Mock Draft season is in full swing now and with the Russell Wilson trade to Denver, the Eagles can really hone in on their three first-round picks (barring an unforeseen blockbuster trade).
So without further ado, let’s jump right into this 7-round mock draft.
15th overall, LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
If you’ve read any of my work regarding the draft over the last month, you’ll know how much I love Devin Lloyd as a prospect. For my full thoughts on the Utah standout, you can read my prospect profile here.
In short, Lloyd does everything at a high level. Although some will argue he’s not elite in any one category, he’s good to great at nearly everything, and he’s borderline elite moving downhill and blitzing.
The Eagles have needed a difference maker at the linebacker position for years now and with three first-round picks at their disposal, Howie Roseman should be willing to finally fill this need adequately.
16th overall, EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia
While Travon Walker may not be the stud pass rusher from day one like some of the edge players entering this year’s draft, he has the ability to play three downs from day one and have an impact. Standing at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Walker will be stout against the run right away and he has all the physical tools to develop into a premiere pass rusher.
A physical freak for the position, you simply can’t teach what Walker has. He fills a huge need for the Eagles and will probably push for more playing time as the year goes on, eventually becoming the three down starter by the end of the year.
19th overall, WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how this wide receiver class will fall come draft night. It really depends on what your preferred skill set is. In the Eagles case, Treylon Burks is a perfect fit for their wide receiver room. Standing at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he’s the most physically imposing wideout in this year’s class and a perfect complement to last year’s first-round pick, DeVonta Smith.
Burks draws a lot of comparisons to A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel with his open field running and homerun ability. Get the ball in his hands and figure out the rest later. He’d add an element to this Eagles offense that they simply don’t have.
51st overall, EDGE Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
Defensive end is the biggest need for the Eagles this offseason and this mock reflects that. Where Walker can step in and be a day one starter, Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto can step in and be a situational pass rusher immediately. Over the past two seasons, Bonitto averaged a Pro Football Focus pass rush grade of 93.05, which places him in the 99th percentile among all collegiate edge rusher who played at least 300 snaps.
As far as pure pass rushers are concerned, Bonitto is among the best in this year’s class. He has an array of pass rushing moves at his disposal already and he has enough intelligence to know when and where his moves will work. Getting after the passer is the name of the game, and Bonitto brings that in spades.
83rd overall, CB Derion Kendrick, Georgia
There’s an argument to be had on whether Derion Kendrick‘s deficiencies were masked a bit by the loaded Georgia defense he played in. Nevertheless, he still presents a lot of potential, especially as an off-ball zone corner.
As a former wideout, Kendrick has great ball skills for a corner. In zone coverage, those ball skills really shine. Jonathan Gannon rarely asks his corners to get up on the line of scrimmage to press opposing wideouts, so Kendrick should be able to slot right in and have an impact.
There are some concerns with his speed and physicality, which lowers his ceiling a bit. But he has a high floor and provides enough upside with his ball skills to take him within the first 100 picks.
152nd overall, S Nick Cross, Maryland
The Eagles need for a safety is paramount, but they may be able to find a suitable solution in the later round of this year’s draft. Insert Maryland’s Nick Cross, a former tracks star who brings physicality to the backend of a defense.
At Maryland, Cross played primarily as a center field safety and was rarely asked to do anything outside of that. He doesn’t bring as much versatility to the position as some defensive coordinators desire, but in the Eagles defense, he probably won’t be asked to do anything other than play over the top.
Cross won’t start from day one, but the Eagles just need players at the position right now. He has all the tools to excel in Gannon’s defense.
160th overall, TE Jelani Woods, Virgina
Virginia’s Jelani Woods was a standout during the scouting combine. Standing at 6-foot-7, 253 pounds, Woods ran an impressive 4.61 40 and put up 24 reps on the bench press.
Tight end is not a huge need for the Eagles. Dallas Goedert has firmly solidified his spot as the TE1, but the team doesn’t have much to work with behind him. Adding another developmental guy to the group makes sense, and Woods provides a lot of potential to grow into a solid second option at the position.
165th overall, P Matt Araiza, San Diego State
If you didn’t watch the final day of the combine, you probably think I’m crazy with this selection. For those not in the know, here’s how San Diego State punter/kicker Matt Araiza faired:
Hell, he even ran a 4.68 40.
At this point, getting Araiza at 164 is great value. He can kickoff and punt at a high level and the Eagles will need a new punter this offseason. Why not get him with one of the final picks in the draft?
204th overall, T Luke Tenuta, Virginia Tech
The Eagles love to grab developmental offensive lineman late in the draft, and for the most part, they’ve all worked out. Standing at 6-foot-9, Luke Tenuta is a physical specimen at the tackle position and has the versatility to play on both the right and left.
Jeff Stoutland has proven time and time again that he can develop even the longest of long shots into suitable NFL players. I’m sure he could do something similar with Tenuta.
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