Philadelphia Eagles: 7-Round 2018 mock draft in mid-April

If you’re looking for a diamond in the rough at linebacker, look no further than San Jose State’s Frank Ginda.

The former Spartan is a tackling machine, having racked up a whopping 352 tackles during his three years on campus. That’s not the only reason he’s on the NFL’s radar, though. As we saw during his Pro Day, he’s an above-average athlete who uses impeccable instincts and awareness to dominate as a run defender.

There are some concerns about his coverage skills, and rightful so. At least early in his NFL career, he’ll likely watch passing downs from the sidelines — if he even earns a role. Even at his worst, though, Ginda is a potential special teams ace and serviceable backup.

The Eagles don’t have a pressing need at linebacker heading into 2018. However, as injuries inevitably pile up during the season, it’ll be imperative to have quality depth. Especially with Mychal Kendricks constantly on the trade block and Jordan Hicks coming off a torn Achilles, Philadelphia can’t have too many fallback options.

Ginda is the type of player who can see early-down snaps as a rookie if needed, and has the potential to take over as a starter in time. A fifth-round pick is a small price to pay for that type of upside.