Round 4 Pick 151: – Jermar Jefferson – Oregon St. – RB
Miles Sanders had some explosive plays in 2020, why not add a complementary back who could do the same?
Jermar Jefferson is as compact as they come at 5’9″ 215 lbs, but that doesn’t keep him from making play after play after play. He may never be a bell cow, but the Eagles don’t need him to be.
While not the fastest guy out there, his ability to make crisp cuts on a dime allows him to rack up the yardage in bunches. The Eagles need a capable running back behind Sanders, and while Scott is a nice guy.. he’s not it…unless it’s against the Giants.
Jefferson could be the “Nyheim Hines” to Sanders’ “Marlon Mack/Jonathan Taylor” for Coach Sirianni. That would be deadly for opposing defenses.
Round 5 Pick 157: (via Dallas) – Jaelon Darden – North Texas – WR
If you don’t know who Darden is, you better get quickly acquainted.
The Eagles’ kick returning game was putrid in 2020. Boston Scott was fifth in the league with 28 returns, but averaged 21.1 yards per return (11th out of 13 players with 20 or more returns).
Darden is the human version of a joystick. His ability to change direction and leave defenders in the dust is something the Eagles desperately need.
Tired of seeing Greg Ward on screens? Enter Darden.
Tired of seeing end-arounds end up for a loss? Enter Darden.
While his routes need work, his determination and work ethic will allow him to improve in that area very quickly.
An offense featuring Bateman, Reagor, Sanders, and Darden is fast.
Round 6 Pick 191: – Drake Jackson – Kentucky – IOL
It’s entirely possible (and likely) that Jackson isn’t available at this point. But you know what? It’s my mock. I do what I want.
Jackson is one of the top center prospects in this class, but he’s just that: a center. This is a huge reason why his stock isn’t as high as other interior linemen.
Despite the limitation to one position, Jackson does that position very well. He’s not the strongest linemen out there, but his low base and his ability to anchor allows him to block the toughest of defensive tackles.
With Jason Kelce (another sixth-round Eagles center) set to retire any day now, the Eagles would be wise to draft his eventual replacement. While Seumalo or Driscoll may slide into that spot immediately, Jackson could be the center for the next ten years.
Round 6 Pick 220: – Chris Rumph II – Duke – EDGE
BG, Barnett (maybe), and Josh Sweat. Those are your top edge rushers on the roster.
Joe Ostman has promise, if given the opportunity, and the team also has Matt Leo on the roster (“who?”). The Eagles have moved Genard Avery to his more natural position at linebacker, so they need some more edge rushers.
Chris Rumph II is built like a basketball player at 6’3″ 225 lb, so he’ll need to bulk up some to be a true force on the DL but the man has so much raw ability it’s insane.
His mobility and his speed allowed him to beat some of the best OL prospects in the country routinely.
If the Eagles could unlock his true potential, they’ll have themselves an absolute gem of a defensive end.
(Yeah I know that’s a Bills’ tweet)
Round 7 Pick 228: Christian Uphoff – Illinois State – S
Many prospects go unnoticed throughout the season due to the league they play in, which is the case for some of the top FCS products.
Illinois State’s Christian Uphoff may be a stranger to many Eagles fans, but if you watched the Senior Bowl you know plenty about him.
Named the SB’s top safety on the National team by the team’s QB and WR groups, Uphoff has the skills to be a productive safety in the NFL.
While those skills need to be honed in, I have no doubt he can be a real contributor for the Eagles. He’ll be regulated to special teams duty at first, but don’t be surprised if he plays his way to a fourth safety role behind K’Von Wallace, Grayland Arnold, and Rodney McLeod (when he returns).
As a kick returner, he averaged 27.1 yards per return on 34 kick returns.
Are you still yelling at me? Yes? Oh… sorry. I tried.
Note: All players drafted were available at time of selection on The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator. So save your “LoLz He WoN’t Be ThErE”
Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire
