It’s been an explosive couple of days for the Philadelphia Eagles. Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff headline a flurry of free agency signings that have put the Birds right back at the top of the NFC totem pole. But how have these additions impacted their Draft needs? Here’s a 7-round Mock Draft that takes into account these huge additions.
Round 1, pick 22: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Eagles might well be looking to move on from James Bradberry, and with Avonte Maddox already out of the equation, it makes sense to load up on young CB talents. The idea of a mid-term tandem consisting of Kelee Ringo and Kool-Aid McKinstry is an enticing one.
The Alabama corner tested excellently at the NFL combine and is a highly-instinctive playmaker. He’s active at the catch-point and will generate plenty of PBU’s and picks thanks to his discipline and eye-popping speed that consistently puts him in great positions to get aggressive.
He does lack some long speed, but in this scheme specifically, he’ll often have help over the top that will allow him to do what he does best – get feisty in the year and knock balls out of harms way.
Round 2, pick 50: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
I don’t think there will be an Eagles Mock Draft this year where I don’t select Payton Wilson here. The NC State linebacker absolutely decimated the combine and heads into the Draft as arguably its most dominant linebacker. Wilson is a tackling machine who is just as efficient off the ball as he is playing the run. He would be an instant upgrade at MIKE and give the Eagles another player who they can hang their hat on at the position.
Round 2, pick 53: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Out with the old, and in with the new. The Eagles select Darius Robinson to be their fifth edge to complement Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Bryce Huff, and Nolan Smith, and it’s a great decision. Robinson is an absolute brute who has plenty of power and athleticism at his disposal. He’d be a perfect fit in this defense as a player that can win with strength as opposed to a speed-demon like Huff. It adds a lot of optionality for Fangio to generate pressure without blitzing constantly, as well as adding an insurance plan for if Reddick does move on.
TRADE:
Eagles send pick 171 (23) 2025 4th rounder, Josh Sweat (total pick value: 131)
Texans send: Pick 59 (310)
There’s a chance that Josh Sweat is dealt long before the NFL Draft, but the signing of Bryce Huff likely pushed his value down, with teams now certain that the Eagles will be looking to offload.
With that said, the Texans need help on the EDGE and Sweat can come in on a cheap deal and punch in some big-time performances for a team only a few pieces away from becoming a perennial AFC threat in 2024.
Round 2, pick 59: Beau Brade, S, Maryland
The Eagles did bring back CJGJ, but Beau Brade is a versatile DB who makes his paydirt in the box. This should ease some of the linebacker concerns and give the Eagles a player who they can move around in a defense that demands and rewards versatility.
Brade has a lot of ‘Honey Badger’ in his play and is a Safety who is unafraid of contact. He plays with a nasty streak and will deliver some hefty hits. He could be the perfect player to develop under Gardner-Johnson, giving the Eagles some optionality at the position when Sydney Brown returns and completing a young group with an exceptionally high upside.
Round 3, pick 98: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
The Eagles could look to move this pick, but if they can nab a tackle to develop for a few years, they likely will. Rosengarten stands at 6’5, 308 lbs and is a freak athlete. While he does lack strength which can be a hindrance, he’s incredibly agile and makes up for it with an intent to push to the second level with haste when playing the run. He’s a perfect pupil for Stoutland University.
Round 5 pick 161: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
The Eagles can drop the younger McCaffrey brother in behind DeVante Parker for a year and utilize his impressive versatility. He has a lot of CMC running through his veins, with sharp cuts and an ability to make plays in the open field.
While he does lack top-end speed, he’s shifty enough to make space in the shorter areas of the field which is something the Eagles have really been missing over the last few years. He also possesses a very soft pair of hands which is more than can be said fo-
Round 5 pick 172: Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
Holker will likely be another mainstay in these Mock Drafts. He’d be a great pass-catcher to work in behind Dallas Goedert and someone who had 767 yards to his name last season. Aside from his viral combine moment, he’s one of the more accomplished receiving tight ends in this class and
He’s a former team captain (so checks that box) and while he’s not going to be exploding down the seam for big gains, he’s come one that can provide a soft pair of hands over the middle as a check-down option and a player who can hold his own in tight spaces.
Round 6 pick 210: Blake Watson, RB, Memphis
The Eagles added Saquon Barkley to the backfield through free agency, but complimenting the addition with a developmental back with the agility and toughness of Watson would be a wise idea. He’s very much following in the footsteps of former Memphis RB Kenny Gainwell as a dual-threat back and someone that brings a 4.5 40-yard dash to the table.
Watson won’t be in a position to take carries away from Barkley or Gainwell right away, but as a back who thrives in space and can turn a dead play into a home-run in a heartbeat with some lethal speed, he’d be a fun addition to this offense along with McCaffrey.
AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File
