With Sean Desai officially announced as the Eagles defensive coordinator, things are a bit clearer on what the 2023 defense should look like. We know Desai’s Fangio-lineage so for those that were hoping for a sharp turn and a more aggressive, blitzing defense, sorry to say Desai is going to provide good continuity with what Gannon played. And that isn’t bad – containing explosive plays is the right defensive structure.
But there will be differences, which likely will be:
- More pre-snap motion and disguise
- More physicality in coverage (press, re-routing)
- More dime coverage
- More variability in where defensive fronts align and attack from, more stunts and overloads
Don’t take some of the above to an extreme. For example, on dime coverage, Desai will likely play more dime relative to Gannon who openly declared Philly as “not a dime defense”. But the Bears and Seahawks were both around middle of the league in dime personnel.
And do not mistake physicality and press in coverage as meaning more man – if anything, Desai played a higher rate of zone-based coverages than Gannon did.
But if you do believe the above differences are true, there are certain types of players that make more sense. For corners, just look back at Seattle’s 2022 draft where they doubled-up on corners with Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen. The things they have in common? Physical, good ball skills, willing run defenders. For DL, an ability to pressure the QB without blitzing and athleticism to vary rushes.
And that brings me to an all-Desai mock – I’m using the PFF Simulator for this:
Pick 1-10: Devon Witherspoon, CB
PFF surprisingly had Devon available with only Gonzalez going to Detroit, so of course I’m going to take Devon for Desai. Here’s why:
- Inside / outside versatility with over 100 slot snaps this year
- Played the most man coverage in this class but he is an even better zone corner (if you have other CBs ahead of him, that is fine but there is no way Devon isn’t a top 3 zone corner)
- Elite press corner, giving up 1 yard in 119 snaps
- If you want physical at the line, at the catch point, and in run defense, Devon is your guy
This is a terrible DPI call but shows Devon’s physicality and ability to disrupt routes
Come April 27, I think both Gonzalez and Devon will be taken ahead of the Eagles pick. Howie could trade up if he really wanted but if they were both gone, here are other options for Desai:
- Trade down – probably the best option as next options are reaches at 10 in my view (Emmanuel Forbes, Myles Murphy, Lukas Van Ness) or not the best Eagles scheme fits (Joey Porter Jr.)
- Nolan Smith – He’s the one I would take if not a corner, absolutely love Nolan, highly athletic and generates as much pressure as anybody in this class on top of his elite run defense. The number of DL prospects with at least a 20% run stop and 30% win rate? One, just Nolan this year.
- Calijah Kancey – interesting fit for Desai with his athleticism and ability to rush from any spot on the line
Trade: There’s going to be a trade somewhere and here I have Howie trading back with the Raiders who, with three 4th round picks, jump ahead of Pittsburgh and Indy to take OT Anton Harrison
PHI sends 1-30 for LV’s 2-38, 4-143, and 4-146
Pick 2-38: Keeanu Benton, DT
The first pick was easy, now it gets interesting. Most have Benton as a round 3 guy but he’s my DT3 and people forget that DTs that can rush the passer get drafted heavier than expected. The Eagles showed the value of having Suh and Joseph to rotate with Jordan Davis. Fangio defenses all bring in NTs – Benton is another guy for Desai and has flexibility beyond NT:
- Athletic and powerful and may be more effective when on the move and stunting which will be a bigger part of the Eagles’ front
- Versatility that could fill in at NT and play out to 4i
- One of the few DTs in this class with a pressure and run stop rate above 12%
- Only 21 years of age, has shown growth each year with more ahead of him
A to Z Sports Films has a good set of clips here that I pulled a few from – here in the first couple, Benton is going against John Michael-Schmitz. Shows his versatility across the line.
Other options I considered:
- Emmanuel Forbes – Doubling up on CB was an option, Forbes, like Devon, is also exactly the type of corner Desai will want
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah – one of the few EDGEs productive against the run and pass, he is constantly disruptive
- Kancey, Tyrique Stevenson, Cam Smith all went in the 20s
Pick 2-62: Derick Hall, EDGE
Last year Seattle double-doubled on defense, taking two corners and two EDGEs. They needed it, finishing 30th in pass rush. And here I’m adding another on the line for Desai:
- Great length, first-step explosiveness and power
- Effective edge-setter
- The Eagles love leaders – Hall is a team captain and great locker room guy
Other options:
- Doubling up on CB here with Garrett Williams who I love, but recovering from his torn ACL so will pass on him at 62
- EDGEs Karl Brooks, Adetomiwa Adebawore
Pick 3-94: Sydney Brown, SAF
We saw the value of CJGJ and if Desai is going to rotate coverages more, a versatile defender like Brown fits. And I absolutely love pairing two defensive backs from Illinois, one of the most aggressive, dynamic, and productive college secondaries:
- Highest graded man coverage safety
- Versatile, playing over 1,300 snaps in the box and over 700 each in the slot and deep safety
- Effective vs. tight ends in matchups
- Physical in coverage (notice a pattern here)
Other options:
- LBs Demarvion Overshown and Nick Herbig, both good coverage LBs
- EDGEs Dylan Horton and Colby Wooden
Pick 4-143: Rejzohn Wright, CB
Everybody looks to Julius Brents as this year’s Tariq Woolen with this size and athletic profile, but don’t forget about Rejzohn. Rejzohn matches what Seattle looked for last year and how Desai wants his corners to play:
- While not quite matching Woolen, he’s long and fast, 6’2″ 200 with an expected 40 in the 4.3s
- Every draft profile of his will include “highly competitive” and “skilled at press and disrupting route timing”
Showing his physicality against Jordan Addison, where he held Addison to one catch.
Pick 4-146: Dorian Williams, LB
I passed on linebacker above and will add one of my favorites here:
- Highly athletic with good length but undersized
- Can stay attached in coverage downfield
Other options at 143 and 146:
- EDGE Karl Brooks and DT Moro Ojomo
- SAF Quindell Johnson
Pick 7-221: Devonnsha Maxwell, DT
Last year, Cole Strange was drafted out of Chattanooga and this year, Devonnsha will be as well. @JonM_Salter turned me on to Devonnsha – he’s hard to find film on, but what you see you will like:
- High motor
- Highly productive, 3rd highest graded FCS with 9 sacks including 2 vs Illinois, and 36 run stops
- Projects as a DE in Eagles scheme
Come draft day, I expect Devonnsha to go quite a bit higher but I’m taking him here.
Pick 7-250: Jay Ward, SAF
A corner at LSU, Ward will likely play safety in the NFL but has flexibility like Sydney Brown above. And continuing the theme, he brings aggressiveness:
- Long with good ball skills
- Another versatile defender that plays everywhere with over 400 career snaps at corner and safety, 500 in the slot, and 300 in the box
- Confident and aggressive
Of course, an all-defense mock is unrealistic, but these are types of players the Eagles, and Desai, would want across rounds.
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