The Eagles recently held a private workout for Iowa draft prospect Jordan Bernstine,
according to a report from Aaron Wilson of Scout.com. A strong safety and experienced kick returner, the soon-to-be rookie is among a handful of prospects who have been tied to Philadelphia. The team has reportedly met with a number of potential draft picks in recent weeks, most recently including Memphis defensive tackle and Scouting Combine standout Dontari Poe, and with the annual selection process less than a month away, Bernstine was invited to the NovaCare Complex for a look-see by the staff.
According to Wilson, Bernstine has also conducted workouts for the Patriots and 49ers, while the Raiders have scheduled a meeting of their own with the defensive back. “Bernstine ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 and 4.38 seconds at his campus Pro Day workout. With 29 NFL teams watching, Bernstine also registered a 41-inch vertical leap, a 10-7 broad jump, a 6.75 in the L-drill, an 11-3 in the long shuttle and bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times,†said Wilson. “The athletic defensive back recorded 99 tackles last season with three tackles for losses and one sack, one forced fumbe and one fumble recovery. The former Parade Magazine All-American also averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return.â€
Widely regarded as a late-round pick, Bernstine could have potential as a developmental safety and return specialist, two areas the Eagles might look to upgrade through the draft in April. At the former, Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman are expected to have the opportunity to win starting jobs along with second-year man Jaiquawn Jarrett, but there has been speculation Philadelphia could want to add experience or depth to the back end of the secondary. At the kick returner position, meanwhile, running back Dion Lewis struggled to make much of an impact as a rookie in 2011, and despite the presence of potential return men in Mardy Gilyard and Chad Hall, Bernstine could have value as offseason competition for the role.
