EF0075 Mock Draft 1.0 (4/6/24)

[eaglesfan0075]

I know Howie loves to wheel and deal on draft day, but for this mock draft iteration I am making the picks at the team's current projected selections.

 

1st Round (22) - Troy Fautanu OT/G Washington - There is a hole in the starting lineup on the IOL after Jason Kelce's retirement and Cam Jurgens sliding over to C to replace him. Last year's 3rd round pick Tyler Steen now has a year of experience under his belt and can now assume a role as a key reserve OL with both Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta gone in free agency. Fautanu could go ahead and make a case to be the starting RG as a rookie, with the potential to be the RT of the future after Lane Johnson retires. 

2nd Round (50) - Edgerrin Cooper LB Texas A&M - With how poor the LB play had been this past season and with new DC Vic Fangio on board providing input into what he needs to run his defense, Howie drafts a LB in the 2nd round for the first time since Mychal Kendricks in 2012. Cooper could easily go in the first round based on his talent alone, but in a draft class that isn't particularly strong at the position, he finds his way here with the first of the Eagles two 2nd round picks. The team did bring him in for a Top 30 visit and he would be a good fit in Vangio's scheme.

2nd round (53) - T'Vondre Sweat DT Texas - Much like the Cooper pick above, this selection is influenced by the presumed switch to a 3-4 defense under Vic Fangio. T'Vondre also happens to be the younger brother of Josh Sweat. At 6'4 and 360 lbs, T'Vondre can slide right into the NT position in the new alignment along with incumbent Jordan Davis, creating a strong rotation at NT, with both Jalen Carter and Milton Williams on the outside as 3-4 DE. 

4th round (120) - Brandon Coleman OT/G TCU - The Eagles double-dip with OL picks to secure depth with another player that was brought in for a Top 30 visit. The team has had success with mid-round TCU OL in the past (Halapoulivaati Vaitai in the 5th round in the 2016 draft) and Coleman has the positional versatility to play both tackle and guard.

5th round (161) - Ainias Smith WR Texas A&M - Smith is an undersized slot WR prospect with upside as a return specialist; while the team brought in Devante Parker and Parris Campbell both in free agency, they are both on 1 year prove-it deals and neither are locks to make the final roster. Campbell has some upside as a returner as well, but has an extensive injury history.

5th round (171) - Sione Vaki S Utah - While the team has brought back CJ Gardner-Johnson as a starter and extended Reed Blankenship to another year, additional depth at safety is a must, especially with Sydney Brown still recovering from his ACL tear. The Eagles met with Vaki at the Combine as well as his Pro Day.

5th round (172) - Jordan Magee LB Temple - Ironically, the last time a Temple LB was selected in the NFL Draft was in 2020 when the Eagles drafted Shaun Bradley in the 6th round. Magee is undersized but is very athletic with a 9.29 RAS score and is decent in coverage.

6th round (210) - Carson Steele RB UCLA - While Saquon Barkley projects to be the workhorse back in this offense, his injury history underscores the need for depth at RB. At 6'0 and 228 lbs, Steele's physical profile makes him better suited to be the primary backup to Saquon compared to Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles met with Steele at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

[Ray75]

Love the first two picks but it would be a huge mistake if we come out of this draft without addressing arguably our most dire need. 

Yes, I’m talking about corner…

 

[eaglesfan0075]

36 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Love the first two picks but it would be a huge mistake if we come out of this draft without addressing arguably our most dire need. 

Yes, I’m talking about corner…

 

I appreciate the feedback!

As a fan I'd love a CB with one of those first 3 picks myself, but have a weird feeling that Howie is going to bank on the continued development of Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, etc... and go another year without drafting one early.

Then again, I did project a 2nd round LB which Howie hasn't done since 2012, whereas him drafting Sidney Jones in the 2nd round was done more recently in 2017. 

Perhaps this is the year?

[Ray75]

7 hours ago, eaglesfan0075 said:

I appreciate the feedback!

As a fan I'd love a CB with one of those first 3 picks myself, but have a weird feeling that Howie is going to bank on the continued development of Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, etc... and go another year without drafting one early.

Then again, I did project a 2nd round LB which Howie hasn't done since 2012, whereas him drafting Sidney Jones in the 2nd round was done more recently in 2017. 

Perhaps this is the year?

I can definitely see you being right. Personally I’ve been waiting for Howie to take a corner high for more than a decade now. And I’m not talking about taking a flier on an injured Sidney Jones here.

This could go two ways;

- either they take a corner high;

- this will be another year they don’t.

If I’d have to put money on it, I’d say it’ll be either an offensive lineman or a pass rusher in the first. Fautanu, Mims, Guyton, Latu and Robinson are the ones I’m keeping an eye on.

But…if Fangio has a say in it and he wants a building block DB, I can see them taking one in the first. At #22 either Wiggins, McKinstry or DeJean and I can even see them trading up for either Mitchell or Arnold. Yes, I know! DeJean is somewhat of a hybrid player but I believe Fangio could definitely use a versatile chess piece like that.

I’ve heard a rumor that a couple of teams, including the Eagles, are already negotiating with the Seattle Seahawks for pick #16. The cost?! Probably a swap of a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th and change. So doable IMO.

But for who would they trade up?!

If I had to guess Fautanu, Latu or one of the corners…

[eaglesfan0075]

Good points all around, I agree with you here that the draft history indicates that 1st round pick will go to OL/DL. 

However as you said, the Vangio hire could be the X-factor that changes things. I know the 2nd is the highest Howie has drafted a CB but this doesn't seem to be the best year IMO to wait until the 2nd to draft one.

Based on different mock draft simulators I've tried there usually is a run on CBs that leaves the Eagles without great value at that position with pick 50 more often than not.

22 is a great spot for CB this year. In a strong OL class I can see a run on OT before CBs this year in the early first (including Fautanu who could be gone in mid-first). I'd argue against trading up personally and go BPA at 22, or even a small trade down?

[CouchKing]

Using the NFL PRO Simulator,  not seeing Fautanu dropping to 22. Maybe we trade up?

LB and DT in the second are fine with me, depending on who drops to us.

Didn't know T'Vondre and Josh were brothers. Good stuff.

 

[Rob331]

EF - I agree with your cconventional wisdom regarding an offensive tackle. I just hope they don''t and I hope you're assessment writing Steen off as a starter is wrong.  My personal hope is a trade DOWN to get an additional day 2 pick. 

Love the Cooper pick. That is exactly what I'd do.

I'm with Ray when it comes to needing a corner, but I don't think we're going to get disappointed. Max Melton in the 2nd!!  

The Coleman pick is solid - good job

Agree with the best availablr slot WR in the 5. Maybe McCaffery will be there. I've seen Smith going anywhere from the 3rd (Walters) to the 5th (Drafttek), to the 7th (PFN).

We need safties and running backs so no argument at all on the last two picks. i like Steels but my favotite day 3 RB is Dylan Laube and either Carlies or Vake make sense at S. 

We're pretty much in sync except the DT early. 

Thanks for the read.