Mocking the Mocks

Posted: March 23rd, 2025 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

With the draft just a month or so away, we are in the heart of mock draft season. Let’s take a look at some mock drafts and who they have the Eagles taking.

Spoiler alert…none of the mocks had the Eagles taking a QB.

CBS Sports

DE Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College

"We all know how the Eagles roll at this point. No, he didn’t go to Georgia, but he did go get the quarterback pretty damned often at Boston College.”

While Ezeiruaku lacks ideal size at 6-2, 251, he is a gifted pass rusher. He would fit in nicely on the edge, where the Eagles have some young homegrown players and a pair of free agents. Ezeiruaku reminds me of Haason Reddick, who was very productive for the Eagles. Ezeiruaku had 16.5 sacks and was the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is an impact pass rusher. He’s an effective run defender, which is all you need from someone with his pass rush ability.

I would be fine with adding Ezeiruaku at pick 32. The biggest downside would be having to type his name for the next 5 to 10 years.

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ESPN

NFL.com

DT Walten Nolen – Ole Miss

Both sites had the Eagles taking Nolen. Here is what ESPN said.

"Nolen is very disruptive thanks to explosive traits and strong hands. He had 6.5 sacks and 15 run stops last season. And while he didn’t go to Georgia, Nolen at least keeps the Eagles’ direct line to SEC defensive tackles alive.”

And here is NFL.com.

"Why change something that works? Philadelphia moves up in Round 1 for a defensive lineman once again — after doing so to acquire Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis — plugging Nolen into the void left by free-agent departure Milton Williams. The Eagles give the Rams their late third-round pick and one of four fifth-rounders in order to move up six spots, while also receiving a sixth-round pick from Los Angeles in the deal.”

Nolen is an interesting prospect. Some people love him and think he could be a Top 20 pick. Others aren’t sold on him and see him in the late first or early second round. I think he’s definitely worthy of a first round pick. I know Fran Duffy is a big fan of his. We talked about Nolen down in Mobile and Fran spoke highly of him.

Nolen is 6-4, 296. He is athletic and powerful. Pairing Nolen with Jalen Carter would make life really tough for opposing offenses. Nolen was good in college, but is just scratching the surface of his ability. He could develop into a difference-maker.

Imagine replacing Milton Williams with a player who is bigger, stronger and still a high level athlete. I’m pretty sure Vic Fangio would be happy with that move.

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The Athletic

SAF Malaki Starks – Georgia

"The Eagles are likely to have three third-round picks in 2026 and had four 2025 fifth-rounders to sweeten any deal. Not bad for an eight-spot leap. Starks is a sensible choice after trading away C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. The Eagles add a proven playmaker in Starks to a room in which Reed Blankenship is the only established starter. "

I was watching tape of Starks last night. He is an impressive prospect who can line up in the slot or back deep as a safety. I wondered if the Eagles would consider him at 32. They don’t spend first round picks on safeties. That isn’t written in stone, but decades of action tell you it isn’t likely. In this mock, the Eagles traded up to take Starks. I feel confident in saying that is not likely to happen.

Starks is a good prospect. He would fit in nicely since the Eagles need to find a starter opposite of Blankenship. Starks could win that job. He would also give them insurance in the slot. Starks played there a lot at UGA and has good cover skills.

Starks wasn’t a major playmaker at UGA, but the potential is there. He would be a good fit on the Eagles defense, and not just because he’s a Dawg. Really talented player.

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It does feel like a good bet that the Eagles will take an OL or DL in the first round. That’s what they tend to do and there are needs on both sides of the ball.

Adding a DB would make some sense. The Eagles lost a starting CB and safety in the past few weeks. They have potential replacements already in place, but could prefer to add top talents at one of the positions.

Two of these mock drafts had the Eagles trading up. I can see Howie doing that if the right player is available and the price is right. He believes in going to get his guy. Pick 32 is an interesting pick to have. There is value in having that because teams sometimes want to move into the first round to get a player they are targeting. The Eagles might be able to add a pick for only moving back a few spots.

The Eagles don’t need extra picks, but it never hurts. Picks are resources that give you options. Maybe you move back in the first round and then move up in the second. It is good to have options on draft weekend and no one knows that better than Howie.

http://igglesblitz.com/2025/03/mocking-the-mocks/

I want to see them draft Walter Nolan and put him next to Jalen Carter...........and if Starks falls into the late 30's the eagles make a hard move up to take him like they did last year with Cooper Dejean.

Anyone else a little concerned if we add another "smaller” DE? Feels like we need a guy with a bit of size and someone who can set the edge.