After already picking the Philadelphia Eagles’ best Round 1 and Round 2 draft targets, it’s time to move on to Round 3.

If the Eagles do not address their off-ball linebacker need in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL draft, then they must do that with their lone third-round pick.

The Eagles pick at No. 97 overall in the third round of this year’s draft.

Below we’ll take a look at the best prospect that they should target in Round 3.

The Eagles should select Carolina LB Cedric Gray with the No. 97th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Eagles thought they found their off-ball linebacker answer in Nakobe Dean in the 2022 NFL draft, but that has not been the case.

Riddled with injuries or not, Dean has been nothing but a liability and the Eagles lack depth at the position.

So, it’s time to address that by selecting Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray at No. 97th overall.

In four seasons with the Tar Heels, Gray played in 51 games with 39 starts and achieved 369 total tackles (199 solo), 8.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries.

How Gray Performed at the NFL Combine
The 6-foot-2.5 and 235-pound Carolina product boosted his draft stock at the Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier this month from a Day 3 to a Day 2 pick.

Cedric Gray has boosted his stock at the Senior Bowl. Nice PBU here pic.twitter.com/r63P7DVlxJ

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 3, 2024

Gray continued to look sharp at the NFL Combine last week as well, though he did not outshine the Day 1 prospects.

He had the 11th fastest 40 time among all linebackers with a 4.64 and tied for fifth in the position group with a 35.5-inch vertical jump.

Gray was just one of six linebackers to hit 10 feet in the broad jump and had 17 reps on 225 bench press bench, which put him near the bottom of the linebackers group.

Final Word
There are not many very talented off-ball linebackers in this year’s class and there’s a chance Gray isn’t still available in Round 3, but his mediocre combine results say otherwise.

If he’s still on the board when the Eagles pick at No. 97 and they have not already taken care of their need at linebacker, then he’d be worth selecting.

He’ll have a chance to continue to boost his draft stock at UNC’s Pro Day later this month.