The Eagles have had a stellar offseason but it can get better if they nail this year’s draft. Some positions are extremely deep in this year’s draft which is why you are seeing teams trade away next year’s picks as opposed to this year’s.
Philadelphia is in a prime position to draft some instant-impact guys that can help them chase another Lombardi trophy this season or even next year. Here’s my idea of how the Eagles should attack the upcoming draft.
Round 1, pick 22: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
It may not be a big need at the moment but the Eagles could be looking to boost their defensive line. Robinson has an incredibly quick step followed by a unique ability to bend around the blocker. He’s still a bit raw but if you give him a year in this rotation and he could be a lethal weapon.
Adding Robinson to the mix of Sweat, Huff, Smith, Baun, and Graham would help solidify the EDGE group for the Eagles. It would also create a very unique rotation that can help this defense return to its proper form.
Round 2, pick 50: LB Edgerrin Cooper
I know it’s a long shot for the Eagles to make another investment at the LB position but if they are then why not get the best guy in the entire draft?
Cooper’s athleticism leaps out of the page as he possesses such explosive speed along with a nose for the football at the line of scrimmage. He needs to develop a little more when it comes to pass coverage but this would be a home run move for Philly.
TRADE
With the Eagles drawing closer to their next second-round pick, they instead choose to trade back one spot to gain another pick for next year’s draft. They trade the 53rd overall pick and 161st overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the 54th overall pick and a 2025 3rd-round pick.
Following that trade the Eagles see the board moving in a different direction so they pivot to another trade but this time it is with the Denver Broncos. I have them trading away the 54th overall pick and the 172nd overall pick in exchange for Denver’s 79th overall pick and a 2025 2nd-round pick.
Round 3, pick 76: OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
I’ve said many times that Nick Sirianni needs to humble himself and get back to his garden. Well, how about adding a rose to that garden? See what I did there? Time is ticking on Lane Johnson especially with both Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce retiring. While the Eagles set themselves up ahead of time for both of those departures, it’s time that they do the same with Lane’s inevitable retirement.
Rosengarten is a 6’5” monster who can keep pass rushers honest on every play. He’s aggressive and very agile with a Swiss army approach to pass blocking. A year or two under Lane Johnson and Jeff Stoutland can help develop him into a great right tackle.
Round 4, pick 120: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
I can promise you that my selection of McCaffrey has nothing to do with his name and everything to do with his game. While he can’t stretch the field, he is shifty enough to make defenders miss and make the most of his yards after the catch. He also has terrific hands and great concentration.
McCaffrey’s catch radius is phenomenal. It seems as if he is a tactician when the ball is in the air. From one-handed catches to tight windows, Luke has a knack for catching the ball in any situation. The Eagles need that kind of player to be their WR3. The great thing about him is that he can play on the outside or inside which is something that the Eagles favor.
Round 5, pick 171: S Jaylon Carlies, Missouri
The Eagles need safety depth and Carlies has the talent to be that and more. While he will find himself pretty deep on the depth chart, Carlies would have the ability to make an impact on both special teams and defense. He’s a sure tackler with great awareness.
At 6’2”, has also a good disruptor in pass coverage. Carlies has great timing when it comes to breaking up a play and is a good defender in the run game. This would be a sneaky good pick for Philadelphia.
Round 6, pick 210: TE AJ Barner, Michigan
AJ Barner is not the Dallas Goedert replacement that is expected to be on its way at some point soon. Instead, he’s a decent TE2 or TE3 because of his unique blocking skills and I believe his game could expand into something better with the Eagles. He’s a better pass catcher than most people give him credit for. While he isn’t as explosive as Goedert, Barner could still be much more serviceable than Stoll was during his time here. His ceiling could be appealing to the Eagles but I would temper expectations as he may be used to replace Jack Stoll’s snaps due to his blocking ability.
