With only days left until the draft, people are scrambling to get their final mocks in. I am no different. In this final mock of mine, I’m going to let it shine. I recently outlined some trade up & down opportunities for the Eagles and two of them are in play for this draft. Away we go.
TRADE:
Eagles send #15 & #83
Jets send #10
While the Jets aren’t strapped for draft picks, adding another top 100 selection for their (constant) rebuild isn’t a bad thing. Howie calls his old buddy Joey D and simply says “remember when I got you a SB ring AND a GM job?”
Pick 10 – Derek Stingley Jr. – CB – LSU
With a four EDGE rushers & a QB sneaking into the top nine, a top flight CB drops to #10. The Eagles swoop (get it?) in and land who could be the best CB in the draft. Stingley has all the tools to be an “island” corner and allow the rest of the secondary to shift its focus elsewhere. With him and Slay protecting the boundaries, the front seven could finally have enough time to rack up the sacks.
TRADE:
Eagles send #18
Chiefs send #29 & #50
The Chiefs have a glaring hole at WR and it’s not being filled with the signings of Valdes-Scantling & Smith-Schuster. They trade up with the Eagles to select Jameson Williams and replace Tyreek Hill’s speed with someone just as fast, if not faster. Eagles fans will scream and moan that Philly should’ve taken him, but there’s a plan.
Pick 29 – Lewis Cine – S – Georgia
The Eagles desperately need a safety that can can play both single high and in the box proficiently. While his ball skills are still a work in progress, he has the athleticism to excel deep in the secondary. His ability to come up to the line and blitz the quarterback may be the best among the safeties in the class. He’s a violent hitter that will make offenses think twice about running his direction if he’s at the line. His 4.37 speed allows him to keep up with some of the fastest WRs and RBs, which has been sorely needed in the Eagles secondary.
Pick 50 – George Pickens – WR – Georgia
If Pickens didn’t tear his ACL at Spring practice in 2021, he could’ve been the first WR off the board. That’s how good this dude is. Teams will be banking on Jameson Williams still possessing his 4.2ish speed after a more recent ACL injury so there shouldn’t be much concern for Pickens. However, with the influx of other positions in the first round and early second, it pushes Pickens falls into the Eagles’ lap. He’s 6’3″ with 4.47 speed, having that on the outside will surely help Jalen Hurts. His career 2.7% drop rate (via PFF) is the lowest among all WRs in the draft. His physicality will also translate well on a team whose head coach values blocking from his WRs.
Pick 51 – Logan Hall – DL – Houston
I don’t like to put a position on Hall. Is he an EDGE? Yes. Is he a DT? Also yes. Hall is so athletic that he can move across the line in different alignments and still produce. Hall has the length and strength necessary to take on every offensive lineman and win. His 7.25 time on the 3 cone drill showcases his elite bend and change of direction. Adding him to a line that is already supremely athletic and dynamic will only help his growth into a formidable defensive lineman.
TRADE
Eagles trade #101 & #237
Bills trade #89
With LBs coming off the board in a hurry in the third round, Eagles make a move to jump the Titans, who needs an ILB. Bills don’t drop too far and still get their RB target.
Pick 89 – Leo Chenal – LB – Wisconsin
The Eagles need an enforcer in the middle of their defense. One who doesn’t miss tackles. T.J. Edwards has held it down admirably, but he’s still too inconsistent. Chenal is an absolute animal at MIKE and has experience in many different LB positions due to what Wisconsin’s DC Jim Leonhard demands from that position. He had 115 tackles in 2021 and 18.5 of those were for loss. Plugging him into a LB group that has added Haason Reddick and Kyzir White this offseason would lead to a vastly improved unit. His combine measurements mimic that of some guy name Luke Keuchley.
Pick 124 – Jerome Ford – RB – Cincinnati
Between the tackles runner, pass catcher, short yardage specialist. Jerome Ford is the perfect bowling ball complement to Miles Sanders & Kenneth Gainwell. Ford averaged .32 missed tackles per attempt in inside zone runs (per PFF) which was second behind Brian Robinson. The Eagles ran inside zone 48% of the time on run plays last season (per PFF) so Ford would be a perfect fit.
Pick 154 – Chigoziem Okonkwo – TE – Maryland
Despite J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s recent change to dynamic tight end, the Eagles still need a complement to Dallas Goedert. Tyree Jackson is rehabbing a torn ACL after making the (impressive) transition to tight end. Jack Stoll is a decent option on blocking assignments and the occasional target. Richard Rodgers and Noah Togai round out the other alternatives. Not an impressive group. Okonkwo can give the Eagles another receiving threat in 12 personnel as the “F” option and gives flexibility out of the back field as well. Nick Sirianni can get very creative with his schemes with a chess piece like Okonkwo. He’s fun.
Pick 162 – Rasheed Walker – OT – Penn State
Walker is an extremely athletic tackle who has done his most work at left tackle, but can develop into a very good right tackle. With Lane Johnson entering his final years, it would behoove the Eagles to add some competition for his back up. Walker also held his own against top EDGE rushers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo when Penn State faced Michigan, so he’s not one to back down from a challenge.
Pick 162 – Dohnovan West – IOL – Arizona State
West is only 20 years old and considered one of the risers in the IOL group. West’s 10 yard split of 1.74 seconds showcases his elite ability to burst off the line and get ready to block and/or pull. He’s extremely athletic and would be a perfect developmental center for Jeff Stoutland to mold into the Kelce’s heir.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
