Just a quick final Eagles mock draft prior to the start of the NFL Combine this week and what I want to see from each of the picks.
First, here are 10 assumptions I am using on the Howie and the Eagles:
- The Eagles will be in the middle of the league in cap space. While much improved, assuming another $10-15M is freed up will only put them in the mid-to-upper $20Ms in effective cap.
- Linebackers and safeties will be the easiest, cheapest, and best positions to address in free agency.
- Conversely, wide receiver and cornerback will be the toughest, and most expensive, to address in free agency.
- Despite continued noise, the Eagles will go with Hurts and not make a splash trade for a QB like Wilson.
- Howie said they will “surround Hurts with really good players”. While he did not specifically say skill positions, we can expect they will be an investment area.
- Sirianni and Gannon returning will have some increased input into positional value
but it will not change Howie’s prioritization at the top of the draft (sorry, no Lloyd or Dean)and Howie begins looking at LBs with a higher priority (I was gladly wrong here originally and updated post Howie’s Combine comments) - While not an immediate need in 2022, interior defensive line and running back are emerging needs in 2023 due to age and cost.
- Howie will continue the trend of the past two years of drafting highly athletic players that test well.
- High character was a focus last year and the Eagles will continue to draft for leadership and character (unlike the Cowboys).
- While impossible to mock with any accuracy, Howie will always move picks and I am assuming he will try to turn one of the 1sts into added capital next year.
So, now the mock…
R1-15 EDGE Travon Walker Georgia
An Eagles need aligns with the deepest position in the draft. Four EDGEs have already been taking by 15 and when the actual draft comes, I don’t think Travon will last anywhere close to pick 15. He has all the talent but didn’t have gaudy stats at Georgia (13.8% true pass set win rate, 5 sacks and 34 pressures in 381 dropbacks). But he has all the talent and will light up the Combine – the clip of him running down Alabama’s Agiye Hall from across the field is all I needed to see. He did drop into coverage 26 times so if Gannon wants to keep dropping linemen, Travon can do it.
What I’m interested in at the Combine: Explosiveness and shuttle
I am more interested in how high Travon tests, not that I have any concern areas. And then, where he starts getting talked about in the draft.
R1-16 CB Trent McDuffie Washington
I continue to be higher on McDuffie than most Eagles fans but I will stop mocking him when he goes ahead of the Eagles picks.
Last year the Eagles took the highest graded zone corner in the draft (Zech) and McDuffie is one of the best in the draft with an 82.2 zone grade. And of the top 30 graded zone corners, he is the ONLY one also with a top man cover grade (also at 80.0). This scheme flexibility along with being the solid tackler the Eagles require makes him a great fit.
The only negative thing said about McDuffie is his size, but he is 5’11” (unofficially) and size doesn’t show up as an issue on film. He will be another testing freak with his 41.5 inch vertical jump last June being 96th percentile for corners.
What I’m interested in at the Combine: Overall RAS percentile
McDuffie could test well in everything and be a top percentile corner in everything but height.
Trade:
Eagles receive R1-28, R3-92, and a 2023 2nd
Green Bay receives R1-19 and R5-164
Green Bay selects WR Chris Olave.
Green Bay is one of the most active 1st round trade up teams, trading up in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and do so again to add offensive talent in an effort to keep Rodgers. And the Eagles get an extra day 2 pick this year and next.
R1-28: WR Jahan Dotson PSU
Dotson has the best drop rate in the draft and can be productive at any level, grading above 80 at each depth of target. Expected to run in the 4.3s, he is another highly athletic and reliable receiver that will, at worst, immediately upgrade the Eagles at slot receiver.
What I’m interested in at the Combine: Speed, vertical
Dotson will be fast and while 40 time is not a be-all-end-all, I am interested to see how fast he is. He also possesses the best high school long jump in the draft class and interested in what he does on vertical.
R2-51: S Lewis Cine Georgia
The coaching staff’s influence shows up and Gannon gets the safety he needs. Cine played deep safety on 65% of his snaps but has the recognition and closing speed to attack the run. Of safeties in this class, he is the only one to grade above 77 deep and in the box and above 80 against the run and in coverage.
What I’m interested in at the Combine: Positional drills
Cine won’t blow people away on his 40 time but his reaction skills could be elite (W drill, shuttle, 3 cone)
R3-81: LB Brian Asamoah Oklahoma
Maybe I’ll look foolish in April, but the Eagles aren’t taking Lloyd or Dean in the 1st – they like TJ and Davion and the LBs played better once TJ got more snaps and Davion has all the upside. But Asamoah in the 3rd is a steal. He is another that will test extremely well and I expect him to not be available at 81 after the Combine.
What I’m interested in the Combine: Agility
Asamoah is rumored to run in the 4.4s and if he shows off in agility drills, he will move up boards a lot form his current ADP.
R3-92: DT Neil Farrell LSU
The Eagles need to continue to invest on the interior as Cox is aging and Hargrave is entering the last year of his contract (I assume he will be extended). Farrell is one of only two interior defenders (Logan Hall is the other) to rank in the top five in both run stop rate (5th at 11.9%) and pressure rate (2nd at 10.5%).
What I’m interested in the Combine: Broad and vertical jump
Weight (surprisingly) is the most correlated Combine measurement with NFL success for IDL and Farrell will be in the 90th percentile at 325 lbs. For Farrell, it will be important to see how his power tests.
R4-121: OG/C Dylan Parham Memphis
Parham is a guy I liked but wouldn’t have put on a mock due to his weight (285 lbs) but then he shows up at the Senior Bowl at 313. One widely held view I hate is that the Eagles should try to replicate what Kelce was (undersized and mobile) – Kelce is the 9th best draft pick when looking at value over expected and you cannot try to replicate an outlier like that. The Eagles could and should be interested in Parham – he played LG, RT, and RG at Memphis, took snaps at center at the Senior Bowl, and has the 3rd best pass block grade among the projected prospects. He gives the Eagles depth at G and has time to develop into Kelce’s replacement if needed.
What I’m interested in the Combine: Overall RAS percentile
Parham maintaining power and agility with his new 30 pounds, which he looked to have done at the Senior Bowl, is important. An ex-TE and sprinter, he has the ability to test well.
R5-152 EDGE Jeffrey Gunter Coastal Carolina
In the late rounds, the Eagles draft more Edges, LBs, and DBs than any other position and they go back to Coastal for another highly athletic EDGE. And by athletic, I mean he could be an absolute freak.
What I’m interested in the Combine: Overall RAS percentile
He should test in the 90th percentile in explosion and strength tests
R5-160 RB Kennedy Brooks Oklahoma
I just wrote an article here on what college traits translate to the NFL for RBs and Brooks is one of my favorite day 3 RB options. He has the 7th best elusiveness rate and 2nd highest explosive rush rate among RB prospects. A bigger back that gives the Eagles some depth to develop in Sanders last contract year.
What I’m interested in the Combine: 3 cone and 40 time
Brooks isn’t going to be the best tester due to his size but does he hit the low 4.5s and how does he look on change of direction. We know he will be tougher to bring down.
R6-204: TE Charlie Kolar Iowa St
If you have read my other stuff, you know I would take punter Jordan Stout here but Howie won’t. I’m not sure Kolar is the right or best choice, but I am putting him here. First, Sirianni has connections to Iowa St. Second, Kolar is a big target with great hands and a decent blocker. Third, he is hysterical in interviews.
What I’m interested in the Combine: Speed, agility
If something holds him back it is his overall athleticism. Would love to see his agility and speed – neither will light up RAS, but testing better than expectations will do a lot for him.