Another week, another Eagles 7-round mock draft.
I will admit, I wasn’t in love with the first mock I did last week. I felt like I reached for some players I really liked and I didn’t get a true difference maker on the offensive side of the ball. While going all in on the defense was my strategy last time around, I wanted to be a bit more balanced with this iteration.
Overall, the Eagles have 11 selections heading into draft night — (1) 12, (2) 37, (3) 70, (3) 83, (4) 123, (5) 150, (6) 189, (6) 224, (6) 225, (7) 234, & (7) 240 overall. So without further ado, let’s get into our 4th edition of the Eagles 7-round mock draft.
Round 1 (pick 12)
DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR
If DeVonta Smith falls to the Eagles at 12 — which is a real possibility — Howie Roseman should not hesitate to pull the trigger.
Despite his size (6’1”, 175), Smith is arguably the most well rounded wideout in this year’s draft. He has the speed to take a top off a defense, he’s physical enough to fight through press coverage, and he’s strong enough to go up and make contested catches. Smith is a true No. 1 wide receiver at the next level.
While his long, lanky frame can be seen as a disadvantage, Smith uses his long arms to create separation off the line of scrimmage. Those long arms come in handy when high pointing the ball as well. His quickness and precise route running is also at an elite level.
Simply put, Smith can do it all. If you line him up in the slot, out wide, or even motion him into the backfield, this Alabama product will produce.
For our Prospect Profile on DeVonta Smith, click here.
Round 2 (pick 37)
Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse CB
The Eagles need to add a cornerback who can start right away opposite of Darius Slay in Jonathan Gannon’s defense, and Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu fits that bill.
Some may say picking this Syracuse product at 37th overall is a reach, but one look at his tape and I see a starting cornerback at the next level. He has tremendous size, standing at 6’3” 213 pounds, and his physical play matches it.
Here’s a snippet from a piece I wrote last week on corners that would make sense for the Eagles in the second round:
Aside from his pure physical talent, Melifonwu is also one of the smartest corners entering this year’s draft. He plays with great eye discipline and he diagnoses route concepts effectively. He knows when to break on the ball and his size gives him a great chance at either intercepting it or breaking it up.”
Melifonwu fills an obvious need for this team and he brings great upside to the position. Taking this guy in the second round would be a great selection by Roseman.
Round 3 (pick 70)
Tay Gowan, UCF CB
Cornerback is the biggest need on this team, and if a guy like Tay Gowan falls into the third round, there’s no harm in doubling up on the position within the first 100 picks.
Like Melifonwu, Gowan is a big corner who likes to get physical at the line of scrimmage. At UCF, Gowan played a mix of press-man and cover 3 shell, which are two concepts that Gannon will likely implement in his defense. Gowan uses his size to attack balls in the air, recording seven pass breakups and two interceptions on 50 targets in 2019.
While his lack of experience will turn some off — he only played one year of FBS ball after transferring from a JUCO — he has all the tools to be a starting corner in this league. While Melifonwu will start from day one, Gowan is someone who adds depth immediately and after Slay leaves in a year or so, he should be ready to take the reigns.
Round 3 (pick 84)
Jamar Johnson, Indiana S
When I mentioned that I reached for certain players in my last mock, Jamar Johnson in the second round was the pick I was talking about in particular. I love what he brings to the table, it’s just not worth it to take him as high as 37. But at 84th overall in the third round, say no more.
Johnson bring great instincts to the position and he’s your prototypical pass coverage safety. He did a great job roaming the backend in Indiana as a split safety, which is likely the role we’ll ask him to play here in Philly. He lead Indiana in interceptions in 2020 with four, two of which came against Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
He may not start right away, but with Anthony Harris on just a one-year deal and Rodney McLeod still rehabbing from a torn ACL, he could see the field earlier than you think. He and 2020 fourth round selection K’Von Wallace could be the future of the safety position in Philadelphia if Howie decides to snag this Indiana product.
Round 4 (pick 123)
Osa Odigizuwa, UCLA DT
Behind Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave, the Eagles don’t have much depth at their defensive tackle position. UCLA’s Osa Odigizuwa is a bit of a tweener, standing at 6’2” 280 pounds, but as a situational pass rusher along the interior of the defensive line, Odigizuwa could be a very effective defensive tackle.
This UCLA product is very explosive at the point of attack. He knocks offensive lineman back with his aggressive hands and he does a great job at exploding through gaps and getting into the backfield. Odigizuwa plays with solid pad level and his first step is as quick as any interior defensive lineman in this draft class.
He will struggle against the run due to his size, but he probably won’t see playing time early on unless it’s an obvious passing situation.
Depth at the defensive tackle position has been overlooked this offseason. And although the team re-signed Hassan Ridgeway, placing Odigizuwa as the DT4 who can see some snaps as a pass rusher gives the Eagles a really nice developmental piece behind their starters at the position.
Round 5 (pick 150)
Cornell Powell, Clemson WR
Although the Eagles drafted three wideouts in last year’s draft, doubling up this time around is still possible. With all the young receivers on the roster, adding competition for the WR4 spot will only help with their development. Cornell Powell out of Clemson, while not a true standout at the position, has a nice profile that can translate to NFL success.
Standing at 6’0”, 205 pounds, Powell has nice size for the position. He routinely makes the tough catch and he isn’t afraid to put his body on the line. With his size and reliable hands, Powell has a good amount of upside at the next level. His route running will need some fine tuning before he can be a true difference maker, but the Eagles won’t need him to contribute right away. Especially if they snag Smith in the first round.
Round 6 (pick 189)
Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech RB
Despite the addition of Jordan Howard, the Eagles could use another young back to compliment the rest of the committee. Insert Virginia Tech’s Khalil Herbert, who showcased great big play ability during his final year of collegiate ball.
He isn’t the biggest runner, standing at just 5’8” 204 pounds, but Herbert’s low center of gravity serves him well when fighting through tackles. He runs with balance and great body control through contact, and he’s a patient runner who will wait for his blocks to setup in front of him. Herbert also has nice hands out of the backfield, which is a must for any back in a west coast offensive system.
I’d expect Nick Sirianni to spread the workload among all of the backs at his disposal. Herbert can be utilized in third down situations or just a change-of-pace back behind Miles Sanders. He’d be a nice addition to this promising backfield.
Round 6 (pick 224)
Tre’ McKitty, Georgia TE
With Zach Ertz’s status with the Eagles still up in the air, the Eagles will likely look to find a young tight end to add depth to the position. While Georgia’s Tre’ McKitty wasn’t very productive during his collegiate career, he has all the tools to be a successful tight end in the NFL, or at least good enough to warrant TE2 snaps at some point.
McKitty has a solid frame for an NFL tight end, standing at 6’4” and 246 pounds, and he possesses soft hands when bringing in receptions. He’s not the most polished blocker, but he doesn’t roll over in blocking situations, the effort is there.
As a TE3 who can develop into a TE2 at some point, McKitty makes sense for the Eagles in the sixth round.
Round 6 (pick 225)
Michal Menet, Penn State C
In my last mock, I made this same exact selection. So instead of regurgitating what I already wrote, here’s a snippet from my last mock:
He has great size for a center standing at 6’4”, 306 pounds, and he brings a lot of power in his blocking. He’s explosive at the point of attack and he has terrific pad level on blocks. Menet is also a very smart offensive lineman — he showcases great awareness in passing off blocks and he’s done a great job quarterbacking PSU’s offensive line during his collegiate career. I don’t view offensive line as bad of a need as some do, but the team could use another natural center behind Kelce and Menet fits that bill.”
Round 7 (pick 234)
Patrick Jones II, Pittsburgh EDGE
It’s hard to say if Patrick Jones II will even fall into the seventh round — we have seen crazier things happen. Most outlets have him going anywhere from the third round on. But rest assured, if he is available in the seventh, any team would love to take him.
The Eagles could use an injection of youth at their defensive end position and Jones provides that. He’s an athletic edge rusher who causes a lot of disruption in the backfield. He keeps his pad level low and he has nice bend coming around the outside of the offensive tackle.
He does struggle a bit beating double teams and he can find himself out of position from time to time. But as a seventh round pick, you won’t find better value than this Pitt product.
Round 7 (pick 240)
Feleipe Franks, Arkansas QB
The Eagles need a third quarterback on the roster and Arkansas’ Feleipe Franks fills that need. He has a strong arm and a prototypical frame for a quarterback (6’5”, 234 pounds). He does a nice job of sensing pressure and keeping his eyes downfield.
With their last pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, why not add another arm into the Quarterback Factory?
I would be satisfied if the Eagles draft turned out like this. Three solid defensive back prospects, one elite wide receiver to go along with another who can develop into a contributor, along with some solid developmental pieces along the defensive line. I can’t complain with that outcome at all.
Click here to view out Mock Draft 3.0