INDIANAPOLIS − Sure, it would be enticing for the Eagles to draft a linebacker whose father described him as "an old-style mindset linebacker in a new-age body."

Especially when that father is Jeremiah Trotter, who was a vital and beloved Eagles linebacker during his nine seasons in Philadelphia (1998-2001, 2004-06 and 2009). And especially when the son has the same name, plays the same position, wears the same No. 54, and could be drafted in the same round.

Heck, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., even does his father's "ax-man" motion when he makes a big play. Trotter said his father "shed a tear" when he did it for the first time at Clemson.

The elder Trotter was drafted in the third round in 1998, made the Pro Bowl four times, and played in two NFC championship games.

The younger Trotter said he has already met with the Eagles brass at the NFL combine.

Trotter, however, might not be the only "new age" linebacker who could entice the Eagles. Another might be someone who played quarterback at Dover High School before moving to linebacker at Temple.

At Temple, Jordan Magee played his home games at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturdays, the same place the Eagles play their home games on Sundays. And while the Eagles could sign a veteran free agent to start next to Nakobe Dean, who had an injury-plagued 2023 season, it's clear that the Eagles need depth at the position, which they can address in the draft.

The Eagles not only got inconsistent play from low-cost, veteran free agents like Nicholas Morrow, they were also decimated by injuries to Dean and veteran Zach Cunningham. That left them desperate to sign former Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Leonard in December, a few weeks after he was released by the Colts following two back surgeries in 2022.

Magee is projected by many draft analysts as someone who could go in Rounds 4-6, depending on how he tests at the NFL combine this week.

Magee said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine that he brings many of the same traits as the "new-age" linebackers who are expected to be more than run-stoppers like they were a generation ago.

"I think (my game) translates very well," Magee said about the NFL. "I worked on my pass drops this past season. The NFL is becoming more of a passing league, so I’ve been working on that very heavily. I feel like I’ve improved in that.

"And being a run defender, which I feel like I am, a sideline-to-sideline guy, I’m very fast."

Magee, who's 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, said he hopes to run in the 4.4 range at the NFL combine. If he can do that, he'll certainly move up.

GRADING THE EAGLES: Eagles rank 4th in NFL players survey. Why Sirianni got an A despite late-season collapse

GOING FOR SAQUON? How Eagles can wind up with Saquon Barkley and revamp the defense in a crucial offseason

But Magee said he has another trait that can help him, and that stems from his days playing quarterback at Dover. Magee also played defense at Dover, going from defensive line to safety to linebacker.

Once he started playing linebacker exclusively at Temple, Magee realized how much playing quarterback has helped him as a defender.

"I’d say just understanding weaknesses in coverages, being able to bait the quarterback into a throw that he’s not supposed to make," Magee said. "Understanding Cover-3s, inside seam weakness, Cover-2, outside seam weaknesses, Cover-4, the flats, middle of the field. So understanding things like that, and weak points in the system helps you make better decisions."

The lessons from Jeremiah Trotter's father

While Magee got those linebacker instincts by playing quarterback, the younger Trotter got them from his father.

As a two-year starter at Clemson, Trotter showed his "new age" linebacker credentials with 192 tackles, 13 sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

"My dad, being in the league, and being around the game basically my whole life, it just taught me a lot about playing the linebacker position," Trotter said. "It’s definitely helped me get to this position here, and I give a lot of credit to him.

"He’s admitted that I’m more athletic than him, but we have different playing styles, different body types."

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he has Trotter going in the third round, adding that his game "is more about instincts."

Jeremiah also said that he doesn't rate this as a good draft for off-ball linebackers.

And it's not like the Eagles draft them early anyway. They haven't drafted one in the first round since 1979, and they haven't drafted one in the second round since Mychal Kendricks in 2012.

How Jordan Magee fits with another Temple product on Eagles

But they have drafted them in the third round, both in 2020 with Davion Taylor, who's not on an NFL team, and with Dean in 2022. Interestingly, the Eagles drafted two linebackers in 2020, taking Shaun Bradley in the sixth round.

Bradley, of course, is a Temple product like Magee, and both players excel on special teams. Bradley missed last season with a torn Achilles.

Magee said he would love the opportunity to follow Bradley to the Eagles, both as a linebacker and key special teams player.

"I was just talking to him like a week ago," Magee said about Bradley. "He was just telling me, 'Be yourself. You’re here for a reason.'"

No doubt, Trotter Sr. has given his son the same advice.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why Eagles could draft Jeremiah Trotter's son and Delaware native at LB