So much has been written but I wanted to briefly recognize the Damar Hamlin situation. As a Pitt grad, I’ve always been a fan of his. We all underestimate the danger in this game and prayers are out to him and his family for this horrible injury. If you want to provide some support, please see his Chasing M’s Foundation’s GoFundMe page here https://www.gofundme.com/f/mxksc-the-chasing-ms-foundation-community-toy-drive
I absolutely love doubling up on positions in a draft but just to get it out of the way, these aren’t truly serious mocks where the Eagles would really go all in on a specific position group. But they do give a view on players across the rounds that I think are interesting.
I keep a horizontal draft board more for my own benefit, but if interested it can be found here with notes on the below players and more: Eagles 2023 Draft Board
The Arms Race Mock
Yeah, I know we all want DL but screw it, we will just let them try to outscore us with this mock. No more complaining about the return game or Quez and the RB room is totally re-made.
1-10: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
1-31: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
Bringing in 6’3″ and 6’7″ pass-catchers. Who do you cover when the Eagles can go empty with A.J., DeVonta, Dallas, Quentin, and Darnell?
2-63 RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
I’m going to keep going with size with a 6’1″ 220lb back. But Charbonnet is no short-yardage guy… to go with his 4.15 yard after contact average (just behind Bijan’s 4.17), Zach has this class’s best explosive rush rate at 22.6%.
3-95: RB Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
Kenny Gainwell may be the only returning back next year so adding another isn’t crazy. Let’s add the best pass-catching back in the draft with a silly 2.33 yards per route run.
7-220: WR Jordan Whittington, Texas
Zach Pascal was an underrated signing but is also a free agent. Whittington is a dependable receiver and may be the best blocking WR in this class. His quote: “Your effort without the ball determines how much you love your teammates”
7-251: WR Derius Davis, TCU
Bookending the draft with another TCU wideout, Derius is here for returns. He has 6 returns for TDs in his college career on 92 attempts, a higher rate than last year’s Marcus Jones. He has the 4th fastest high school 400m time in the nation and hit 22.7mph this season which would make him the fastest player in the NFL.
The Trenches Mock
Also known as the Howie mock. None of these mocks are serious but given the potential losses on the DL (Hargrave, Fletch, Barnett, BG) and OL (Dillard, Seumalo), this wouldn’t be (too) crazy.
1-10: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
1-31: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Doubling up in the first to bring in two highly productive EDGEs. The Eagles EDGEs will need to look different in 2023 with Josh Sweat, BG, Robert Quinn, Derek Barnett, and Janarius Robinson on the roster as of today. Both Verse and Felix have true pass set win rates above 32% and two of my favorite EDGEs.
2-63: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Time to take our future RT as Darnell is the best pure RT in this class. Wright is big (6’6″, 335) so he meets my “must-be-giant” requirement. And he has good feet. He is moving up boards after shutting down Will Anderson.
3-95: DT Keondre Coburn, Texas
I would have like a DT earlier but they went prior to the 10th pick. So many look at Sikai Ika but for me, Keondre is the better prospect. He brings a bit more pass rush ability (23% true pass set win rate)
7-220: OT Kadeem Telfort, UAB
Ok now we are talking big. A massive 6’8″ 330lb OT prospect that moves well. In 2021 he looked good against UGA, going against Travon Walker, Nolan Smith, and Adam Anderson. Maybe Stoutland can work magic again or maybe we have a backup.
7-251: DT Jermayne Lole, Louisville
Lole is the forgotten man in this draft after missing all of the 2021 season with a tricep injury only to transfer to Louisville and injure his elbow in the opener and miss the rest of 2022. But after his 2020 season at ASU where he had an amazing 15% run stop rate and 24% true pass set win rate, Lole was thought to be a top-50 pick.
The Cap Mock
This is the responsible, look ahead to free up cap space knowing we are extending Jalen to a big deal, and invest in the positions that are really expensive to get in free agency.
1-10: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Eagles will have the most expensive CB room in the league in 2023 and that is NOT counting Bradberry being re-signed or another CB being added. The Eagles CB room has to get cheaper. It is the 2nd fastest growing position by cost in free agency and is the #1 spot the Eagles need to invest to free up cap.
1-31: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
No choice but to go pass rusher here as it is the most expensive position to fill in free agency. Smith will play a Reddick-like role and if you liked Nakobe the person last year, you will love Nolan as well. Come April I doubt he makes it to 31 however.
2-63: WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
Receiver got really expensive last year thanks to Jacksonville. The Eagles are committed for a while to A.J. and DeVonta but good to invest for the long-term here. A.T. has good size and the 3rd best Y/RR in this class behind Quentin and Addison.
3-95: EDGE Dylan Horton, TCU
May be over-fitting this comp, but Horton is going to test like Milton Williams. An ex-safety, he has a supposed 40 in the 4.5s, a 38 inch vertical, and 10 foot broad. 3 tech to outside versatility, the Eagles get a lot cheaper on the DL with Nolan and Dylan.
7-220: OG McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga
While not an expensive position in free agency, I’ll go with the odds here with IOL being one of the better positions to hit on late in a draft. And as I said above, am a sucker for giants on the line with Curtis at 6’7″ 340.
7-251: CB Eric Garror, Louisiana
Howie likes taking shots at CB and here is an under-the-radar, undersized but athletic slot corner that brings great kick return value as well.
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