Round 1 (pick 10): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Pick 15 and 83 to Jets for pick 10
The why behind the what: The Eagles value the lines more than any other team in the NFL. They specifically love interior pressure. Drafting DT is not only their core belief, but in 2022, it is aligned with a need as well. Cox is most likely done with the Eagles after this year. Javon Hargrave is 29,and barring an extension, is in the last year of his contract. For a team that values DT as much as Philly does, this is a no brainer. Run, don’t walk, that card up to Commissioner Goodell.
Davis stands 6’6 340 lbs. He has an enormous big boned, broad shouldered framed man that fills any gap you want to put him in. As a four year starter for the Bull Dogs, he was primarily used as a nose tackle in their 3–4 scheme. He flourished his Senior year being utilized in a rotation where he was on the field a little less than previous seasons. (something the Eagles do as well)
Jordan is a max effort guy who chases down runners with his unbelievable speed for a man his size. He posted a stunning 4.78 40 time at the combine.
His teammates love his good natured personality, and his smile is infectious. Going back to Jerome Brown, and more recently Fletcher Cox, the Eagles have done well bringing in gregarious, fun loving, high motor DT’s that keep a locker room joyous and motivated. Davis could potentially fill that role.
Round 1 (pick 28): Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Pick 18 to Packers for picks 28 and 92
Last year the Eagles went back to back players from the National Champion Alabama team, this year they do the same. Only this time with Georgia. Cine, pronounced SEEN.
Lewis is dominating and violent versus the run. He has improved year after year and will likely continue do so as he is well known for being a student of the game. Cine’s talent that is on the rise, and he will only get stronger as he matures. Lewis is a perfect fit for the Eagles backfield. He also checks off the durability box, as he has played in all 39 games over the past 3 seasons. With McLeod off to Indy, he fills an immediate need.
*If Cine was gone at this point, I would expect David Ojabo to be the selection. Maybe even in another small trade to move down a few spots.
Round 2 (pick 51): George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Make it a hat trick! When I did this mock, it didn’t even occur to me that I had just selected three Georgia Bulldogs back, to back, to back. Once I realized it, I thought I should change one of these picks. Instead, I stayed true to my evaluations and what I would do if I were the Eagles GM for a draft. So while it is admittedly odd and unique to draft 3 players from the same school in succession, I am steadfast in my approach.
Pickens would probably be long gone, somewhere in the first round, if not for an injury in 2021. At 6’3, his tall, long frame gives him an advantage in winning contested catches. During his two years as a starter for Georgia, he demonstrated above average route running, the concentration to catch balls away from his body, and the skill set to be a future number one WR in the NFL. Throughout his career Pickens has shown the ability to be the go to receiver when it is time to move the chains. 71.1 percent of his catches resulted in a first down. If I am Howie Roseman, I submit this card confidently, and begin a friendly rivalry in the locker room between the Alabama and Georgia alumni.
Round 3 (pick 89): Cole Strange, OL , Chattanooga
Pick 92,162, and 237 to Bills for pick 89 and 168
I desperately tried to find another Bulldog to draft, but alas it was not meant to be.
Strange could groom for a year under Kelce, if the Eagles view him as a Center, while he spends the 2022 season as an all purpose back up along the O Line. Cole brings aggression, and the work ethic the Eagles demand from the position. He has a lean, muscular frame that gives him a speed advantage in the trenches, which requires Cole to rely on technique more than bulk. The size is something he can add to if a team sees fit. He is one of my favorite players in this draft class.
*If Strange is already selected at this point, I would go the same position, and take Nebraska center Cam Jurgens. I have seen a lot of Jason Kelce’s style of play in his game. I struggled choosing between the two. I would feel confident selecting whichever is available, as they’re both great talents.
Round 3 (pick 101): Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama
Brian is one of the best in his class at picking up yards after contact. He is also a punishing finisher. He uses his strong legs and 6’1 225 lb frame to gain those tough, short yards when needed on 3rd and 4th down. Brian would be a great rotational back, and possibly Miles Sanders future replacement. Alabama HC, Nick Saban, stated Brian is an outstanding special teams player. That is something the Eagles need to start paying more attention to.
Round 4 (pick 124): Jeffrey Gunter, Edge, Coastal Carolina
The Eagles drafted Gunter’s mentor last year, fellow Coastal Carolina Chanticleer, Tarron Jackson. This year they bring in the student.
Gunter has the traits Eagles GM Howie Roseman seemingly looks for in an Edge rusher. Jeffrey has the bend, long arms, closing speed and a nose for creating a turnover, ( 8 forced fumbles the past seasons) something that Eagles defense needs badly, and that Howie covets.
Jeffrey has a lot of the tools that can be honed by NFL coaching. Gunter played in 48 of 49 games for , so durability should not be an issue. Adding Jeffrey in a rotation of pass rushers that include Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Derek Barnett will give him time to be coached up, and learn on the job.
Gunter has been very open regarding his struggles with depression, and the Eagles are at the forefront of the NFL in assisting players (Lane Johnson and Brandon Brooks) with issues regarding mental health. Philadelphia would benefit from his pass rush, but it could be a safe landing spot for Gunter to flourish as well.
Round 5 (pick 154): Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
The Eagles want another pass catching TE to pair with Goedert, and with project Tyree Jackson out for a large part of the season, they will probably be drafting one.
Cole Turner has proven to be a pass catching wonder. He lined up outside or in the slot in Nevada’s offense. In Philadelphia, he would be used strictly as an offensive weapon, as he has a ways to go before he would be trusted to block.
Turner does have good hands, ball tracking ability, and wins most 50/50 balls. At 6’6, he’s another big body who gets the separation needed to be a reliable target for Hurts.
Round 5 (pick 166): Jordan Stout, P, Penn State
I don’t watch tape on punters, and like @GregHartPA opined “I can picture how miserable you would be just holding a stopwatch, looking up into the sun, counting “One Mississippi…” and he is right.
The importance of special teams and flipping the field with a great punter is an often overlooked stat. I will let him make the case for punter, and specifically why it should be “Punt God” Jordan Stout.
Gods, Lions, and National Champions: In the Year of the Punter, Jordan Stout Stands Above – The…
The 2022 punter draft class could be one of the best in the past 20 years. Here I take a deep dive into the four top…phillycovercorner.com
Round 5 (pick 168): Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
It would be an absolute steal if Jobe falls this far in the draft. I have my doubts that he will, but this would be a huge GIFT for Philadelphia.
Jobe played both man and zone corner for the Crimson Tide in 2021. He uses his hands to disrupt pass plays and is always attacking the ball. Josh has also proven to be a good run defender who reads plays well, and hits hard. His aggressive, down hill style play against the run, has lead to some violent collisions. Josh suffered a turf toe injury that required surgery in December, which is the only reason there is hope of selecting him here at pick 168.
The 2022 Draft:
9 players
4 Defense, 4 Offense and 1 Special Teams
DL- Jordan Davis
S- Lewis Cine
WR- George Pickens
OL- Cole Strange
RB- Brian Robinson Jr
Edge- Jeffrey Gunter
TE- Cole Turner
P- Jordan Stout
CB- Josh Jobe
I could have posted 10 clips for every prospect I selected. If you’d like more insight into these players, do yourself a favor and go follow Mat Alkire on twitter. In the search field type @mattalkire Jordan Davis (the players name) and you will find countless clips of most every college prospect.
If you enjoyed the Eagles taking a punter, Greg Hart is your guy. Join him and his cult of punter fans @greghartpa
He is the authority on the topic, has the best articles explaining the importance of drafting one. The stats he shares prove the difference they make in a game. I know, I was skeptical too. Just read one article, and you will be convinced as well. It is that compelling.
As always, thank you for reading.
David
follow me @PHLEagleNews
4/19/22