Pick 83. Phidarian Mathis, Defensive Tackle Alabama
Alabama’s Phidarian Mathis could prove to be the successor to longtime Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. With Cox recently signing a one-year deal, the 31-year-old defender could be entering his final season in Philadelphia. The addition of Mathis could help the Eagles prepare for the future.
While at Alabama, Mathis was one of the more productive defensive tackles in all of football. He was often moved throughout the defensive line but always found a way to be productive. While he played in 55 games for Alabama, his breakout came over his final two years.
Coincidentally, these were also the two years where Mathis stepped into a role that allowed for him to be a full-time starter. He finished his career with a total of 165 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks.
Mathis is a highly productive player who has the size to play defensive tackle at the next level. He came in 6-4 and 310 pounds during his pro day.
In order to be effective in the NFL, Mathis will have to work on his pass-rushing skills. That is arguably the weakest piece of his game and yet he has still proven to be a threat in that area. Given that he can learn from a player like Fletcher Cox, Mathis should be just fine in the NFL.