Eagles-only mock draft, version 4.0

BY JIMMY KEMPSKI
PhillyVoice Staff

BOB DONNAN/USA TODAY SPORTS

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett

As you're well aware, the Philadelphia Eagles have three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, and 10 picks total, which should make mock draft season fun this year.

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Previous Eagles-only mock drafts

Version 1.0 | Version 2.0 | Version 3.0

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Round 1, pick 15: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (6'3, 217)

Pickett had an outstanding senior season during which he threw for 42 TDs vs. 7 INTs and a 67.2 completion percentage. He has very good pocket presence, mechanics, and when you watch him play you can pretty clearly see his competitiveness and toughness. His ability to escape the pocket, extend the play, and throw on the run gives me some Tony Romo vibes.

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Nick Sirianni laid out the four traits he values most in quarterbacks:

"When you look at a quarterback, there are many different things you're looking at, but the four main things you're looking at is the accuracy, decision making, the ability to create, and seeing if he's above the line in arm strength."

Pickett has a substantial edge over Jalen Hurts in the accuracy and arm strength categories, and he's no slouch in his ability to create.

The one big knock on Pickett is something he can't control — his Burger King hands, which measured in at 8.5 inches at the Combine. Some teams will care about that more than others. 

There are some Eagles fans who would like the quarterback discussion to go away, but let's not fool ourselves. The Eagles had interest in trading for Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson this offseason. They can say they love Jalen Hurts until they're blue in the face, and maybe then do, but they were looking to upgrade on him in the trade market and still could be in the draft.

The Eagles have shown interest in Pickett, as Howie Roseman traveled to Pitt to watch him play in person in November. They took him out to dinner after his pro day. 

Gotta keep the factory churning.

Round 1, pick 16: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia (6'6, 341)

Davis is a mammoth human being at 6'6, 341, and you can see on the field that he's amazingly quick for his size.

At the NFL Combine, Davis had a jaw dropping performance for a man his size. It's crazy that a 6'6, 341-pound man is even capable of running 4.78 40, but that's what Davis did.

I wouldn't normally advocate for a run stuffing DT in the first round, but if you have a chance to add a player with extremely unique size and athleticism measurables, he's a player who can perhaps develop as a pass rusher. 

But even if Davis never becomes a guy who puts up big sacks numbers, he can still be very effective. He is a player that centers will not be able to single block, so he'll at least provide one-on-one matchups across the board against the pass when he's doubled. Against the run, if you plop this dude down in the middle of the line, thus allowing Jonathan Gannon to commit fewer resources toward stopping the run, he would make a lot of sense in the Eagles' defense.

The Eagles already have a strong defensive tackle rotation in Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, and Milton Williams, but it's a position they place a high priority on, and Cox's time with the team could soon be coming to an end.

Round 1, pick 19: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (6'0, 187)

Like DeVonta Smith, Olave has a slight build, he is an excellent route runner, and he makes difficult catches look easy, though he does not possess Smith's contested catch traits. He is more of a deep threat than Smith, however, as he has good speed and ball-tracking ability. He won't remind anyone of Deebo Samuel or A.J. Brown in the run after catch department.

Olave was productive in 2020, catching 50 passes for 729 yards and 7 TDs in just 6 games. That averages out to 7-104-1 per game. In 2021, he had 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 TDs in 11 games.

The Eagles could use a big receiver opposite Smith, but their interest in trading for 6'1, 190-pound Calvin Ridley shows a willingness to just add good receivers instead of fixating on a certain type of receiver. And really, I don't see the harm in having two skinny guys who create a ton of separation and make life easier for their quarterback.

Round 2, pick 51: Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota (6'4, 261)

Mafe came in at No. 17 on Bruce Feldman's "freaks" list this past offseason. 

He’s put on more than 50 pounds since arriving at Minnesota and weighs 263 now, up from 260 last year. Mafe (4.5 sacks in six games in 2020) says he did a lot of single-leg work this offseason in hopes of improving his footwork. His weight-room numbers are impressive; now the key is to take a guy who has vertical jumped 40.5 inches, broad jumped 10-6, run the 40 in 4.57 and power cleaned 400 pounds to make a lot more plays on the field.

He backed up that hype at the 2022 NFL Combine:

In 2021, Mafe finished with good-not-great production, with 34 tackles, 7 sacks, and 1 FF in 12 games. A highlight reel:  (CLICK ON LINK TO ARTICLE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO)

With David Ojabo having torn his Achilles, this draft's edge rusher depth took a hit. Since we've already profiled Purdue's George Karlaftis and Florida State's Jermaine Johnson in previous Eagles-only mock drafts (and we don't repeat players), this is a scenario where the Eagles are forced to address edge rusher in Round 2. 

Round 3, pick 83: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (6'4, 243)

Andersen is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft, due to his extremely rare versatility, size, and athleticism. He played quarterback and running back at Montana State before flipping to linebacker. In 2021, Andersen had 147 tackles (14 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 INTs, and 7 PBUs.

His size-athleticism measurables are outstanding, as he ran a 4.42 at 6'4, 243.

He also impressed at the Senior Bowl with a strong week of practice.

Andersen has some learning to do at linebacker, but he has sideline-to-sideline range and can cover larger areas of the intermediate areas of the field where the Eagles got killed last season.

Round 4, pick 124: JT Woods, S, Baylor (6'2, 195)

Hey, there's a theme here. Athletes! Woods is another one at the safety position. 

Woods had 5 INTs in 2021, and 3 in 2020. We'll see what the Eagles do at safety through the rest of free agency, but Woods is a player with excellent speed who can play deep responsibilities.

Round 5, pick 154: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina (6'5, 245)

Likely had a pair of very productive seasons to close his college career, and some ridiculous yards per catch averages from a tight end.

Isaiah Likely	Rec	Yards	YPC	TD
2018	12	106	8.8	5
2019	32	431	13.5	5
2020	30	601	20.0	5
2021	59	912	15.5	12
TOTAL	133	2050	15.4	27

Likely finished second in the nation among tight ends in 2021 in receiving yards and touchdowns.

The Eagles can use a second tight end to complement Dallas Goedert, and Likely could be a fun mismatch against linebackers.

Round 5, pick 162: Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan (6'2, 228)

The Eagles can use a younger, more durable version of Jordan Howard. Haskins is a big 228-pound between the tackles banger who is going to get you the yardage that is there, but isn't much of a threat for home runs.

He'll be a chain-mover in the NFL, and would be a good fit as a rotational back for any run-heavy offense.

Round 5, pick 166: Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest (6'4, 304)

The Eagles love them some versatile offensive linemen, and Tom played both at OT and C at Wake Forest. His home in the NFL will almost certainly be at center, and he brings outstanding athleticism to the position.

Give Jeff Stoutland a year to coach this guy up to eventually take over for Jason Kelce.

Round 6, pick 194: Jordan Stout, P, Penn State (6'3, 209)

In previous Eagles-only mocks, we have covered San Diego State's Matt Araiza and Georgia's Jake Camarda.

Penn State's Jordan Stout is another draft-worthy punter, who averaged 46.0 yards per punt in 2021. He also handled placekicking duties (he was just OK there), but will focus on punting in the NFL. Do we have punting highlights? You bet your ass we do.

Oh baby, that was fun.

Arryn Siposs turned into a Shankopotomous machine at the end of the season. The Eagles shouldn't lose their minds and use some sort of valuable resource on a punter, obviously, but in the sixth round? Sure, what the hell.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-only-mock-draft-version-4-0-kenny-pickett-jordan-davis-chris-olave/

I won't like it if we take a QB in Round 1, there's just nothing overly compelling about any of the top QBs...if we take a QB at all, I'd prefer Carson Strong on Day 2.  But, would really just like to focus on building out the rest of the roster.

The Ojabo injury sucks.  Sucks for him and sucks for the Eagles.  That's one less DE on the board which will make any of the top DEs more unlikely to last until pick 15.  If the Eagles want Jordan Davis or a DE like Karlaftis, they will now likely have to trade up at least a few spots to get their guy.  They will definitely have to leap-frog Baltimore, they've been trying to sign an edge rusher since FA started...so, they're definitely in the market for one.

Daniel Jeremiah has the Eagles taking Boye Mafe at 19 in his latest mock...which is a direct reflection of the Ojabo injury.  Mafe has the look of a player who might develop, could be real good....or could be a flat-out bust.  If the draft played out like Kempski has it here and addressing edge on day 2, Mafe makes more sense there (not in round 1).

With a lackluster free agency so far, there is virtually no way the Eagles will be able to address all their needs in the draft....especially if they want to trade away one of their firsts for a first next year.  Unless they nail all of their picks, there will still be holes to fill after the draft.

Best case scenario is the Eagles can trade up a few spots from 15 to nab, say, Karlaftis (prob have to give up our 2nd in doing so)...then trade back from 16 to the late first/early second range, get that 2023 first rounder, then draft Booth at 19, then grab a Safety with the pick that they traded back to (Brisker is my preference).  Then hope someone like WR Alec Pierce is there in Round 3.

So, after the first 3 rounds the Eagles end up with Karlaftis, Booth, Brisker, Pierce and a 2023 first.

4 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

I won't like it if we take a QB in Round 1, there's just nothing overly compelling about any of the top QBs...if we take a QB at all, I'd prefer Carson Strong on Day 2.  But, would really just like to focus on building out the rest of the roster.

The Ojabo injury sucks.  Sucks for him and sucks for the Eagles.  That's one less DE on the board which will make any of the top DEs more unlikely to last until pick 15.  If the Eagles want Jordan Davis or a DE like Karlaftis, they will now likely have to trade up at least a few spots to get their guy.  They will definitely have to leap-frog Baltimore, they've been trying to sign an edge rusher since FA started...so, they're definitely in the market for one.

Daniel Jeremiah has the Eagles taking Boye Mafe at 19 in his latest mock...which is a direct reflection of the Ojabo injury.  Mafe has the look of a player who might develop, could be real good....or could be a flat-out bust.  If the draft played out like Kempski has it here and addressing edge on day 2, Mafe makes more sense there (not in round 1).

With a lackluster free agency so far, there is virtually no way the Eagles will be able to address all their needs in the draft....especially if they want to trade away one of their firsts for a first next year.  Unless they nail all of their picks, there will still be holes to fill after the draft.

Best case scenario is the Eagles can trade up a few spots from 15 to nab, say, Karlaftis (prob have to give up our 2nd in doing so)...then trade back from 16 to the late first/early second range, get that 2023 first rounder, then draft Booth at 19, then grab a Safety with the pick that they traded back to (Brisker is my preference).  Then hope someone like WR Alec Pierce is there in Round 3.

So, after the first 3 rounds the Eagles end up with Karlaftis, Booth, Brisker, Pierce and a 2023 first.

I've been saying for some time now that it is going to take more than a single offseason to build this roster / fill all holes if we do it properly (through the draft and with the right FA additions).  I don't want them to overpay for aging vets to serve as expensive bandaids ... I'd sooner see us roll with some of our depth players if need be like Epps/Wallace at S for a season (or two) until we can add the right players.  

No need to trade up for anyone.  We have many holes to fill and aren't a few players away from contending.  Need a huge influx at talent, especially on D

10 minutes ago, time2rock said:

I've been saying for some time now that it is going to take more than a single offseason to build this roster / fill all holes if we do it properly (through the draft and with the right FA additions).  I don't want them to overpay for aging vets to serve as expensive bandaids ... I'd sooner see us roll with some of our depth players if need be like Epps/Wallace at S for a season (or two) until we can add the right players.  

The more I see and read about Brisker, the more I'm starting to like him...I think he could be a great trade-back target.  

I agree about not wanting expensive bandaids, but it appears the Eagles were in on a few upper-echelon FAs but they ultimately missed out. Now I suppose they are on to plan B...or C...or D...just hope we don't get to plan F (the F it plan)

5 minutes ago, weko said:

No need to trade up for anyone.  We have many holes to fill and aren't a few players away from contending.  Need a huge influx at talent, especially on D

That's what many of us think....but what do you think Howie will do?  If his #1 goal in the draft is to get a Dlineman, the chances they trade up just increased a bunch with the Ojabo injury.

It'll be another clusterf--- if the eagles take another QB in the first.  No need to take project after project only to discard them after 1 year of learning.  They can't be the cleveland browns or the denver broncos with the QB carousels.

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

Best case scenario is the Eagles can trade up a few spots from 15 

We have more needs than picks. We need to trade down and amass more picks. 

42 minutes ago, Rob331 said:

We have more needs than picks. We need to trade down and amass more picks. 

Where was that quote (that you quoted me) from?  I am not one that wants to trade up for a QB or anyone really unless it is something slight (like say using a 4th to move up 2-3 spots).  

It was in the next to last paragraph of the post by Eaglesaddict above

who is this guy seems like a TATE’r mock 

15 hours ago, Rob331 said:

It was in the next to last paragraph of the post by Eaglesaddict above

Strange that it quoted me instead of Eaglesaddict.  

Pickett is not falling to 15. Too many QB needy teams ahead of them who will take him. If I had to guess I'd say 2 QBs go off the board before the Eagles pick and 1 of those will be Pickett.