March mock after most of free agency

[Rob331]

The first week and a half of free agency is gone and the Eagles are just a bit better. Reddick is an upgrade over Barnett and Pascal is certain to be more effective than Reagor. That leaves us with a bundle of needs. 

Critical high priority, can't be competitive without it:

• Starting Corner. At present we have no one at all who is capable of filling that role.
• Safety. For all the talk about Marcus Epps being competent, he's just that - competent. We need a difference maker to play along side of Harris.

High priority, we'll be competitive if we don't add it, but we won't be good.

• Wide receiver. Pascal is a nice improvement, but he won't be a factor for other defenses.
• Big running back. Third and 2, fourth and 1. Move the pile. Howard showed what a big guy can do behind our line so let's replace him in kind. 
• Rotational DE who will be BG's replacement in 2023. We have 2 DE's on running downs BG,&  Sweat. 3 on passing downs with Reddick. 
• Rotational DT who will be Fletch's replacement in 2023. The Eagles use a 4 man rotaton and at present have Cox, Hargrave, and Williams. Linebacker.
• Linebacker. The Eagles play 2 in their nickel. That's Taylor and Edwards. Not good enough. 

Needs improvement

• Punter. Any questions?
• Tight end. We can line up with Goedert, Stoll, Rodgers/Togiai and Jackson coming back mid-year, but wo wants to.  

Nice to have 

• Upgrade at backup corner. McPhereson and Chachere are special teamers, period. 
• Upgrade at backup running back. We all love Boston Scott, but Gainwell is taking over his role. 
• Upgrade at backup wide receiver. Pascal replaces JJAW on the roster. A high draft pick replace Reagor.  Ward could be upgraded.
• Punt returner. It would be nice to win the battle of hidden yards on occasion
• Developmental quarterback. Ripe for an upgrade. Even if Reid Sennet is an adequate #3 we don't have one on the practice squad. 

That's 14 needs and we have 10 picks. 7 of the needs are high priority and we have 5 picks on the 1st and 2nd day. Bottom line, we need more picks.

Trades: 

• As many as 6 offensive tackles will be taken in the 1st round. Matt Ryan is immobile and Indianapolis needs a left tackle. Andre Dillard to the Colts for the 73rd pick. 
• Eagles trade the 16th pick (value 1000) to Dallas for a 1 (pick 24 value 740) and a 2 (pick 56 value 340)

Draft:

• 1 - 15  CB Kair Elam, Florida. 6'1" 187 4.39. This fills our biggest hole
• 1 - 20 DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State. 6'4" 255 4.58. Dallas wanted Karlaftis and got him. We got a better deal. 
• 1- 24 DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma. 6'3" 298 4.89. Fills out our rotation and sets us up nicely for 2023
• 2-51 S Jaquan Brisker, Penn State. 6'1" 203 4.49. Size, speed and major conference experience. Will push or beat out Epps. 
• 2-56 RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M. 6'1" 225 4.52. Not only is he a big back. He's a ready made back up or replacement for Sanders.
• 3-73 LB Troy Anderson, Montana State. 6'3" 243 4.42. The speed will make him a plus defender on tight ends immediately. He and Taylor are the nickel backer future.
• 3-83 WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama. 6'1" 195 4.49. Shined at the senior bowl and combine. He and Pascal replace JJAW and Reagor
• 4-124 OT Matt Waletzko, North Dakota. 6'7& 300 5.03. Replaces Dillard on the roster. 
• 5-154 TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State. 6'6" 252 4.77. 
• 5-162 QB Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M. 6'3" 228  4.95
• 5-166 CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State. 6'4" 195 4.33. A H-W-S freak who could develop into something special. 
• 6-194 P Matt Araiza, San Diego State. He and Camarda are considered the pest punters in college ball.  

Summary:

• Filled all of the needs except another RB who would replace Scott and a punt returner
• Set us up for retirements of Cox And BG
• Set us up for Sanders next injury and/or not re-signing him for next year.
• Got Winfrey (24) and Spiller (56) for Karlaftis (16)