All the NFL draft speculation can go the way of the infamous HitchBOT. Throw all those rumors in a pile of stinky trash and dead leaves, right next to a thousand mock draft boards.
Why? Because it’s finally time for general manager Howie Roseman to roll up his sleeves and add talent to the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll officially go on the clock around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 assuming he doesn’t make a board-altering trade prior to giving the card to NFL commish Roger Goodell. Everything is on the table for the Eagles, including the outside-the-box idea of taking a franchise-changing running back in Round 1.
No one knows what Roseman is going to do. He has talked at length about the need to take a “unique” player, no matter the position.
Roseman said: “I think that there are so few unique players in any draft that if you start picking by position and not based on the quality of the talent, then you really get a chance — so if you pick by position and you pick a player who’s not any good, then it’s not a good pick anyway.”
What we do know is how many picks the Eagles have and what history suggests they might do. And rumors, plenty of rumors. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
How Many Picks do the Eagles have?
The Eagles own six total picks in the 2023 NFL Draft:
Round 1 (No. 10, via the New Orleans Saints),
Round 1 (No. 30),
Round 2 (No. 62),
Round 3 (No. 94),
Round 7 (No. 219, via the Minnesota Vikings),
Round 7 (No. 248).
*The Carolina Panthers own the No. 1 overall pick.
How to watch the NFL Draft
ESPN’s live coverage of Round 1 kicks off at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27; Rounds 2-3 at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28; and Round 4-7 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 29.
For fans wanting a Philadelphia flavor, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be hosting LIVE watchalongs over on our YouTube channel throughout the weekend, running in conjunction with the TV coverage. We’ll be running giveaways and giving fans all the best Eagles-based analysis and takes on the weekend’s action.
2022 NFL Draft Results
+ DT Jordan Davis, Round 1, No. 13 (they traded up from No. 15)
+ C Cam Jurgens, Round 2, No. 51
+ LB Nakobe Dean, Round 3, No. 83
+ LB Kyron Johnson, Round 6, No. 181
+ TE Grant Calcaterra, Round 6, No. 198
Short History at Pick No. 10
+ The last time the Eagles picked at No. 10 was in 2021 when they traded up from No. 12 to steal WR DeVonta Smith away from the New York Giants.
+ Prior to that, the Eagles selected RB Keith Byars at No. 10 in the 1986 draft which was the last time they used a first-round pick on a running back.
+ Howie Roseman has traded up in three of the previous four drafts, including a questionable reach move in 2019 to take LT Andre Dillard. He stayed put in 2020 and (unfortunately) walked away with WR Jalen Reagor.
What will the Eagles do at 10?
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson put out a last-minute mock draft that nets the Eagles a perfect board: Bijan Robinson at No. 10 and Nolan Smith at No. 30; it seems impossible to think either guy will be there at those spots but let’s hope it does work out that way. That would be an amazing haul.
Wilson wrote the following: “But the team hosted Robinson on a top-30 visit, and while that doesn’t guarantee anything, it is a sign they’re interested. And they should be because Robinson is special — and he’d be a perfect fit in the Eagles’ offense.”
There are also rumors (via Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell) saying the Eagles are interested in trading up for Jalen Carter. They might have to get to No. 6 to get the Georgia edge rusher while hoping Seattle doesn’t grab him at No. 5. The consolation prize in that scenario would be Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.
How about taking a receiver in the first round? Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reported the Eagles are “making a late push” to grab Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the dynamic playmaker out of Ohio State at No. 10. He is widely considered the best receiver in this year’s draft class and would be a dream fit in the slot for Philly.
Meanwhile, NBC Sports’ Peter King mocked Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith at No. 10. He was told by a trusted source that the “Eagles love Smith” and see him as a potential replacement for Brandon Graham. Remember, Smith electrified scouts and executives at the NFL Scouting Combine when the 238-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds.
One more name to consider: Christian Gonzalez, the talented cornerback out of Oregon. Yes, the Eagles have two Pro Bowl-caliber starters there in Darius Slay and James Bradberry but this would be a forward-thinking move. ESPN’s Matt Miller mocked Gonzalez to Philly at No. 10, adding that the Eagles could trade back with a quarterback-needy team and still grab him later in the first round.
Lastly, there is the curious case of Bijan Robinson. Everyone knows the Eagles don’t normally take running backs in Round 1 (see: Keith Byars in 1986) … but this kid is a generational talent, plus he actually wants to wear a midnight green jersey. Here, let him explain:
AP Photo/Butch Dill, File
