Howie Roseman made a blockbuster trade last night and it’s drastically altered the lay of the land for the Philadelphia Eagles. But how much will they be missing out in the short-term? Can Howie still knock it out of the park after giving up a first-round pick yesterday?
It’s time to turn on the mock draft machine!
Round 1, Pick 15: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
It’s hard not to see the Eagles using this pick on an EDGE rusher and there are so many to choose from. It’s almost impossible that one of the premier defensive ends doesn’t fall into Howie’s lap, and we know that the Eagles need some long-term stability there.
Karlaftis had 14 sacks, 29 TFL, 97 tackles, and 3 forced fumbles in 26 games with Purdue. Like Milton Williams, versatility is his calling card. He can set the edge, line up inside, and use his power to keep his head above water against much bigger linemen. He’s a power-rusher in every sense, but would be a great compliment to the growing lean, mean, rushing machine that the team are building.
*TRADE*
An old friend comes knocking for Nick Sirianni. The Eagles trade pick 18 to the Colts in exchange for pick 42 and a 2023 first-rounder. Howie continues to live rent-free in Indy’s head, stacks another pick into the 2023 warchest, and is able to select a difference-maker at 42.
Round 2, Pick 42: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The Eagles love Senior Bowl standouts and athletic monsters. The Auburn product ticks both boxes here after he was named the best CB of the week on the American team, and became a NextGen Stats darling.
Drafting a CB1 early isn’t the best move with Darius Slay still in the picture. Finding someone who is a solid CB2 option and can develop into that CB1 ceiling is the smart play, and what McCreary lacks in length, he makes up for in agility and route-recognition.
Round 3, Pick 51: Travis Jones, DT, UConn
Pros: Incredible athlete and a vicious pass-rusher when he gets going. Cons: Doesn’t show it off the snap consistently and lacks ability to read pins, pulls, and screens at times.
Jones fits perfectly into the current rotation with that in mind, sitting in behind Cox and Hargrave for a season as a space-eating monster that will open things up for Milton Williams.
Pick 83, Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Georgia’s defense is rampant and Walker was at the heart of it last year. He’s similar to Davion Taylor in the sense that he doesn’t have too much experience under his belt, but he’s a monstrous athlete. If the Eagles can groom him to eventually take over from T.J Edwards, Walker would have a ceiling lower than teammate Nakobe Dean, but high enough to warrant taking a shot on.
Pick 101, Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College
If the Eagles say now to Linderbaum, Lindstrom is a perfect consolation prize. Friend of PSN, Lindstrom was very open in an interview with us about how he models his game after Jason Kelce. What better situation to walk into than one where he can learn from his idol for a year before stepping up to fill his boots?
Pick 124, James Cook, RB, Georgia
So, he may not be the all-star that his brother is, but Cook is a powerhouse back who isn’t afraid to put his head down and churn out those dirty yards. Howie likes cheap running backs on long contracts and this would give Philly a developmental option behind Jordan Howard, who is a bruiser built in the same vein. The long-term plan here would be for Gainwell and Cook to eventually displace Scott and Howard.
SEND COOK.
Pick 154, Sterling Weatherford, S, Miami
6’4, 215 lbs at safety? Hello. He’s very rangy, very athletic, and is basically a hybrid SAF/LB product that could unravel a few more layers in this defense. It’s not the sexy pick. The Eagles lack safety depth. But they have a proven vet in Anthony Harris and you can make the case that Marcus Epps has at least earned a shot at an expanded role. Weatherford’s inclusion in sub-packages would be a huge get for the Birds and give them a versatile DB who could grow into one of several roles, maintaining the flexibility that they have for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Pick 162, Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
I’ve selected Thornton here before and I’ll do it again. The Eagles just brought in Zach Pascal, so why not keep the trend going and bring in a player in the same mold who can grow behind him and inherit that X spot? Thornton stands at 6’3, 182 lbs, and somehow posted a 4.21 40-yard dash. yeah, no idea how either.
It’s a cheap and cheerful way to bring some size and speed into the WR room for Sirianni to develop and get rid of those pesky banana routes.
Pick 237, Matt Ariaza, P, San Diego State
I think Ariaza is gone by this point, so I’d personally draft him with Pick #15. Siposs was very disappointing last year and only highlighted just how underrated Cameron Johnston was.
Ariaza had 18 punts go further than 60-yards last year and has a cannon embedded in his thigh. I miss a training camp punter battle, so let the chaos begin with the man they call ‘punt god’ putting some pressure on Siposs.
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
