Rd. 1 pick no. 15: WR Garret Wilson Ohio State
In free agency, the Eagles added a solid no. 3 WR in Zach Pascal who should be a good option in the red zone. They still desperately need a no. 2 WR who can be a playmaker and take a little pressure off of WR1 Devonta Smith and Wilson fits the bill.
Quez Watkins is underrated and should rotate with Pascal but Quez is also a number three option at best ideally used in the slot. Garret Wilson instantly upgrades the Eagle’s WR corps for a team that has to improve their passing game. Wilson wants to play for the Eagles and the Eagles should want to draft him.
This past season for Ohio State Wilson had 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wilson boasts excellent speed and while some may prefer the Eagles to draft a big-bodied WR to pair with Devonta Smith such as Drake London out of USC or Treylon Burks of Arkansas I think Wilson is the best of the bunch and he plays bigger than his 6ft 199-pound frame suggests.
It’s also important to keep three things in mind. 1) While not a number two WR the Eagles added a big-bodied pass catcher in Zach Pascal via free agency. 2) It’s a given that the Eagles will draft a number two TE at some point in the draft. 3) It’s always wiser to go production over intriguing size in the first round at any position.
The Eagles have learned that lesson with J.J. Arcega Whiteside. When I think of Wilson I see Jeremy Maclin 2.0. The Eagles should not wait until the second or third round to add a sure-fire playmaker at WR.
Rd. 1 pick no. 18: LB Devin Loyd Utah
If Loyd is still available at this point the Eagles should sprint up to the podium. If he isn’t LB Nakobe Dean is an excellent consolation prize who may arguably be better. Those are easily the top two linebackers in the draft. After the underrated free-agent signing of star LB Kyzir White, the Eagles could wait to add a Linebacker but shouldn’t because they still need another three-down LB on the roster.
I like LB Davion Taylor’s upside but his ability to stay healthy remains a question mark. In this scenario, Loyd miraculously falls to the Eagles at 18 and they couldn’t be happier. This past season Loyd had 67 solo tackles 8 sacks and was also excellent in the second level as he notched 4 Interceptions and 3 pass breakups to go along with a forced fumble while bringing down a running back on a wheel route.
Rd. 2 pick no. 51: DE David Ojabo Michigan
After the addition of star Edge Rusher Hasson Reddick and resigning of Derek Barnett to a two-year deal the Eagles have the luxury of selecting Ojabo who suffered an injury at the combine but was thought to be by most a top 20 first-round pick before that. The Eagles select him here and he starts in 2023 as this season is most likely Brandon Graham’s last with the Eagles.
I think that the Eagles could go CB here and DE in the third given the moves they made in the offseason as LB Kyzir white despite his position has also shown a penchant for getting after opposing QBs however the Eagles value the trenches more than any other position save Quarterback and Ojabo is likely a steal at this spot. In 2021 Ojabo had 12 sacks and 5 forced fumbles for the Michigan Wolverines. That is obviously excellent production.
I just want to mention albeit randomly that the emergence of second-year DE Tarron Jackson who produced extremely well whenever he saw the field as a rookie is another reason why the Eagles should not reach for an Edge rusher in the first round in my opinion.
Rd. 3 pick 83: CB Martin Emerson Mississippi State
Emerson is considered a lockdown corner who is flying a bit under the radar. While he only notched 2 career Interceptions in college he had 19 pass breakups and opposing QBs tended to avoid throwing in his direction.
He is a fluid CB who can start and thrive immediately in the NFL opposite Eagles all-pro CB Darius Slay and his production and his rare combination of size and speed for a corner can’t be ignored as he stands at 6ft2 while boasting a 3.39 40 yard dash time. He is a perfect plug-and-play option for DC Johnathon Gannon’s zone defense while also not being a liability in the least in one on one coverage schemes should Gannon opt to switch it up a bit more in 2022.
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Rd. 3 no. 101 via the Saints: WR Tyquan Thorton Baylor
There is an argument to be made that Thorton could be available when the Eagles pick again in the fourth round. That being said he is flying up draft boards and if I’m Howie Roseman I’m not taking that chance, therefore, the Eagles make this pick late in the third round where is almost a guarantee that the Eagles get Thorton. He’s a fast big-bodied WR who could be the steal of this year’s NFL Draft.
Every year there is one player I hope the Eagles draft based on upside and production. Last year it was WR Devonta Smith. While he may need a year to develop Thorton is a player who could become the next Megatron. Tyquan Thorton is 6ft3 but runs a 3.38 40. In 2021 he had his best season for Baylor as he had 62 catches for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. He is a bit lean for such a tall player at 188 pounds however don’t let that fool you.
Thorton was not easily brought down by one defender. He has a little Aguan Bolden in him in that regard. He’s a playmaker. I believe he’ll show flashes as a rookie and go off in his second season in the NFL. He has the ability to do that as a rookie. Even if my instincts are correct he is another great option immediately in the red zone. I simply have a really good feeling about Tyquan and the Eagles have expressed interest.
Rd. 4 pick no. 124: TE Isiah Likely Coastal Carolina
I was tempted to go with TE Jelani Woods here given his 6ft7 frame and good 2021 season however the Eagles need a number 2 TE who has a bit more experience as woods only played one year of college ball and is more of a project. Likely certainly fits the bill. Likely improved every season at Coastal Carolina as both a blocker and a best of a weapon. He is 6ft5 and 239 pounds yet is quick, athletic, and sure-handed.
Likely had a very good season in 2020 as he had 559 yards receiving and 5 TDs. In 2021 Likely went off with 59 catches for 917 yards and 12 TDs. Those are starting Wideout numbers for a Tight End. He was a three-year starter. So why does he last this late in the draft? For two reasons. It’s a deep TE draft and he’s coming out of a small school that the Eagles have had success with as they drafted DE Tarron Jackson out of Coastal Carolina just last year.
TE Isiah Likey would become a star for the birds. The Eagles need to surround hurts with a good number two TE if they wish for him to improve as a passer across the middle of the field and for this football team to make a consecutive playoff run.
Rd. 4 via a Trade for OT Andre Dillard: S Verone McKinley Oregon
Being a little undersized at 5ft10 199 pounds will not matter for Mckinley who was an absolute ballhawk in college. He can compete with Marcus Epps (who is underrated) to start this season narrowly winning that competition. The Eagles could most certainly draft a safety who is more of a thumper but id like to see them nab Mckinley for a very specific reason.
He had 77 tackles and more importantly 7 interceptions in one season alone in 2021 for the Ducks. This defense could most certainly use more turnovers and Mckinley is an instinctive playmaker with a nose for the ball. I think he is a great fit in DC Johnathon Gannon’s defense and will beat out Marcus Epps who will then serve as the third safety until Harris retires.
Rd. 5 pick no. 154: RB Rashaad White Arizona State
Think Jordan Howard in his prime with a little bit more home run ability. White is a big hard-nosed between the tackles runner. He will need to improve a little out of the backfield as a pass-catching option but he does everything else extremely well. He has three-down back potential should the Eagles move on from Miles Sanders after the 2022 season. (This is unlikely unless Sanders has a terrible season.
I see him playing well.) At 6ft2 210 White is a bruising back with some speed. 2021 Stats: 1,007 yards rushing and 15 TDs with 10 TDs in the red zone. White can begin his career with the birds as the no. 3 back and likely become the team’s no. 2 back in 2023.
Rd. 5 pick no. 162: OG/C Kenyan Green Texas A&M
Green would need a season to develop into a starter but should provide good depth as a rookie. I don’t want to talk about potential Jason Kelce replacements until that day comes. The Eagles also already boast one of the best offensive lines if not the best line in the NFL which is why I get annoyed when Tyler Lindebaum keeps getting mocked to the Eagles in the first round when they have more pressing needs.
I also would not personally draft an IOL any higher than the 5th round during this draft. The Eagles value the trenches. I’d be fine if they waited until next season to even address an inner OL prospect given their staters and dept but it’s not in the Eagle’s DNA to go an entire draft without drafting one so they get Green here. Yay.
Rd.5 pick no. 166: OT Braxton Jones Southern Utah State
Braxton Jones should be a very good swing tackle in the NFL and a potential Lane Johnson replacement when he retires in a couple of seasons. (hopefully longer) That being said it should be noted that the Eagles may also have that player on the roaster as OL Has played well at RT while filling in a few times for lane Johnson last season. Braxton Jones was a Mauler for Utah State in both the run and passing game only allowing 2 sacks in two seasons. He’s started at both LT and RT as well as a guard but has been at his best as an OT.
 Trade Alert! The Eagles trade backup QB Garder Minshew for a 5th rd pick and a 7th rd. pick in 2023
Does using four 5th round picks make sense? why not? There should be a team that misses out on San Francisco QB Jimmy Grappolo given his massive contract and disgruntled Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield. The Eagles have received calls for Minshew but shouldn’t just give away a good backup who’s capable of coming in and winning games for the Eagles should Jalen Hurts get injured.
Several teams could view Minshew as a short-term stopgap starter for this season given the lack of good depth at QB in this year’s draft. Heck Minshew was better in Jacksonville than Trever Lawrence has been to this point. In this scenario, the Eagles are getting two draft picks for a player one of which is one round higher than the capital used to acquire Minshew last season. (6th round pick) The selection: DT Phidarian Mathis Alabama.
Mathis sees a little bit of an unexpected slide during the draft and the Eagles sprint to the podium to make this selection. Mathis broke out as a senior last season after only notching 1.5 sacks as a junior with 9 sacks and a forced fumble for Alabama in 2021.
He was excellent at getting after opposing QBs and forcing quick decisions for opposing QBs at the line of scrimmage. Mathis was a disruptive player for this past season and can rotate in with the Eagles as a rookie and be the team’s third DT in his second season. He has starting potential after a little bit of development.
Rd.7 number 237: FB Jeremiah Hall Oklahoma
I almost went punter here as Aaron Sippos was simply dreadful last season. While the Eagles should punt less this season it is an underrated need. That being said I simply do not believe in using a draft pick on the position when there will be plenty of undrafted rookie free agent punters all of which will most likely be an upgrade over Aaron.
I’d like to do something a little bit more fun. Yes, the Eagle’s passing game must improve across the board if the Eagles are to have any hope of winning in the playoffs. With that in mind you still gameplan for your opponent and you should always run the ball against teams with bad run defenses.
It is not rocket science. Game plan to throw the ball a bit more while remaining balanced against bad secondaries and just run the damn ball down the opponent’s throat if they have a porous run defense. The Eagles have been flirting with the idea of adding a Fullback to the roster since Doug Pederson was a rookie head coach in 2017. Your picking late in the 7th round. Draft the best Fullback in the country. At pick no. 237 the Eagles select: FB Jeremiah Hall Oklahoma.
Hall is a monstrous lead blocker at 6ft3 239 pounds. He has moved the pile when given the rock but more impressively for a man of his size has been a dangerous pass-catching option out of the backfield for the Sooners with 68 career grabs for 757 yards and 12 TDs. Needless to say he also already has a connection with Eagles QB Jalen Hurts as the two connected for 5 TDs in 2019 as well.
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