The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Eagles, who are in dire need of help at linebacker, will be keeping a very close eye on Audie Cole of North Carolina State at this weekend’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Cole, a 2011 All-ACC Honorable Mention, had 108 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles last year.

The Ball Says: Cole’s a solid tackler that has shown a nose for the football during his collegiate career, and while he lacks blazing speed and could stand to bulk up a bit his 6’5″ frame would certainly seem capable of supporting some extra weight and Matt Miller, lead NFL Draft Writer at Bleacher Report and founder of New Era Scouting, liked what he saw of Cole in the first day of Senior Bowl practices, and his opinion carries a great deal of weight in these parts.

Cole’s IDP prospects, especially in the short term, are a lot like opening a sports bar…it’s all about location. Should a team like the Eagles, who have a glaring need at MLB, take Cole in the third or fourth round he could vie to be the first rookie IDP selected in redraft fantasy leagues and be one of the first handful taken in dynasties, with the potential for a top 25 finish at his position in 2012.

However, a less desirable landing spot behind an established starter or in an unfavorable scheme would drop Cole several slots in dynasty IDP leagues and make him at best a late flier in deeper redrafts, although as Colin McCarthy of the Tennessee Titans or Pat Angerer of the Indianapolis Colts have shown sometimes all it takes is a sliver of opportunity for an IDP stalwart to break out.