their process, which is the most you can ask for right now.
The Eagles are settled at left tackle with Jordan Mailata, left guard with Landon Dickerson and Johnson at right tackle. They seem convinced Jurgens can handle center. But without a big-time o-line prospect, two gaping holes in the o-line room remain: Competition for Tyler Steen at right guard and a backup offensive tackle.
There was a school of thought that if the Eagles could get one of the top offensive linemen in the draft, he could compete at right guard from Day 1 and eventually replace Johnson.
Instead, the only offensive linemen the Eagles drafted were 5th-round Michigan guard Trevor Keegan and 6th-round center Dylan McMahon and while any o-lineman has a chance at panning out under Jeff Stoutland, they’re definitely long shots.
So as of now, the top backup tackle is Fred Johnson and the inside backups are Hennessy, Keegan, McMahon and Brett Toth. And that’s assuming Steen works out at right guard.
It’s only April, but you know Roseman will continue looking to upgrade.
“I think we have a long time until we play the first game,” he said. “We drafted a guy in the third round last year that we’re excited about. We’ve brought in some guys here that have started before in the league, and competition will bring out the best.
“Again, we like the players we have on the roster, and this process is not complete. It’s not going to be complete for a long time at any position, so we’re going to constantly be looking. I promise next week we’re not taking the week off and sitting at the pool. We’re going to be looking at our lists and seeing what’s out there, and we’ll do that every day until we can’t do it anymore.”
“Excited about the two guys that we got (and) excited about a couple of the guys that we signed here in the offseason. Not only in free agency, but getting a guy from a practice squad (former Chiefs 5th-round pick Darian Kinnard) and some of our younger guys. Again, we’ll always look to add.”
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The second round of the NFL Draft is underway Friday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to the No. 40 pick (from Commanders) to select Iowa CB Cooper DeJean.
Philadelphia sent picks 50, 53 and 161 to the Commanders in exchange for picks 40, 78 and 152.
DeJean broke his lower leg in November but has been cleared to return to football activities. He is one of the best ballhawks in this class and also one of the best punt returners available, having averaged 13.1 yards per return over the last two seasons.
FILE – Iowa defensive back Cooper Dejean speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Mitchell ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The Eagles took a cornerback in the first round for the first time since 2002. The Eagles believe they have a shutdown cornerback who projects as an impact player with fellow cornerback Darius Slay in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
“I feel like right now, I’m with the right fit, I’m with the right organization with the right players, the right city,” Mitchell said.
CARMICHAEL, Calif. (KTXL) – Marauders head football coach Marlon Blanton watches from Jesuit High School as his former student athlete Laiatu Latu is selected 15th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft.
Blanton talks with FOX40’s Sean Cunningham about how proud he is of his former player, what it means to the school to see him make the NFL and Latu’s Sacramento roots.
Latu, 23, was the first defensive player to be selected in Thursday’s NFL Draft. He was the consensus Associated Press First Team All-American defensive end last year with UCLA, where he led the nation 21.5 tackles for loss.
Latu posted career highs with 49 tackles, 13 sacks and two interceptions last season with the Bruins. He spent two seasons with UCLA, transferring from Washington where his football career nearly came to an end due to a neck injury.
Latu missed the 2020 and 2021 seasons and was medically retired at one point following neck fusion surgery. He returned to action in 2022 when he transferred to UCLA.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound edge rusher was the Bruins first winner of the Lombardi Award last season, which is awarded to the nation’s top defensive lineman in college football.
DETROIT — LSU quarterback and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the number two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was the highest selection Washington made at the quarterback position since Robert Griffin III was picked with the second pick in 2012.
Washington also considered quarterbacks Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy during their pre-draft process.
“It just starts with I’m just coming in to compete,” Daniels said. “I’m coming in and trying to play my role whatever that is. I just want to be the best teammate, help the team win and we can bring back some victories to Washington and we can have some fun.”
During his press conference, Daniels highlighted his optimism regarding joining the fraternity of African-American quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL.
“You know, I’ve been watching those guys perform at a high level,” Daniels said. “You know, guys like CJ Stroud, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts, those type of guys. And now to be a part of the family and to be able to compete against them, it’s amazing for me to be a part of that. We’re in a tight knit community.”
The Washington Commanders has not had a winning season since 2016 and Daniels is tasked ignite a fan base and city that is itching for a winner. Also, this is the first draft pick made by newly-minted head coach Dan Quinn.
“Dan Quinn is a great guy and a lot speak highly of who he is as a person and how he cares about his players,” Daniels added. “Their track record speaks for itself. Kliff Kingsbury was with Kyler [Murray], and for a time he had Kyler in the MVP conversation so I was excited to chop it up and talk ball with him.”
DETROIT — With the 8th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. Yes, the Falcons needed a quarterback to shore up their long-term future after current quarterback Kirk Cousins’s time in uniform is completed. However, the selection of Penix with the 8th pick after paying Cousins $180 million nearly six weeks ago, is absolutely shocking.
The decision to take Penix stunned the 275,000 people at Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.
First, Cousins’s earnings in 2024 ($12.5 million) and 2025 ($27.5 million) are fully guaranteed. If the Falcons were to release Cousins after the 2024 season, they’d be on the hook for $65 million in dead money and cost themselves $25 million in net cap space. Even a post-June 1 cut would leave $40 million in dead cap on Atlanta’s books, placing the team in cap Hell.
However, Penix was complimentary of Cousins Thursday night.
“He’s been in the league,” Penix said of Cousins in a phone call with the press. “He’s been in there for a while. He’s played a lot of football. I feel like I’m gonna come in and I’m gonna learn. I’m gonna learn from him.”
Penix’s credentials do not disappoint. He was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy last year and won the Maxwell Award, as the best all-around player in college football. Additionally, Penix led major college football with 4,903 passing yards in 2023 and was second in FBS in 2022 (4,641). Here’s some historical perspective: Penix is the first player with 4,500 passing yards or more in two straight seasons since Patrick Mahomes did it in 2015 and 2016 for Texas Tech.
However, Penix’s injury history made many teams pause: Penix had four separate season-ending injuries while playing for Indiana University. Penix tore his right ACL in 2018, dislocated his shoulder in 2019, tore his right ACL again in 2020 and separated the AC joint in his shoulder in 2021.
Now, the Falcons have to deal with the fact Penix, 23, would be at least 25 when it’s his turn to take the helm. Colloquially, the NFL stands for ‘Not For Long’ and the Falcons are in win-now mode. Apparently, the clock is ticking for Cousins, head coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot as owner Arthur Blank has given the team a mandate to win the NFC South for the first time since 2016.
Imhotep Charter’s Tykee Smith waiting to hear his name called at NFL Draft
Eagles’ top three needs
CB, OT, LB. The Eagles have to decide whether to bring back veteran corner James Bradberry, who had a rough 2023. Either way, they need a youth infusion. Darius Slay is 33, Bradberry is 30, and the secondary moved a beat too slow last season.
The Eagles need offensive line depth and have to start putting a succession plan in place for stalwart right tackle Lane Johnson.
Ideally, they’d find someone who can compete for the vacant right guard spot for this season and kick outside once Johnson retires — OT feels like a decent bet for Philly’s first-round pick.
Linebacker was a mess last season, and while the additions of Devin White and Oren Burks provide some hope, they need to continue to invest in the position — something they’ve been reluctant to do recently.
Philadelphia is scheduled to make eight of the draft’s 257 picks, beginning with the No. 22 selection of the first round.
Workers prepare for the NFL Draft Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
With locker room leaders Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retiring this offseason, Philly is in need of some help in the O-line and on defense. They could continue to build around last year’s first-round pick: defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Here’s everything you need to know before the fun begins:
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The 2024 NFL draft will take place from April 25 to 27. The first round will take place on Day 1, Rounds 2-3 will take place on Day 2, and Rounds 4-7 will take place on Day 3.
CB, OT, LB. The Eagles have to decide whether to bring back veteran corner James Bradberry, who had a rough 2023. Either way, they need a youth infusion. Darius Slay is 33, Bradberry is 30, and the secondary moved a beat too slow last season.
The Eagles need offensive line depth and have to start putting a succession plan in place for stalwart right tackle Lane Johnson.
Ideally, they’d find someone who can compete for the vacant right guard spot for this season and kick outside once Johnson retires — OT feels like a decent bet for Philly’s first-round pick.
Linebacker was a mess last season, and while the additions of Devin White and Oren Burks provide some hope, they need to continue to invest in the position — something they’ve been reluctant to do recently.
Earlier this year, Detroit’s Mootz Pizzeria + Bar announced a big expansion with the opening of its new cocktail lounge “Bar Mootz.” Ahead of this week’s NFL Draft, the new space is now open, but with a different name.
Dubbed “Side Hustle Lounge,” the new space offers a menu of cocktails and small plates with Italian and Latin influences, curated by executive chef Angela Georges. Food items include flatbreads, sautéed shrimp, beef empanadas, and charcuterie boards.
“Our menu reflects a fusion of bold spices, fresh ingredients, and a nod to rich culinary traditions,” Georges said in a press release. “Each dish and cocktail is designed to take our guests on a memorable and flavorful journey, where we aim to create a lasting impression.”
The venue, designed by Northville-based architect Carmine Martone and constructed by St. Clair Shores-based Columbia Construction, offers a mid-century modern vibe with art by Detroit muralist Ghostbeard. The 4,000-square-foot space seats up to 60 guests with an 11-seat bar, a 25-seat lounge, and a 24-seat outdoor patio.
“Side Hustle Lounge fills an exciting niche in today’s vibrant Detroit dining scene, enhancing the offerings of our neighboring establishments while building upon the experience we’ve cultivated at Mootz,” Lisa Walters, operating partner of Side Hustle Lounge and Mootz Pizzeria + Bar, said. “Our new venue promises to infuse a fresh energy into Detroit’s culinary landscape, conveniently located within walking distance of some of the city’s most iconic venues and destinations.”
Side Hustle Lounge is now accepting reservations for private events. Hours of operation are from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. every day.
It would be nothing new to Eagles fans if the Birds traded up in the first round.
Lets take a look at a few candidates that they could trade up for.
Jared Verse
The edge rusher out of Florida State would bolster a position in need. The Eagles traded Haason Reddick, and they could use someone else in that room. Verse is coming off a season with 11 sacks, 15 QB hits, and 36 QB hurries. His production in college makes him a probable top-15 pick in this upcoming draft.
The Eagles need a young talent at the corner, and Quinyon Mitchell could be a guy they trade up for. Mitchell is coming off a year with 41 tackles, one interception, and 18 passes defended. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. His total combined score was first among all corners. He is someone that can step in and start right away.
If the Eagles don’t feel comfortable with James Bradberry playing the opposite of Slay anymore, Mitchell would be a good option to go with. If the Eagles wanted to trade up for Quinyon Mitchell, they would most likely have to move up into the 10-15 range.
There are plenty of ways this draft can go for the Eagles.
We all know Howie loves to make moves on draft day, and the Eagles could move up for one of these players next Thursday night.
Julius Welschof is chasing his American football dream.
The German-born defensive lineman, who played just one injury shortened season for the Charlotte 49ers, is hoping to end up on an NFL practice field this summer. But unlike most of the prospects eligible for next week’s NFL Draft, Welschof aspires to prove to his family in Germany that all of his and their sacrifices over the past six years — from leaving home on short notice to battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the States by himself to playing for two different universities — were worthwhile after he picked up the sport late in his teens.
“When it eventually pays off, I think for them, they’ll just be really proud of that,” Welschof said. “For me, you just have this goal for so long, and to finally achieve it, it’s just a dream come true, and it would make it all worth it.”
University of Charlotte defensive end Julius Welschof takes part in the program’s 2024 pro day. Courtesy of the University of Charlotte 49ers football team
Welschof didn’t really know what football was a little over a decade ago. But now, Welschof, after years of sacrificing for the sport, is yearning to play at the highest level as the NFL experiences a boon among German fans, with games now set to play in the country annually.
In a way, Welschof, who turned 27 in March, could be the league’s gateway to catching the interest of even more German fans. And with the NFL now allowing all 32 teams the option of adding an international player — with the contributor not counting against the training camp and/or practice-squad roster numbers — Welschof’s pro football dream is more attainable than before.
Finding football
Welschof grew up in the world of competitive skiing. The big man from Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany honed his craft as a teenager, far away from the football fields in the States.
But when he visited his grandfather’s friend in Jacksonville, Fla., shortly after completing high school in Germany, Welschof found his new passion. The family friend saw Welschof’s big frame — he’s now 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds — and suggested that Welschof could potentially play college football because of his size and athletic ability.
“I was 15 or 16 at the time, so I thought I was late to the game — but it seemed interesting just watching it,” Welschof said.
When Welschof returned to Germany, he joined a local American football club — the Munich Cowboys — to improve his technique and adjust to the new game. At first, the novice had a sharp learning curve.
“People who don’t know football can relate,” Welschof said. “It just looks like a bunch of big guys running into each other. But then I went home and joined a local club team and I started to realize I’m doing pretty good for someone who has never played football. So, I really enjoyed the game of football.”
As Welschof’s interest in the sport grew, so did his desire to play at the college level in the US.
Welschof found former CFL player, Brandon Collier, on social media and reached out to see if he could join the German-based trainer’s experimental new program, Premier Players International, in 2016.
Collier, who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and played college football for the University of Massachusetts, moved to Europe in 2014 with the idea of expanding the college football recruiting landscape to include Europe. In 2017, Welschof was among the first prospects to join his college recruiting tours of the U.S.
“It was kind of the beginning of the international scouting era, I’d say,” Welschof said. “We were like a group of 10, and now Brandon is coming with, I think, 100 kids every year.”
Welschof used the money he made as a mechanical engineer’s apprentice to fund his way through the tour. He also took on extra work in home renovation to make additional money for the trip.
The tour with Collier turned out to be a successful one for Welschof as he was invited to join the Michigan Wolverines in 2018. Welschof produced 23 tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in 34 career games during his five years in Ann Arbor.
University of Charlotte defensive lineman Julius Welschof lines up in game against Georgia State during the 2023 season. Sam Roberts/Freeze Frame Courtesy of the University of Charlotte 49ers football team (Sam Roberts/Freeze Frame)
Off to Charlotte
After battling through inconsistent playing time during his career at Michigan, Welschof was looking for an opportunity to showcase his skills with a bigger role.
When former Michigan assistant coach Biff Poggi was hired as the 49ers’ head coach in November 2022, Welschof saw his chance for a bump in playing time. Ryan Osborn, who left his assistant coaching post with the Baltimore Ravens for Charlotte’s defensive coordinator job, provided added incentive for Welschof, as the duo worked together in 2021.
“I’ve just seen Coach (Osborn), his knowledge of football and how well he can just teach and share information, so I knew he was a guy who could help me a lot as a football player and a leader,” Welschof said. “And Coach Biff is someone who really cares about you as a person and a player. And it just felt right for me to follow him here and be around him. Like you can really tell how much he cares about you, and I didn’t want to go to a place where I’m wanted because it’s like, ‘We just want you here just in case.’ So, it felt like they wanted me but also needed me (in Charlotte) and cared about me.”
Welschof said he regained his confidence with the 49ers. But his feature role was short-lived as he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in September against the Florida Gators.
It was a setback for Welschof, but his dream stayed afloat as he fully recovered from the shoulder injury in time to take part in the program’s pro day in March. He posted a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump and showed off his athleticism in position drills in front of NFL scouts.
On the road to pros
Philadelphia-based NFL agent Marty Magid was quick to recruit Welschof as a client this offseason. The long, lanky defender appealed to Magid because of his story, experience at two different programs and international ties.
“I felt that Julius had a lot of experience in that he played college football at Michigan and Charlotte, and his size, speed and position fits well with teams,” Magid said. He’s an individual where he can absolutely make a team, and if he doesn’t, this gives him a good opportunity for the international program where he can be exempt as the 91st person, and the 17th on the practice squad.”
Collier, who has watched Welschof’s career blossom from afar, is optimistic about his former pupil’s chances in the NFL. Collier had one player from his program, defensive back Marcel Dabo, on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad last year. And Welschof’s NFL prospects could further establish the program because of the lineman’s European following.
“I always knew that he had the NFL frame, speed and athletic ability,” Collier said. “And just him getting the opportunity to play in the NFL will be a game-changer for our program because a lot of people in Europe, especially Germany, look up to him as being one of the first guys to come through PPI, and his success will catapult a lot of other kids in the future.”
Welschof, who now has ties to Charlotte, might not need to go very far to latch on with an NFL team.
While he is draft eligible and needs to go through the selection process next weekend, if Welschof slips through the cracks, he could appeal to the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free-agent option. With Carolina set to host a game in Munich this season, there could be an added incentive to bring in a German-born prospect.
“That’d be really cool, especially if I would go to a team that will play in the country that I’m from,” Welschof said.
Coincidentally, Welschof also feels like his best position fit is 3-4 defensive end, which would tie in nicely to the Panthers’ defensive scheme.
“I’d play, really, any position,” Welschof said. “Stand-up outside linebacker or (defensive) end with a hand on the ground. Really it’s whatever they want me to — it just depends on how much I need to eat and I’ll do it.”
“I think a kid like Julius — whether it’s special teams or rotating on the defensive line — I think his potential is still high,” Collier said. “And I think he can be one of those types of kids that will be playing in the NFL for some time.”
Welschof is just trying to get his foot in the door at this point, though. After years of working to prove himself, the international exemption could be his saving grace for development in the NFL.
While success stories like Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata and former Panthers defensive end Efe Obada have guided the way for the NFL’s international program, Welschof could be the next success story for the roster exemption.
Welschof’s ultimate goal is to make a 53-man roster, but having the opportunity to qualify for an international bid on a training camp roster and/or the practice squad gives teams an added incentive to look his way this spring.
“It’s an excellent perk, I’d say, for me to have that kind of status, just being German,” Welschof said. “Having that extra opportunity.”
Mike Kaye covers the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida.
The draft is approaching, and Philadelphia has a few different ways to approach this year’s draft.
There are obvious needs on the roster, and the Eagles have a philosophy that they usually stick to.
Predicting the draft class is almost impossible, but we can use previous years’ roster needs to try to narrow down what they might do.
Round 1
In the first round, I think the Eagles will disappoint everyone and pick an offensive lineman. The Birds value the position too much and will want to be ready for when Lane Johnson retires. The Eagles have drafted two players who were supposed to step in for Kelce when he retires, and they ended up playing on other spots on the line. Now that Kelce is gone, they will want to do the same with Lane Johnson.
This is a pretty good offensive tackle class, and the Eagles are known for their trench-building philosophy through the draft. It isn’t the cool, flashy pick that everyone wants, but I think the offensive line is the way they go.
Rounds 2 & 3
In rounds two and three, I think the Eagles will go with a mix of defensive back and linebacker. These are two huge positions of need, and the Eagles can’t risk having as bad of play from these positions as they did last year. The defensive back pick could be a mix of either safety or corner. We don’t know if CJGJ will play safety or the slot, so based on where the Eagles put him, they will probably pick the opposite position in the draft.
Defensive back is what everyone would love to see in the first round, but I don’t believe they will focus on that position until day 2. The need for a linebacker is obvious. The Eagles can’t run it back with the same guys they had last year. It is still to be seen how well NaKobe Dean can play, but for now, we still need an upgrade.
The draft is one of the most exciting parts of the NFL off-season, and there are less than two weeks to go.
The oversized cleats will be displayed near Detroit arenas, hotels, and airports for the month of April.
People headed to downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft this April will notice oversized cleats painted with flowers, football players, and vibrant nature scenes dotting the downtown area.
These are part of the City Walls “DCleated” art initiative in anticipation of the NFL Draft. Twenty artists were selected to paint the huge cleats fabricated by Prop Art Studios and each artist chose a nonprofit organization to represent.
The cleats will be displayed at places like Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit Metro Airport, City Airport, and hotels in the downtown area for the month of April.
In May, they will be auctioned off at an event at the Godfrey Hotel with proceeds benefiting the artist’s chosen organization or charity.
Detroit artist Trae Isaac, who has done several City Walls murals, painted his cleat to mimic stained glass with cartoon kids playing football and children’s handprints at the bottom. He chose The Children’s Center as his nonprofit.
“When I was 16 and I was 18, my baby brother and my mother passed away from cancer,” he tells Metro Times. “They had the exact same type of cancer, Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7. It’s a neurological type of cancer, and it’s generational as well. Since the age of 18, I’ve been tested for it and still they do testing for it. Prior to that, I used to box for almost a decade. So when they passed it was a huge sit down moment in my life that kind of transformed me.”
He says he wants his cleat to represent transforming “trauma into triumph.”
“For me to lose my mom and brother to go to doing what it is that I’m doing today, I’m very grateful,” he says. “I realized, I’m here to serve other people.”
Trae Isaac painted his cleat in support of The Children’s Center.
The artists, nonprofits, and city officials gathered on Thursday afternoon to unveil the cleats to the media before they headed off to their respective locations.
The Children’s Center CEO Nicole Wells Stallworth thanked Isaac for his installation and for sharing his story at the press conference.
“Trae’s powerful art installation, as he pointed out, reflects his own journey overcoming trauma. It is my hope that this piece will serve as a catalyst for erasing stigma about speaking up and addressing the necessary mental health treatment that anyone may need,” she said. “The Children’s Center is truly grateful to be part of an important cause, to celebrate not only the diversity of the artists that we have in our city of Detroit but also the diversity of the children and youth in our communities.”
The smile man himself, Phil Simpson, was also one of the participating artists. He painted his signature smile man in an outdoor scene with a bright blue sky and sports gear like a football and basketball. Proceeds from the sale of his cleat will go to Project Play, an organization that promotes an active lifestyle through sports programming for children.
“As a father of a thriving, energetic young lady who plays soccer, who does gymnastics [and] is interested in flag football, it’s an honor to paint this cleat here for Project Play,” Simpson said at the press conference. “In our household, we advocate for education, sports, and reading.”
Tony Whlgn (pronounced hooligan) decorated a bright orange cleat with food items and the phrase “everybody eats” in his pop art style for Gleaners Community Food Bank. It will be placed outside Wayne County Airport.
The NFL Draft is taking place mostly around Campus Martius and Hart Plaza from April 25-27. The “NFL Draft Experience” is free to attend with registration and includes a slew of concerts, games, an interactive exhibit, chances to get autographs from current and past NFL players, and more.
DCleated is a partnership between the City Walls program, Visit Detroit, DMC, and SpaceLab Detroit.
