The Philadelphia Eagles currently sit at the no. 21 spot in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. The draft is always a crab shoot, and it’s nearly impossible to truly predict where players will fall once you get outside the top-10.
There should certainly be some impact players available at no. 21, but depending on which position Howie Roseman plans to target in the first, they may need to trade up if they really want to get a stud at said position.
With 10 picks to play around with, Roseman has the capital to jump up in the first round. He’s even hinted at it throughout this offseason.
Trading up can be a risky proposition. Howie needs to be certain whoever he trades up for will be a sure thing at the next level. Here are the only two prospects who I believe are worth trading up for.
Oklahoma WR, CeeDee Lamb
Everyone has their own opinion on who the top wide receiver prospect is in this draft, but for my money I’m going with CeeDee Lamb out of Oklahoma.
He may not have the track speed that Henry Ruggs showcased at the scouting combine, but his open field running and play making ability are still outstanding. His vision after the catch is easily the best in this draft. Couple that with his will to break tackles, and you have an absolute force when he gets the ball in his hands.
He’s the most complete wideout in this draft. From winning at the line of scrimmage, to his remarkable ball skills, Lamb stands above his peers in nearly every facet of being a wide receiver.
I would expect he’ll be the first or second wideout off the board come draft night. Trading into the top-10 would probably be the only way to ensure the Eagles have a legit shot at snagging him.
He’d be a difference maker from day one if Howie can pull of some magic here.
Clemson LB, Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons is just a different breed of linebacker, which was clearly evident during his scouting combine workout. At 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, Simmons ran a blazing 4.39 second 40-yard-dash. Unreal.
He is a Swiss army knife at the linebacker position (if you can even call him a traditional linebacker). In 2019, Simmons played five different positions in LSU’s defense: linebacker, defensive line, nickel corner, outside corner and free safety. And he played all of those positions at a high level.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 84.4 run defense grade, a 81.1 grade as a pass rusher and a 88.2 grade in pass coverage. He totaled 30 pressures on just 73 pass rushing snaps and only missed nine tackles out 94 attempts last season. He’s just a freak, there’s no other way to put it.
I can only imagine having this kind of player in an Eagles uniform. It’s hard to see Simmons hopping over Chase Young as the first defensive player taken this year, but there’s no doubt he’ll be the second defender off the board.
It’ll take a lot to trade up and grab this guy, but given his unbelievable talent and production, he’d be well worth the investment. Even though Roseman doesn’t seem to put much stock into his linebackers, Simmons is just so unworldly talented that maybe Howie would reconsider his usual ideology here.