Eagles Seven-Round Mock Draft: Pre-combine edition
If you have followed the articles over the years I’ve been ordered happily writing for Liam, you know this should be mock 8.0 by now. This year, I’ve decided to take a wait and see who is DC approach before diving into to my conspiracy theories about who the Eagles will pick and when.
(All picks and trades done by using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft machine [until TDN is back up])
If you missed Howie’s time during the Combine press conferences, here’s an important detail about Howie’s hopes for the draft (from Mr. Bald Head Cameron‘s article):
“I think there are a lot of good quarterbacks. It’s a quarterback league, and so our assumption is these talented guys — we’re not in that market, so hopefully, they all go, to be honest with you. But they’re talented enough to go.”
Let’s take a look at the top 9:
- Bears
- Texans
- Cardinals
- Colts
- Seahawks
- Lions
- Raiders
- Falcons
- Panthers
One could argue that five teams (Texans, Colts, Seahawks, Raiders, and Panthers) could try to go QB. Colts are poised to move up with the Bears, Texans.. well obviously, Seahawks could look to have Geno bridge to a QB or even have Lock be the shaky bridge if Geno leaves, Raiders lost their Carr, and the Panthers may be in the market for a Carr or may go to the draft.
That leaves four teams for the other studs in the draft. For argument’s sake, lets say the top goes this way:
- Colts (via Bears): Young
- Texans: Stroud
- Cardinals: Carter (new investigation has no bearing on this mock.)
- Bears: Anderson
- Seahawks: Richardson
- Lions: Wilson
- Raiders: Levis
- Falcons: Gonzalez
- Panthers: (let’s assume they get Carr) Murphy
Pick 10: Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
A lot of options here: Porter Jr., Bresee, Jones, Johnson, Branch, and a trade down. But my CB1 (Gonzalez is close) goes here. When asked about his defensive identity, new Eagles defensive coordinator said:
It’s going to be something that’s palpable, whether you’re watching the tape, whether you’re watching at home or whether you’re in the stadium, and a thing that you can feel, Desai has said of a desired identity. Our physicalness, you can feel toughness, you can feel discipline, you can feel a sense of swarming to the ball and finishing.
That is Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon is physical and is a playmaker. He’s not afraid to come down and lay a hit on a runner and he has the speed to match up on the perimeter with any receiver. Learning from Darius Slay will only raise Witherspoon’s floor and provide a seamless transition from Bradberry’s inevitable departure.
I LOVE how well Devon Witherspoon attacks the football. Patient backpedal. Awesome mirror and COD ability. Superb play on the ball. Yeah, I really like this guy so far. pic.twitter.com/nDvhY4idzg
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) February 28, 2023
Trade: Eagles trade #30 (620 points) to the Jets for #43 (470 points) & #74 (220 points)
The Jets weren’t able to snag a QB in the top of the draft despite numerous efforts to trade up, but they land a QB in Tanner McKee that they can sit behind a veteran or the remnants of Zach Wilson while also having a fifth year option.
Pick 43: Steve Avila (G – TCU)
Avila started his career as a center and moved to guard in 2022, primarily at left guard.
Watch him handle a top DT prospect in the draft:
Steve Avila(79) versus Mazi Smith(58).
— Tanner James (@tjdissect) February 16, 2023
Mazi Smith is currently 52nd on the consensus board and 1st in Feldman’s Freaks List.
Steve Avila is currently 67 on the consensus board and the consensus 4th IOL in the 2023 NFL draft class. pic.twitter.com/mBkZQ1DbPT
If Kelce retires and Jurgens moves into the center spot, there could be a large hole at right guard if Seumalo leaves. While he only has 88 career snaps at right guard, his versality will be very attractive to Stoutland and the Eagles could have an interior line of Dickerson, Jurgens, and Avila for a decade.
Pick 62: Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE – Northwestern)
Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat are going to absolutely EAT in Desai’s system. Add in a physical speciman like Adebawore and you may see the 70 sacks be a thing of the past. Adebawore is RAW and may take some time to develop, but his 82″ wingspan cannot be taught.
Adetomiwa Adebawore,6’2 280lb DL that was used as an edge at northwestern but he will be a 3T in the nfl. This guy has ridiculous power and explosiveness to go with long arms which is a deadly combo for a 3T. He showed out at the senior bowl and will light up the combine. pic.twitter.com/XKkaYHIidz
— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) February 25, 2023
Pick 74: Nathaniel Dell (WR – Houston)
Dell is tiny: 5’8″ 163 lbs.
But the dude can FLY. Projected in the 4.3-4.4 range in the 40 yard dash, having a guy like that in the slot will open up the offense even more. Scary for defenses.
https://twitter.com/NFLDraftTA/status/1630012815141486592?s=20
Pick 94: Kendre Miller (RB – TCU)
Yes, two TCU players. Time to wash away the Reagor pain.
There are rumors floating around, mainly from Derrick Gunn, that the Eagles are ready to hand the reigns to Kenneth Gainwell as RB1. If that’s the case, they will need a complimentary RB2 and Miller is perfect for that role. He’s a big boy at 6′ 220 lbs and is powerful. His 40 time won’t impress as he’s projected in the 4.5-4.6 range, but he can move the chains.
Studying the tape of TCU RB Kendre Miller has been an absolute joy. One of the more overlooked RBs in this class, Miller is a physical runner that has good contact balance & unique cutting ability. He plays with patience & sees the field well while running through tacklers. pic.twitter.com/P6ZKLUpxeD
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) February 13, 2023
Pick 221 – Adam Korsak (P – Rutgers)
The 2022 Ray Guy award winner. The Eagles need a guy like this:
Great punt by Rutgers Adam Korsak. Jammie Robinson and Tyrique Stevenson downs it at the 1. Most of these guys will need to carve out a role on ST so this helps pic.twitter.com/pqw6drXh0J
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 4, 2023
Pick 250: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB- UCLA)
DTR would be a fine backup after some development. He needs to learn how to read defenses but his potential is high. If he can develop, the Eagles offense wouldn’t suffer too much if Hurts went down.
ICYMI, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a BIG arm ?@UCLAFootball | #ShrineBowl | #PFNShrine pic.twitter.com/GQ85ZznA4y
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 3, 2023
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire