My last “All Defense Mock for Sean Desai” post was a request which led to this one as well. An all-offense mock is a bit more difficult and will probably be a little less realistic. But I am going with it nonetheless.
First, what can we expect on new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson? It will largely be a continuation of Philly’s already explosive offense but there are some things to note:
- Highly regarded in developing QBs and a long history with Jalen Hurts
- Led a highly efficient and explosive offense at Florida in 2020, doubling their explosive passing plays
- And most interesting, utilizing RBs in the passing game to a much higher degree
Take a look at his 2020 stats from Florida when he was calling plays. Targets to RBs were up, but more than that, they were used to a much larger degree in routes.
- In 2018 and 2019, passes to RBs were all at the LOS or behind but in 2020 they averaged an 2.9 ADOT.
- In prior years a large chunk of RB passing was in the screen game, under Johnson it was a minor part.
- Targets to RBs were way up under Johnson as well, hitting 17% of total passes.
And this is all while having Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney as options in the passing game – it was very deliberate to get the backs involved.
So if we did an all-offense draft for Johnson, who would I take? @PHLEagleNews and I were chatting, he said I take more risks in the draft and I do at times. It will absolutely be on display here.
Pick 1-10: Quentin Johnston, WR
This would make 4 years in a row the Eagles would use a top pick on a receiver (including last year’s trade for A.J. Brown). Will it happen? No. But here’s why I love this for new OC Brian Johnson:
- Quentin is a size and speed freak and not sure anybody can create with the ball in their hands better than him
- The Eagles have WR1A and WR1B which isn’t unique anymore among the top teams. Everybody is focused on WR3 as a need and looking at slot guys – don’t try to fit a role, just take another dominant guy.
- How do you cover the Eagles? A.J. Brown is elite vs. man and press, DeVonta is good no matter the coverage, and Quentin is one of only two WRs in this class with a Y/RR over 3.0 against both zone and man.
- Philly benefited from extremely low injury levels in 2022 and their offense depends on two alphas
There are absolutely safer picks and as dominant as Quentin can be, he comes with some concerns – his drop rate, disappearing in some games. And maybe it will be hard to spread targets across all these options. But I’ll take the risk.
There are plenty of clips with him running downfield, this one isn’t even a target but it’s why I like him – his ability to immediately stop and change direction at his size is dangerous.
Other options:
- The only other offensive players that would have made sense here are OTs Anton Harrison, Broderick Jones, or Darnell Wright
Pick 1-30: Darnell Washington, TE
Back-to-back higher risk but mismatch nightmare picks. But you saw what Brian Johnson did with Kyle Pitts at Florida. To be clear, I am NOT saying Darnell is Kyle Pitts, but here’s why I’m taking Darnell:
- Across the league, passing from 12 personnel is more efficient than from 11 personnel but most teams struggle running it. The Eagles already have the top-rated offense from 12 and don’t even have a secondary TE threat – they generate 0.42 EPA in 12 personnel, more than triple their offensive average of 0.12 per play. I’m not sure how you defend Dallas and Darnell out of 12.
- His receiving value may seem like a projection, but he wasn’t asked to catch much at UGA. When he did, he was dominant – the highest YAC/Rec in this class, 2nd highest ADOT, and 22 of 28 receptions were 1st downs
- The absolute worst-case, bottom floor on Darnell is getting somebody that blocks like an OT
Other options:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs I thought long and hard on and know I will forever disappoint Clio. Gibbs makes a lot of sense (more on why in a minute)
- OTs Anton Harrison and Darnell Wright were still there in this sim which was really tempting
Pick 2-62: Cody Mauch, OT
A fan-favorite and one that makes so much sense I don’t think I need to explain much here:
- Versatility across the entire OL
- Mobility and footwork that the Eagles require
- The data on arm length at tackle isn’t as compelling as many think it is. I think he can stick at OT. At worst, you have a OG and swing tackle.
From @PhillyWannabGM, if you aren’t following him for draft content you should.
Other options:
- Doubling up WR with Marvin Mims or A.T. Perry
Pick 3-94: Kenny McIntosh, RB
There isn’t a better pass-catching RB in this class than McIntosh.. If Johnson will use RBs more creatively in the passing game, McIntosh is the best pass-catcher in this class and it’s not even close:
- A 2.21 Y/RR – the next closest (Jahmyr Gibbs) is almost a half-yard lower
- Across 4 seasons and 90 targets, he has zero drops. Zero.
- 12.3 YAC/reception, totaling 515 yards, best in this class
- Underrated runner with a near 30% missed tackle rate generated and 57% of his yards coming after contact
- Some view him as small – at 6’1″ 210 lbs
Other options:
- OG Emil Ekiyor, an underrated interior linemen
Pick 7-221: OT Kadeem Telfort
The late rounds are really hard to find NFL players, but the best position is offensive line. So that’s where I’m going.
- Massive 6’8″, 330 lb small school tackle that needs development, but has surprising mobility for his size
- Showed well against UGA in 2021 going up against Travon Walker, Nolan Smith, and Adam Anderson
Pick 7-250: Tre Tucker, WR
A speedster whose value is probably returns.
- Almost 1,700 return yards and a 25 yard per return average
- Ran a 4.41 at the Combine and can join Hurts as he squats 600 lbs.
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