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Edge rusher Shareef Miller is Eagles' only defensive pick

Published  April 28, 2019 10:44am EDT
News
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles selected their only defensive player of the NFL draft on the final day, choosing Penn State edge rusher Shareef Miller in the fourth round on Saturday.

They took Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson in the fifth round and traded a seventh-round pick to Indianapolis for defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Miller, who grew up in Philadelphia, had 7½ sacks last season and 14½ in three years in college. He also had 31½ tackles for loss. Miller, selected No. 138 overall, adds depth and gives defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz another player to fit into his rotation.

MORE: Eagles select Penn State running back Miles Sanders 53rd overall | Eagles move up to get future left tackle Andre Dillard | Eagles have luxury of drafting talent over need

Thorson will get a chance to develop behind Carson Wentz and backup Nate Sudfeld. He was a four-year starter at Northwestern and threw for 10,731 yards with a 58.4 percent completion rate, 61 touchdowns and 45 interceptions. The Eagles traded pick No. 163 to the Patriots for Nos. 167 and 246. They sent the 246th pick to the Colts.

Ridgeway started six games in three seasons in Indianapolis. He only played in five games last year because of injuries.

Earlier in the draft, the Eagles focused on offense. They moved up three spots to select Washington State left tackle Andre Dillard with the 22nd pick in the first round, sending Baltimore the 25th pick, a fourth-rounder (No. 127) and a sixth (No. 197) to move up. Dillard isn't expected to contribute right away, barring injuries. He'll learn behind nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, who is 37 years old.

Penn State running back Miles Sanders was drafted in the second round at No. 53 and Stanford wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside at No. 57.

Sanders had 1,274 yards rushing, an average of 5.8 yards per carry and nine touchdowns as a junior last year after replacing Saquon Barkley. Arcega-Whiteside had 63 catches for 1,059 yards and 14 TDs as a senior.