Another week, another mock draft here at Full Scale.
Last week, we focused on the defensive side of the ball, and this week is no different. We’ll switch to an offense heavy first-round in the near future, but for now, it’s all defense. Plus, the Eagles defense needs some extra love this offseason, so going all defense in the first-round is actually a likely scenario.
Now that the regular season is over, the Eagles draft position has shifted a bit from last time. For this go around, the Eagles hold the 15th, 16th, and 19th overall selections in this year’s NFL Draft. Let’s jump right into it.
Click here for the Eagles First-Round Mock Draft 1.0
15th overall, EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan
Michigan’s David Ojabo has been a popular name in Eagles mock drafts this year. And for good reason — Ojabo was one of the key cogs to Michigan’s run to the College Football Playoff this year.
Coming into his junior season, Ojabo had only tallied one tackle in his collegiate career. This year, he broke out in a big way, totaling 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, five forced fumbles, to go along with 35 total tackles at the defensive end position.
Standing at 6’5” and weighing in at 250 pounds, Ojabo has the prototypical frame of any high-end pass rusher. His athleticism jumps off the screen at you when watching tape. He’s able to produce a lot of power and explosion through that frame, and he’s quick and agile enough to bend the corner with ease against tackles.
Unlike most athletically freaky pass rushers, Ojabo actually has a solid pass rushing arsenal. He has a devastating ghost move that typically leaves blockers looking for answers, and he’s also showcased some nasty spin moves this season.
What makes Ojabo so appealing as a prospect is his ability to combine all of his physical traits (quickness, explosion, speed, power, and bend) when getting after the passer. Tackles never seem to know what Ojabo is going to throw at them and it’s worked to his advantage all season.
The Eagles will certainly look to add pass rushing help this offseason. If Ojabo is available whenever the Eagles are on the clock in this year’s draft, I’d be shocked if Howie Roseman didn’t snag him.
16th overall, CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
While the Eagles have a large crop of young corners on their roster ready to fight for the No. 2 cornerback spot opposite of Darius Slay this offseason, I expect Howie to address the position. This draft class has a lot of top-end corner talent, and Florida’s Kaiir Elam is one of the best corner prospects in this year’s crop.
Elam would be a perfect fit in Jonathan Gannon’s defense. He has exceptional length, standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 193 pounds. And he’s best suited to play in a zone coverage system on the outside, which is exactly what Gannon is going to ask of him.
His ball skills really shine when he’s able to keep the receiver in front of him in zone. Elam has had his fair share of pass breakups throughout his collegiate career and he’s always done a nice job playing through the receiver’s hands. He also possesses fluid hips that allow him to flow efficiently to the receiver, and he has the stature to play press-man at the next level if he needs to.
The Eagles haven’t spent a first-round pick on a corner in over a decade. With Steven Nelson likely gone and Slay continuing to age, this would be the year to buck that trend. Elam will certainly be on the front office’s board come draft night.
19th overall, DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
If you watched the National Championship Monday night, you’ll know exactly why Georgia’s Jordan Davis is such an alluring prospect for the Eagles.
Davis is a massive human being, standing 6’6” and weighing upwards of 340 pounds. He’s hard to move off the line of scrimmage — not only because of his size, but because of his raw strength that’s he’s used to dominate SEC offensive lines throughout his Georgia career. On almost every snap, Davis walks offensive lineman back 2-3 yards.
For his size, Davis can flat out move, which makes him a threat against the run as well as getting after the passer.
With the way Gannon likes to utilize his defensive lineman, Davis would be a perfect fit here in Philly. He can line up all across the interior and cause havoc.
There’s a chance the Eagles could move off of Fletcher Cox this offseason. Pairing Davis with Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams for the foreseeable future would be a match made in heaven for the Eagles, and a complete nightmare for opposing offensive lines.
While this draft haul wasn’t as varied as my last first-round mock, I think it may be the more likely outcome on draft night. Howie loves to bolster his defensive front and it’s going to be a clear need this offseason. Adding Ojabo and Davis would give this defensive line a strong nucleus to build around for the next 4-5 years. Elam would immediately fill the hole at No. 2 CB, and this Eagles defense would be improved almost from top to bottom.
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