When I revisited the 2021 draft for this article there were two things I learned that I hope to remember AND utilize before I finalize my 2022 mock in April.
One: Positions matter: When a team continually shows you who they are, believe them! Howie, nor the Eagles, have drafted a LB in the first round since Jerry Robinson in 1978. They haven’t drafted a Cornerback in round one since Lito Sheppard in 2002. Despite how much the fans want a top tier thumping LB or a clear cut shutdown first round corner, the Eagles have simply not invested draft capital into the position.
Ex: I mocked a CB in round 2 pick 37 (Eric Stokes) and a LB in rd 3 pick 70 (Jamin Davis) The Eagles selected Landon Dickerson in round two, and Milton Williams in round 3. Both picks stayed true to their overall core belief to build through the lines. Despite LB being perceived as a HUGE need, they didnt select a LB until the 7th rd in Patrick Johnson.
Two: Drafting a long term replacement is rarely their strategy: Drafting to fill an immediate need, yes. Drafting a long term answer for a position (like a C to replace Kelce) is not usually in the cards.
EX: The Eagles had an immediate need last year at WR, and drafted Devonta Smith round one. A long term replacement for Kelce, (I mocked C Jimmy Morrissey) was not addressed. Yet another perceived long term need, CB, wasn’t added until round 4, in Zech McPhearson.
Looking back on my projections, the rankings of the players weren’t bad. Picking the Eagles selections, was spotty at best. I was hoping to atleast be more accurate with the positions they drafted. Which brings me back to my intial statement. Positions matter. When someone shows you who they are time and time again, believe them.
So, I plan on taking all of the above into account going forward. The only problem in doing that this year, is that they have 3 first round picks. So if they were ever going to draft a LB or a CB in round one, this would be the year. Sadly, I will more than likely, disregard my own conclusions for this one unsual season. I will hope for a a corner to be drafted in round one, and I will hope for better success mocking their draft.
As always, thank you for reading
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My 2021 draft rankings for each position, and all Eagles mock, is below if you have interest.
3/1/22
Welcome to the 2021 NFL
April 4, 2021
Much like last year, the top end of the WR draft class includes two Alabama wide outs. Last year it was Ruggs and Jeudy, This draft it is DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is explosive in everything he does and was outperforming DeVonta prior to his regular season ending injury. DeVonta, the Heisman trophy winner, had record breaking stats all season long, and was putting on a show in the Championship game prior to his injury that kept him out the second half. The biggest concern with Smith is his size and concern for his health during a full season. There is also Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU who lots of scouts are projecting to be a generational talent. The Eagles should try and move up for Chase, he changes the entire outlook at the position for years to come. Waddle and Smith are both really good, but will probably leave the Eagles still needing another WR within a year or two.
There are so many needs on the Eagles team that this season will be difficult to project which positions they draft, much less the actual the player. It is also challenging due to the team having a new head coach and all new coordinators. Defensively, does the new DC, run cover 2 and value LB more than the Eagles have? Does the new OC and Head Coach Sirianni run an offense similar to what they did in Indianapolis or does he draft to build the system that he wants to run?
CB, WR, LB, C, S, DT, OL, RB, TE -BOLD are players I feel underrated at each position
The positions aren’t in any order, but the prospects at each position are.
Offense:
QB- Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, mid round favorite Kellen Mond
WR — Ja’Marr Chase(possibly a generational talent, I would trade up for him), Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith , Rashad Bateman, Kadarius Toney, Terrace Marshall Jr. , Elijah Moore, Rondale Moore, Amari Rodgers, Amon-Ra St Brown
RB- Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, Kenneth Gainwell (would be a great fit with Eagles), Javonte Williams, Trey Sermon, my mid round favorite Chuba Hubbard, Khalil Herbert, Michael Carter, Jermar Jefferson
TE- There is Kyle Pitts, then everyone else. Pat Freiermuth, Brevin Jordan, Tommy Tremble, Mason, Hunter Long and my late round favorite Cary Angeline
C- Creed Humphrey , Landon Dickerson, Josh Myers, Quinn Meinerz , Drake Jackson, Kendrick Green, Trey Hill, Michael Menet and late rounder Jimmy Morrissey(could be another 6th round C for the Eagles).
OG — Alijah Vera Tucker, Wyatt Davis Trey Smith, Ben Cleveland, Deonte, Brown, Mid Rd to late round favorites, Aaron Banks, Robert Hainsey and late round favorite Jack Anderson
OT- Penei Sewell and everyone else, Christian Darrisaw, Rashawn Slater, Teven Jenkins, Liam Eichenberg , Dillon Radunz, Samuel Cosmi, Alex Leatherwood, Jalen Mayfield
Defense:
CB — Caleb Farley, Jaycee Horn, Patrick Surtain II, Greg Newsome II , Elijah Molden, Eric Stokes, Kelvin Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Assante Samuel Jr. (I would trade up in round two to draft Jr.) , Tay Gowan, Zech McPhearson, Tyson Campbell and mid round favorite, Paulson Adebo
LB — Micah Parsons(Best LB in the draft, an argument could be made for the Eagles to draft him at 12, Howie would never), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Zaven Collin, Nick Bolton, Jabril Cox, Jamin Davis, Barron Browining, Chazz Surratt, Dylan Moses, Pete Werner, and later round favorite Tony Fields II
S — Richie Grant, Trevon Moehrig, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Javon Holland, Andre Cisco, Jamar Johnson, Talanoa Hufanga, Ar’Darius Washington, Caden Sterns, Jacoby Stevens and my favorite late rd choice, Paris Ford
DE — Kwity Paye, Azeez Ojulari , Gregory Rousseau, Jaelan Phillips, Jayson Oweh. Carlos Basham Jr. , Dayo Odeyingbo, Quincy Roche, Shaka Toney, and late rd Jonathan Cooper
DT — Christian Barmore, Levi Onwuzurike, Daviyon Nixon, Marlon Tuipulotu, Jay Tufele , Alim McNeill, Tommy Togiai, Milton Williams and Jaylen Twyman.
The Eagles, armed with 11draft picks, need to hit on a lot of players with upside and starting ability at many positions. I would be surprised if they end up using all 11 picks as I expect Howie to be active with trades, moving around the board. I think they end up using 9 of their 11 picks. This is a rebuild, re-tool year, but they also plan on competing and believe they could make a run at the division, or at the very least 9–10 wins with a playoff appearance.
Eagles Mock , without trades AKA Howie standing pat: (which he will not do)
***Indicates team and draft position***
RD1 12- Devonta Smith WR Alabama
***Drafted by Eagles, 10th overall
RD2 37- Eric Stokes CB Georgia
***Drafted by GB #29 overall
RD3 70- Jamin Davis LB Kentucky
***Drafted by Redskins 19th overall
RD3 84- Deonte Brown G Alabama
***Drafted by Panthers pick 193
RD4 123- Tay Gowan CB Central Fl (hard to rank draft pos, opted out 2020)
***Drafted by Cardinals with pick 223
Ended up on Eagles via trade with AZ for Z Ertz
RD5 150- Jaylen Twyman DT Pittsburgh
***Drafted by Vikings pick 199
RD6 189- Jimmy Morrissey C Pittsburgh
***Drafted by Texans pick 230
RD6 224-Jonathan Cooper DE Ohio State
***Drafted by Broncos pick 239
RD6 225- Tre Norwood S Oklahoma
***Drafted by Steelers Pick 245
RD7 234- Cary Angeline TE North Carolina State
*** Un Drafted
Signed off waivers by Eagles, since released
RD7 240- Khyiris Tonga DT BYU
***Drafted by Bears pick 250
David
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