Another week, another mock draft from Pro Football Focus.
We’ve covered all of PFF’s latest mock drafts here. Some were better than others, but for the most part they’ve remained consistent in addressing the Eagles needs heading into the offseason.
This time around, the Eagles have the 10th, 14th, and 23rd overall picks. With their first selection, PFF has the Eagles taking arguably the best secondary player in the country, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
I broke down why Hamilton should be on the Eagles radar back in October, you can click here to read my full analysis.
In short, Hamilton is a do it all safety that will have a day one impact on any defensive unit. He can play deep safety, in the box, or at the nickel position. The great thing about Hamilton is that despite the ‘positionless’ label he’s been getting, he’s more impactful at his natural safety position than players who’ve received that label in the past.
Hamilton currently sits at third on PFF’s big board, so it’s a little surprising they had him falling all the way to ten in their own mock draft. It’s likely due to the fact that safeties just aren’t typically valued as top-10 picks. But Hamilton is so good that he’s more than worthy of a top-10 selection. And if he did fall all the way to 10, the Eagles would have no choice but to select him.
With both Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris likely gone after this year, Hamilton will fill an immediate need at safety and he’d give the team their first long-term solution at the position in years.
Aside from Hamilton, PFF also had the Eagles taking center Tyler Linderbaum with the 14th overall pick and linebacker Devin Lloyd at 23rd overall.
Linderbaum was mocked to the Eagles in PFF’s last mock draft as well. He’s arguably the best offensive lineman prospect in this draft class and he’s unquestionably the best center. He would be an ideal replacement for Jason Kelce whenever he hangs up the cleats.
As for Lloyd, the Eagles have never put much value into the linebacker position. They haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round since they took Jerry Robinson in 1979 out of UCLA. With three first round picks in this year’s draft, maybe they decide to break the mold.
It’s certainly a need for this team. Davion Taylor has shown promise but not enough to pencil him in as a starter for the next three years. T.J. Edwards has been the surprise of the group, receiving a one-year extension on his contract just about a month ago, but his long-term future with the Eagles is still very much in question.
Lloyd is a prototypical 4-3 outside linebacker. Standing at 6’3”, 232 pounds, he has the frame to be an every down linebacker at the next level. Lloyd also possesses nice athletic ability, although I wouldn’t call him an elite athlete. He can move sideline to sideline and is capable in coverage.
Where Lloyd really stands out is on the mental side of the game. His football IQ is among the best in this entire draft class. He’s routinely communicating pre-snap with his defensive lineman and he understands the nuanced chess matches opposing offenses try to employ.
Overall, this would be a nice haul for the Eagles. They would fill two immediate needs on the defensive side of the ball, while getting the best offensive lineman in the draft. I for one, would not complain one bit if this is how the first round played out.
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