October Mock 10/17

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What a rollercoaster ride! This Eagles team is extremely frustrating and trying to figure them out is nearly a waste of time. They are a team without a philosophy or identity, a meddling FO and owner. This is team is lacking talent, discipline, and accountability. This team is trending in the wrong direction overall, I try to keep my patience knowing it's an evaluation year, but this reeks of ineptness. I say this in almost every mock and this one is especially true, there should be massive turnover and the team needs to get younger with playmakers especially on defense.

Howie is going to finally get replaced, IMO the wheels are about to come off. This team is a reflection of Howie and his record is his indictment. His drafts and talent evaluation has been abysmal along with his cap management. His "feel" for the team is a joke, nobody seems to respect him outside of Lurie. The time has come for someone who knows football.

New GM:

Mike Borgonzi - Mike is a true football guy who has worked up through the scouting ranks and has learned from some of the best GM's who had different but successful ways of building a team. He understands cap management and won't hand out stupid contracts and believes in building through the draft and to use free agency as way to fill the gaps not as cornerstone. Mike is a hands on guy when working with his scouting department and will be in the thick of it with them and will identify talent when he see it. He will need to be the wall and the bridge between coaching and Lurie, no micromanaging.  

The coaching this year hasn't been something that inspires a ton of hope, I'm not seeing players progress outside of Watkins, the constant penalties are annoying and the play-calling is high school level. Nick is going to get this year and next to see if he has what it takes so for now this is what we got. Gannon IMO just lacks talent even though he's had some major coaching issues himself.

Offense:

It's painful watching this unit trying to figure things out, and seeing five touchdowns be called back due to penalty is unacceptable. I'm still waiting to see playmakers being schemed open and getting the ball. The running game is almost are rare as spotting big foot and the RPO game is getting old quick. Availability among the 0-line is still an issue with Johnson now missing time for personal reasons. The receivers seem to make the biggest mental mistakes at the worst time and every week never fail to surprise me with how they find a way to screw up. Hurts IMO is not a franchise QB but he doesn't need to be if the team is built up around him I think he can win, which is enough  

Defense:

It can show up against mediocre or less offenses but this unit is flat out bad especially in the middle of the field. The d-line outside of Hargraves has been a massive let down, Sweat got a massive new deal and has one sack, Cox is the highest paid player on the team one sack, and Barnett gets more penalties then production. The linebackers are a joke and outside of Taylor maybe has no talent or playmakers whatsoever. The secondary has been a mixed bag, the corners have played pretty well but the safeties are laughable. The problem is this there no young homegrown talent and several contracts for veterans who are up after this year. 

Trades before the deadline:

1. Zach Ertz TE - Check 5th(#160) plus Gowan CB. 8.5 million cap savings.

2. Andre Dillard & Miles Sanders to Baltimore for a 3rd(#87) & 4th(#101) 2.6 million cap savings

Players cut/not re-signed: 27.5 million 2021 cap rollover + 22.7 million 2022 project cap surplus = 50+ million

1. Derek Barnett DE - I admit I had high hopes for the kid and thought his floor was another Brandon Graham, I was wrong. Derek has more penalties than sacks in his five years with the team, he makes the dumbest of mental errors which by now is also unacceptable. No cap savings 

2. Jason Kelce OC - The heart and soul of the team and captain of the parade, the stud from Cincy decides to hang up the cleats and retires an all time Philly favorite! 1.5 million cap savings

3. JJAW WR - He's a bust it's just that easy to say, I can't blame the team for wanting a Jeffrey 2.0 but he was a massive reach. 1.1 million cap savings.

*Post June 1st designation can be used at the start of the new NFL year for two players ie. Jefffrey and Jackson.

4. Brandon Brooks RG - Elite when healthy but that the problem he's missed the most of the games since he signed his new deal and I think the FO has tired on him. 13.5 million in cap savings.

Players re-signed: 65 +/- million to play with.

1. Dallas Goddert TE - An important chess piece moving forward and a young QB's best friend. Dallas is a complete TE and maybe not elite but he's certainly in the next tier, strong blocker, good route runner, and solid catching. He brings a missing piece to the offense, physicality he will run through you and is a handful to bring down. 5 years 60 million.

2. Avonte Maddox CB - Seems to found his spot in the secondary and has played decent enough. 1 year 4 million.

3. TJ Edwards LB - He's the only linebacker worth bringing back. 1 year RFA deal.

4. Nate Herbig OG - Has proven he can come in a jam and is decent depth 1 year RFA deal.

5. Boston Scott RB - Good for a change of pace back and is a YAC reciever 

Free Agency:

1. Wyatt Teller RG - It is an absolute need to sure up the right side of the line which has had multiple different starters since the super bowl. Wyatt is already considered one of the best at his position is still young and will be fixture for years earning multiple pro bowl nods. A beast in both road grading for the backs and pass protection he will bring stability to the interior. 5 years 58 million.

2. D.J. Chark WR - The missing piece for the receiving core is a big bodied wide-out, one that is fast and athletic would just be bonuses. D.J. would be the big outside threat that would command opposing defenses top corner, he brings a physical element and can easily beat jams something we lack currently. His injury limits his value a bit. 4 years 42 million.

3. Terrell Edmunds SS - Solid cover safety that is having a career year in his 4th season allowing one of the lowest passer rating among safeties. Terrell is a plug and play strong safety that brings superior coverage skills with excellent range and strong tackling ability. Stout against the run also he isn't afraid to take on his opponent head on and introduce them to the ground. 4 years 30 million.

Draft: I project them to have three firsts Miami(#4), Eagles(#6), Colts(#10)

1(#4) Kyle Hamilton FS - An elite talent that has lived up to his 5-star recruitment who IMO reminds me of Sean Taylor in so many ways. Kyle is a playmaker and there hasn't been anyone at his position to come out in years he's the break the mold type and worthy of a pick this early. A true stud with his size 6'3 215 lbs. unique he checks all the boxes for a dynamic safety something becoming more valuable in today's NFL, A ball hawk he is someone to be avoided if you throw in his direction there's a good chance he's picking it off. More then a willing tackler he is also a hard hitter who will take someone's head off, he will take on a big back or tight end and win.

1(#6) Aidan Hutchinson DE - The Eagles believe in building from the lines out and this would be a great addition. Aidan is a stud, athletically gifted and a force to be reckoned with equally strong in setting the edge and rushing the passer, he is a complete defensive end. His strength is his versatility and his ability to play all across the line which the teams traditionally values, his balance is elite for someone 6'6 270 lbs. Brandon Graham is going to love being mentor a fellow Wolverine and transitioning him to the next team captain.

1(#10) Andrew Booth Jr. CB - The 6'1 200 lbs. which is ideal size for the position and IMO is another stud and key piece to a talentless secondary. Called the "best tackling corner in college football" by his coach he is not afraid to get physical. Andrew is has terrific play speed, burst, transitional quickness, and fluidity. Being a former high recruit as a wide-out he's knows how to mirror receivers and is quite sticky giving up the lowest passer rating allowed in throws 20+ yard downfield in 2020 and it wasn't even close. 

2.(#38) Zach Harrison DE - This is still a need here even with the drafting of Hutchinson, Barnett and Kerrigan are gone next year and Graham isn't too from far there either and Sweat IMO is purely a pass-rush specialist. Zach is another elite talent at the position he's just relatively raw, but his athletic ability for someone 6'6 270 lbs. he has been reported running a 4.47 forty is mind blowing! Both his pass rushing skills and his ability needs to be worked on, but clearly the massive amount of talent is there.

3.(#70) DeMarvion Overshown ILB - Finally the FO sees the need to actually solid talent to the middle of the defense with a legit linebacker prospect and it is long over due. DeMarvion is an electric playmaker and a habitual producer and a natural leader and he has the traits to be special and a key chess piece. Still learning how to play linebacker his athletic ability is in undeniable as is his football IQ and instincts. A guy you build a defense around.

3.(#87) Payton Wilson SLB - Yes back to back linebackers it's that big of a need at this point. Payton would be a huge upgrade on the strong side he's a tackling machine and strong coming off the edge and wreaking havoc in the backfield. He's got the size and range to take on running backs and tight ends, IMO Gannon's scheme puts a premium on this position and Payton will provide.

4.(#101) Zach Charbonnet RB -The offense lacks someone who can run the rock down an opponents throat and that missing element shows on short yardage and goal line situations. Zach is that guy who could change all of that, he is a big thumper and is a hand full to bring down and is always looking to make a willing tackler think twice. 

4(#102) Phidarian Mathis DT - The interior of line needs depth and the run defense needs helps after getting gashed over and over so far this season. Phidarian is a stellar run defender coming from the 3-technique and this season he's been able to generate sacks to match. Explosive with impressive strength at the point of attack he will be difficult to move off the line.

5.(#134) Mike Jones Jr. WLB - A perfect weak side linebacker who excels in zone coverage. Mike is a smooth athlete in coverage being able to play man to man and even cover the slot. His tackling needs to be worked on and he needs to become more stout against the run. He has been used to rush the QB mainly while at Clemson but it isn't a strength. 

5.(#140) Logan Brown OT - Every year the o-line seems to dinged up quite a bit testing the depth pretty drastically, and now the team might be without Johnson for the remainder of the season. Logan a former 5 star recruit has had a rough season so far but his metrics are that of 1st round tackle. He will help shore up the line and with Stoutland coaching him his future would be bright.

5.(#160) Jalen Green  CB/S - Former 5-star recruit that versatility to play everywhere in the secondary he's got the size and athletic ability to become an important chess piece, but he's extremely raw having very limited playing time.

6.(#166) O'Cyrus Torrence IOL - Depth is still an issue and O'Cyrus is a versatile interior lineman able to play all three positions.

7.(#198) Erik Ezukanma WR - Elite size and skills he just needs coaching to bring all together.

Depth:

QB: Hurts, Minshew, UDFA

RB: Gainwell, Charbonnet, Scott

TE: Goddert, Jackson, Stoll

WR: Smith, Chark, Watkins, Reagor, Ezukanma, UDFA

LT: Mailata, Brown, Clark

LG: Seumalo, Torrence

OC: Dickerson

RG: Teller, Herbig

RT: Johnson, Driscoll

LE: Graham, Hutchinson

DT: Cox, Hargrave, Williams, Mathis, Tuipulotu

RE: Sweat, Harrison, Jackson

SLB: Wilson, Johnson, Bradley

ILB: Overshown, Edwards

WLB: Taylor, Stevens, Jones

CB: Slay, Booth, Maddox, McPhearson, Gowan, Scott, Green

FS: Hamilton, Epps

SS: Edmunds, Wallace

K: Elliott

P: Siposs 

Final analysis: 

The Eagles are in bad shape the gap between us and teams like Dallas is staggering the team especially on defense lacks top level talent and almost no depth to speak of. They still face a massive question at QB and this draft has no elite prospects so the team will be forced to ride or die with Hurts and if it doesn't work out they'll have a top 5 pick in 2023 which is a much better year for drafting a QB. I tried to address the major holes both for this year and the next three. The big thing is the team must come back to building through the draft and needs to develop a long term strategy. 

[Ray75]

OMG...

Not only did you do a 7 round mock but you also did a complete offseason. Respect! 👊🏻

Where to start?

First things first. I don’t believe Howie is going anywhere. I even think he had a good offseason with cap space in mind, possibly landed us 3 first round picks and, although the jury is still out, had a good draft.

We might trade Dillard depending on LJ’s status but I can’t see them trading Sanders. He’s a good RB and it’s not his fault Sirianni is clearly not using him enough.

I like your FA’s and agree on the re-signings.

The draft is really good but I can’t see them taking a safety in the first. I love Hamilton but I just don’t see it happening.

I would not take Booth over Elam and Sauce but that’s just personal preferance not a knock on Booth. 

It’s early but I don’t think Overshown will last till the 3rd.

Can’t comment on the rest of the picks because I just started to evaluate the draft class.

Great job, incredibly good read and respect for the work you’ve put in!

[eaglesfan0075]

Definitely appreciate the in-depth effort put into this mock offseason!

I do agree with Ray75 on a few things with your mock though: even if the Eagles get a new GM (which isn't a given), I just can't see them draft a safety with a top 5 pick. If we are drafting in the top 5, that pick will be either on a OL/DL or a QB, preferably the former because the QB class this year is not that great. I can see them taking a mid-round developmental QB or passing on the position altogether in a weak class like you have them doing here. The 2012 and 2013 drafts are proof that they don't need to force a QB early if the value is better elsewhere, even if QB is a need.

I do like those FA signings, very logical choices there. Also like the draft picks outside of Hamilton at 4.

Overall solid work!

[Ray75]

11 hours ago, eaglesfan0075 said:

Definitely appreciate the in-depth effort put into this mock offseason!

I do agree with Ray75 on a few things with your mock though: even if the Eagles get a new GM (which isn't a given), I just can't see them draft a safety with a top 5 pick. If we are drafting in the top 5, that pick will be either on a OL/DL or a QB, preferably the former because the QB class this year is not that great. I can see them taking a mid-round developmental QB or passing on the position altogether in a weak class like you have them doing here. The 2012 and 2013 drafts are proof that they don't need to force a QB early if the value is better elsewhere, even if QB is a need.

I do like those FA signings, very logical choices there. Also like the draft picks outside of Hamilton at 4.

Overall solid work!

Keep it up, Miami. Potential top 3 pick heading our way.

Leal, Neal, Thibodeaux or Hutchinson will be wearing midnight green next season.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I'm a big fan of Hamilton and overall I like this draft and this offseason. I mean they could make real strides if they did something like this and a lot of the moves worked out. 

But I'm not sure Hamilton that high is the right move? I know S is a need and I know Hamilton looks like a really really good young player but that just feels a little too rich for me.