Eagles 7 Round Mock Draft

[EaglesAddict]

Wrote this the other day, let me know what you think!  Be gentle on me!   Not sure if the hyperlinks will work since I copied/pasted...but if you're interested in the scouting reports I linked to and they aren't working here, here is the link to where I wrote this: Article

Before free agency, the NFL Combine, pre-draft visits, etc, a mock draft at this point is really about what the Eagles should do...or at least, hope they do. Things will change quite a bit between now and April 28th and once we see what transpires over the next 2.5 months, we should have a better inclination as to what the Eagles will do in the draft.

For now, it's just fun to think about the many ways things could play out and what players could be future Eagles.

I am going to base this initial mock on a few assumptions: They don't trade any of their first round picks for a vet QB, Jason Kelce returns, and they make a WR and Safety as their free agent priorities .

Round 1, Pick 15 - Trade! The Eagles start the draft off with a big move to acquire some 2023 draft capital as next year's QB class should be much better than this year's. The Falcons are entering Year 2 with Arthur Smith and Matt Ryan's time is winding down. After seeing both Tom Brady and Sean Payton leave their division, the NFC South is WIDE open.

I can see Atlanta wanting to be aggressive in order to take advantage of the weakened division.

The deal: Eagles receive Atlanta's 2nd rounder (pick No. 43), 3rd rounder (pick No. 74) and their 2023 1st.

Round 1, Pick 16 - DE Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State, 6' 4" 259 lbs

If it's not Johnson, it'll be Karlaftis or Ojabo. Any which way you cut it, there's no way this team doesn't use either pick 15 or 16 on an edge rusher.

As for Johnson, I think he could actually be the guy the Eagles target. He definitely seems to have the right mentality and the Eagles met with him during Senior Bowl week. Here are a couple of quotes, courtesy of Dave Zangaro:

Johnson was asked his thoughts on a player like Aaron Donald:

"That guy is feared among the best of the best,” Johnson said. "At the end of the day, that’s my goal. Taking another man’s will. Having someone be terrified to go up against you. There’s no better feeling than that and you can just feel it as a player, when you know someone is just shaking in their boots. That’s a rewarding feeling.”

It would be great to see him take Dak Prescott's will twice per year!

On his skills and overall football journey leading up to this point heading into the NFL draft:

"It’s almost like bamboo,” Johnson said. "When you plant bamboo, you don’t see anything for a long, long, long time and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it explodes.”

Planting bamboo, planting flowers...tomato, tomahto. Sirriani will be all over this guy!

Scouting Report

Round 1, Pick 19 - DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M, 6' 4" 290 lbs

The Eagles double-down on the DL! I put Leal as a "DL" due to his versatility to play both the interior and edge. However, I believe the Eagles will primarily view him as a DT who can line up outside when needed (you know this team loves versatility). Leal seems better suited at DT and will provide strong pass rush ability up the middle.

It's certainly possible the Eagles will prefer a different player here, but my main point is I think they should target 2 defensive linemen with these picks. Their philosophy under both Jim Schwartz and now Gannon is to get pressure while rushing only 4. So, obviously, they need the horses to pull this off as last year's line (minus Brandon Graham) just wasn't getting it done.

Leal and Milton Williams could be a strong future DT tandem for years to come. For 2022, it would be those 2 with Cox and Hargrave to form a formidable rotation on the interior of the line.

Scouting Report

Round 2, Pick 43 - CB Roger McCreary, Auburn, 5' 10" 189 lbs

There's no question the Eagles need to add some talent in the secondary. If the Eagles end up using all 3 of their first round picks, I'd expect CB to be addressed at that point. Some view McCreary as a possible first-rounder while others see him more as a Round 2 player.

For what it's worth, Daniel Jeremiah has McCreary rated as his No. 45 overall player as per his top 50 list.

Last year, I wanted the Eagles to take Asante Samuel Jr with their 2nd round pick, but they took Landon Dickerson instead. Thankfully, Dickerson looks to be a really good player because so does Samuel Jr. This year, if they don't take a CB in Round 1, I would bet a good penny they'll take one in Round 2...especially in this particular scenario in having two 2nd round picks.

Scouting Report

Round 2, Pick 51 - LB Chad Muma, Wyoming, 6' 3' 245 lbs

Even if the Eagles use all three of their first round picks, it's still unlikely they'll address the LB position until Round 2 at the earliest. No matter what we may want, Howie just maintains that ongoing philosophy that LBs don't matter...much. But, maybe that will change after watching Gannon's unit last year. They simply need playmakers at this position, period.

There could be a few other good options at this spot...if Christian Harris from Alabama is on the board, he's my pick (I think he's gone by this pick). Oklahoma's Brian Asamoah is definitely an intriguing option as well, but he kinda has that "tweener" label due to his size and I just don't like players that may not have a defined position (though I'm not 100% opposed to it, either).

Enter Muma. He has the size, physicality and mentality that is perfect to be a true captain of the defense. I think he would be a great fit in Gannon's defense due to his elite zone abilities.

Scouting Report

Round 3, Pick 74 - WR Alec Pierce, Cincinnati, 6' 3" 208 lbs

While I believe the Eagles will mainly address the WR position via free agency, they will certainly still have room on the roster for a draft pick. Pierce strikes me as a "sleeper" kind of pick in that I haven't seen a whole lot of buzz about him...yet.

Over 3 seasons in Cincy he caught 106 passes for 1,851 yards, 13 TDs and a really nice 17.5 yards per catch average! He can be a deep threat, contested catch monster and has the versatility to play outside and in the slot. I can see Pierce being talked about as a 2nd rounder after the Combine, but we will see.

Scouting Report

Round 3, Pick 83 - CB Marcus Jones, Houston, 5' 8" 185 lbs

A short CB? Yeah, but he's feisty! He's also the best return man in the draft. When is the last time you were excited to see an Eagles punt or kickoff return? They severely need someone who can provide a spark in this area.

In the past 2 seasons, Jones has returned 43 punts with an average of 16.5 yards per return with 3 TDs. Pretty good, I'd say. This past season he also returned 15 kickoffs with an average of 34 yards per return and 2 more TDs. Again, yep, prettay prettay good.

As for defense, this past year he was credited with 13 PBUs and 5 INTs. So, it seems he has good ball skills as well.

He mostly projects as a slot CB, and the Eagles do have Maddox, but Jones is certainly good enough to carve out a role on defense while being a featured return specialist.

Scouting Report

Round 4, Pick 122 - DE Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma, 6' 5" 260 lbs

This has to be the year the Eagles rebuild their DL. Barnett and Kerrigan will be gone, Brandon Graham aging and coming off major injury, and Cox declining, etc. Josh Sweat, Milton Williams and Javon Hargrave (who just turned 29) are really the only defensive linemen we can hopefully count on for the future.

That said, DE is a little more pressing than DT. With Johnson and Leal in the fold, we add another pass rusher from the edge. Thomas is somewhat raw, but has some impressive traits and potential to work with and develop.

Scouting Report

Round 5, Pick 153 - OT Dare Rosenthal, Kentucky, 6' 7" 327 lbs

Continuing with the building the trenches theme, Rosenthal sounds like a raw prospect that has all the tools to become a very good player...with the right coaching. He sounds like another dream prospect for Jeff Stoutland to get his hands on.

He could be groomed to be Lane Johnson's eventual successor.

Scouting Report

Round 5, Pick 161 - TE Cole Turner, Nevada, 6' 6" 246 lbs

Dallas Goedert is a very good TE1, but we need more behind him. Tyree Jackson may pan out, or he may not. Turner is another developmental prospect that has the tools to become a quality NFL TE. Good upside pick here.

Scouting Report

Round 5, Pick 165 - RB Dameon Pierce, Florida, 5' 10" 215 lbs

2022 could be the last season we see Miles Sanders in an Eagles uniform. Kenny Gainwell is a nice player but I can't foresee him taking on a full time role. Jordan Howard is likely not back next year, particularly if we take Pierce here.

Pierce is a low mileage, yet productive player when given opportunities. He can run, block and catch thus has the makings of a 3-down RB. Taking him here will alleviate any issues with whether or not to re-sign Sanders. Pierce certainly has the potential of a future starter.

Scouting Report

Round 6, Pick 192 - OL Nathan Eldridge, Oregon State, 6' 4" 297 lbs

Can't leave the draft without another lineman! Eldridge is a Center and will give the Eagles another option for Stoutland to work his magic and develop a high quality player. Eldridge seems to have the physical traits and mentality to thrive, with pro coaching.

Scouting Report

[Ray75]

Don’t have to be gentle. It’s an awesome draft. Only nitpicking I’d have is that I don’t think Falcons would ever make such a trade. Atlanta always stays put and takes BPA on their board.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

Round 2, Pick 43 - CB Roger McCreary, Auburn, 5' 10" 189 lbs

Round 3, Pick 83 - CB Marcus Jones, Houston, 5' 8" 185 lbs

 

Not a fan of more undersized corners.

[Rob331]

First - welcome to the mock draft board. Glad to see some new thinking. 

Second - thanks for the post - I like the format and how you lay out your thinking.

I like the trade - gives us an additional pick this year and we have quite a few slots to fill.

I love the first 3 picks and would be thrilled.

Then you lose me. Both of our safeties are free agents and at best one comes back. That Muma pick would be a mistake in my book. I can abide by massing on a safety earlier, but we absolutely have to fill a hole with this pick. Cine, Pitre, or O'Neal would have to be the pick here since Hill and Brisker are sure to be gone by pick 51.

I agree that next pick could and should be a receiver. I'd be fine with Pierce, Perkins, Robinson, Bell, Tolbert, Watson, or Doubs - good pick!

I hate the Marcus Jones pick. NO more little corners and no more corners who run 4.5 or more. Another safety or even a linebacker here makes more sense to me. Quay Walker should be there. 

Round 4 pick 122 - bingo. Nice pick. You get value and fill a need. 

Round 5 pick 133 - no, no, no. I know Howie builds in the trenches but not this year. We have 3 tackles with Clark and Driscoll both able to swing outside. I'd only agree with your pick if we trade Dillard and get another 3. 

Round 5 pick 161 and 165 - great minds think alike. With Tyree Jackson's injury we need another TE. With Jordan Howard and probably leaving in free agency a bigger running back is a must at this pick. 

Round 6 pick 192 - You already know how I feel about using picks on the O-line this draft. I'd rather see this pick used on a punter (Camarda) or a developmental quarterback (Glass).

All that being said, I'd be happy with your draft. Thanks again for the read and for your thoughts. 

 

[EaglesAddict]

2 hours ago, Ray75 said:

Don’t have to be gentle. It’s an awesome draft. Only nitpicking I’d have is that I don’t think Falcons would ever make such a trade. Atlanta always stays put and takes BPA on their board.

Thanks man.  Falcons made a huge trade-up for Julio Jones in 2011.  Granted, a long time ago.  They have two second round picks this year as well.  I'm sure it's a long shot, but Atlanta could try to be aggressive in order to take advantage of a division that just suddenly got a lot weaker.  If they fall in love with someone and think they can make a run this year, they could get aggressive in a trade up.

[EaglesAddict]

24 minutes ago, Rob331 said:

First - welcome to the mock draft board. Glad to see some new thinking. 

Second - thanks for the post - I like the format and how you lay out your thinking.

I like the trade - gives us an additional pick this year and we have quite a few slots to fill.

I love the first 3 picks and would be thrilled.

Then you lose me. Both of our safeties are free agents and at best one comes back. That Muma pick would be a mistake in my book. I can abide by massing on a safety earlier, but we absolutely have to fill a hole with this pick. Cine, Pitre, or O'Neal would have to be the pick here since Hill and Brisker are sure to be gone by pick 51.

I agree that next pick could and should be a receiver. I'd be fine with Pierce, Perkins, Robinson, Bell, Tolbert, Watson, or Doubs - good pick!

I hate the Marcus Jones pick. NO more little corners and no more corners who run 4.5 or more. Another safety or even a linebacker here makes more sense to me. Quay Walker should be there. 

Round 4 pick 122 - bingo. Nice pick. You get value and fill a need. 

Round 5 pick 133 - no, no, no. I know Howie builds in the trenches but not this year. We have 3 tackles with Clark and Driscoll both able to swing outside. I'd only agree with your pick if we trade Dillard and get another 3. 

Round 5 pick 161 and 165 - great minds think alike. With Tyree Jackson's injury we need another TE. With Jordan Howard and probably leaving in free agency a bigger running back is a must at this pick. 

Round 6 pick 192 - You already know how I feel about using picks on the O-line this draft. I'd rather see this pick used on a punter (Camarda) or a developmental quarterback (Glass).

All that being said, I'd be happy with your draft. Thanks again for the read and for your thoughts. 

 

Thanks Rob!  I did preface the mock with saying it's under the assumption that we'll prioritize WR and Safety in free agency (well, that's my hope anyway).  
I love the Marcus Jones pick! ha ha  That pick is more about having an explosive return specialist rather than a true CB.  That said, I do think he can carve out an NFL career at slot CB.  So, return guy and insurance in case Maddox gets injured or falls off a cliff.

As for the OL - I'm not a fan of Clark.  I like Driscoll, but he has been hurt a lot so far (starting to think he's made of glass).  Dillard will likely be gone and Lane Johnson keeps having ankle issues and is getting older.  Need to keep the big guys in the pipeline with Stout prepping them!