If Howie Roseman wants to make a splash like he has in the last few drafts with a move up, a handful of options could be great fits with the Birds, especially at premium positions. Howie has focused on drafting premium positions with his higher draft capital since his return as the Eagles‘ GM.
Outside of 2018, when he selected a Tight End with a top 50 pick, Dallas Goedert, all of his selections have been used on the trenches, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, or Cornerbacks. This year, there is a perceived need at Tight End with Dallas Goedert possibly being on the move via trade, so maybe TE could be in play again. The trade of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson also has many speculating that this is the year he will finally select a Safety in Round One.
The safer bet, no pun intended, if they move up, is to bank on offensive or defensive linemen, but Howie broke that mold last year and could be a wild card again this draft.
Should the Eagles move up?
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon has a lot of raw talent. He is a quick and powerful force inside, penetrating the backfield and consistently creating pressure. Derrick uses leverage well and has a rampant bull rush. Harmon sheds blocks quickly, is great in pursuit and is a reliable tackler.
A versatile player who can contribute in week one, his toolbox floweth over. He can be seen assaulting OLs with one of the best interior pass rushes in the class. He has improved his draft stock by winning against top talent and constantly beating double teams. He could require a move up to 22 for the Eagles, to get in front of the Packers, who have a need at DT and interest in the Oregon product. Word of a minor medical concern has come out this week, so maybe the Birds could have a chance.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nolen is a versatile defensive lineman who can play both NT and DT. He faces double teams as often as Jalen Carter and wins more than he loses. He has an explosive first step and a nonstop motor to boot. Walter is a pocket killer and a nightmare for opposing Quarterbacks, consistently collapsing pockets and disrupting both the pass and run lanes. He would be a force against the run in week one and has some thunderous upside.
Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Williams is explosive off the snap and has a repertoire of pass rushes. He sets the edge well, gets off blocks, and plays all along the line. Mykel diagnoses plays quickly and brings a lot of traits to the field. For such a young player, 20 years old, he has an expansive toolbox of skills.
Williams is a player if you trust the traits, around whom you build a defense. He is a Blue Chip, 1st round, top-tier prospect. He likely would require a move-up, but he may be worth the investment. It will be fascinating to see where he is drafted since most teams interested are weighing production versus potential in their assessment and ranking on the draft board.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
A twitchy, fluid, lean, mean, ballhawk machine! Will plays off receivers, processes plays quickly, & has BIG-play ability. Johnson had nine career picks at Michigan, 3 of which were returned for TDs, and is a YAC Killer part deux. Quinyon is my original YAC killer, but Will allowed 3 yards after the catch per reception and deserves his flowers in the conversation and as a round-one talent. A physical, versatile, shutdown corner with CB1 vibes! If he falls in the draft, Howie could be looming. He would make an immediate impact playing opposite Quinyon.
Jalon Walker, Edge, OLB, Georgia
I have Walker as a top 5 player in this draft, and if he fell within range to move up for, I would attack. Jalon is fundamentally sound and disciplined against the run, plays solidly coverage, and is developing into an elite pass-rusher. His explosiveness and lower body bend are rare at this position, and those elite intangibles, coupled with his instincts and rapid processing, will be desirable for teams early in the draft. The athleticism and ability to mirror QBs and attack with a violent cross-chop and elusive swim move will give offensive coordinators many sleepless nights.
Should the Eagles stand pat?
Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
Malaki sheds blocks and creates space with aggressive hand usage. He hits ball carriers with bad intentions and is always in pursuit. Starks has shown his ability to read a QB’s eyes to get into the correct position and make a stop. His excellent range, quick feet, fluid hips, ball skills, and tracking ability are why he could be the first safety off the board and another first-rounder drafted from Georgia’s feared defense.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Donovan is uber-athletic and twitchy. His bend and flexibility in attacking off the Edge are the first things you notice when watching film. He may have the best bend I have seen all year in this class. Ezeiruaku has a big bag of pass-rushing tools and executes them artistically. He closed out his College stay impressively by totaling 19 pressures and six sacks in his last two games.
Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Jackson played OT in college but could take the Right Guard spot abandoned by Mekhi Becton and be a long-term answer at RT when Lane Johnson hangs up the cleats for Philadelphia. His versatility and athleticism make Donovan an intriguing option for Stoutland University. The Eagles’ offensive line coach has shown his ability to get the most out of his players and transition them from outside to inside. Jackson could be their next project.
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Zabel may be the best Center in college football, and has shown the versatility to play Tackle. He could also be someone Stoutland believes is an option at Right Guard. He has the verstatility to play all over the line, backing up Jurgens and the Tackles, and training for a job inside, could make Grey a player high on the Eagles’ draft board.
Should the Eagles trade down?
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Taylor is a chain mover and can often create mismatches over the middle. He has a knack for getting open, provides strong YAC potential, is physical at the catch-point and shows off above-average hands. He had a 1.8% drop rate in college, which should highlight that upside.
In the right scheme, he will flourish. Mason showed off a more advanced route tree at the Senior Bowl than during his time with LSU, pushing his draft stock higher. He is one of my two favorite tight ends for the Eagles in this draft cycle. Mason could go as early as the 32nd pick, but at the least likely requires a significant move up to acquire.
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
An Alabama transfer who demonstrates elite coverage skills and instincts, Amos exhibits explosive breaks, mirrors receivers well, has good closing speed, and uses his body in a physical manner. Trey has proven to be disruptive at the catch point, as evidenced by his 9 PBUs this year and an elite 18% PBU rate over the last 2 seasons. He sheds blocks well while pursuing ball-carriers and has performed well against top-tier talent.
Oluwafemi ‘Femi’ Oladejo, Edge, UCLA
Femi is a first-year edge having previously played linebacker and the transition went better than anyone could have imagined. His high-level run-stopping and edge-setting ability make him a home-run hit and his closing speed is a cheat code.
Oladejo’s motor runs hot and he packs a punch. Femi has all the traits the Eagles desire at the position and he will only improve as he adds to his pass-rushing repertoire. Femi gives off Jalyx Hunt vibes, not just because of changing positions, but attitude and size. He is 6’3, 260, and built to be a future star in the league. Femi is another player who could turn heads in the first round, despite many mock simulators suggesting he is a third or fourth-round talent. He is that good.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Maxwell is fast! Hairston shocked everyone with his 4.29 40-yard dash and also showed an impressive vertical with a 39.5-inch jump. His footwork during athletic drills was particularly impressive.
With the recent release of Darius Slay, the Eagles could well be interested in adding another ball-hawking, aggressive, athletic, cost-effective corner to the team, joining Quinyon and Cooper in the Eagles’ No-Fly-Zone.
Hairston has the skills to cover space, and the agility to change direction quickly while displaying an elite back-pedal, and mirroring receivers. He fights for every ball and allows no easy receptions, displaying plenty of confidence which would be a perfect fit for Philadelphia.
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