Last month I devised the perfect plan for the Eagles in free agency and the draft. The Eagles didn't listen, but I'd say they've done a pretty good job so far.
Now that free agency is essentially over, it’s time to turn to the draft.
I’m here to bless you with my second and final mock draft. I won't go crazy into detail on each pick, many sites have done that already and I'll just sound redundant. Let’s begin.
Trade back SZN
There’s absolutely no secret that the Eagles need wide receiver help. Many people, including myself, have mocked the team to trade up to grab one of the “big three”, but not here. With Lamb, Ruggs, and Jeudy all projected to go between picks 11-15, the Eagles find themselves in a spot where they can move back in the draft and still get the guy they want.
A position that’s not as deep is linebacker. The Ravens were trucked by Derrick Henry in the playoffs to the tune of 30 carries for 195 yards. They need a stout middle linebacker to help that rush defense. This is where the trade comes in.
The Eagles and Ravens already have a friendly relationship, as Harbaugh is a former Eagles coach, Joe Douglas went from the Ravens to the Eagles, and they had joint practices in August 2019. The Ravens see that the Patriots and Saints, both picking in front of them, need linebacker help. To ensure they get their guy, the Ravens send picks 28 and 92 (792 value) to the Eagles for picks 21 and 190 (815 value). Ravens get Kenneth Murray at 21 and the Eagles get...
First Round pick 28: WR Denzel Mims
In an interview with ESPN, Mims mentioned the Eagles as one of the teams heavily interested in his services:
https://twitter.com/simcoxstephen/status/1246182919116410887?s=21
If the Eagles do have Mims in their sights, pick 28 could be the sweet spot to get him. With the Vikings, and maybe Saints, needing receiver help, it could get tricky. But in this mock, the Vikings take Justin Jefferson, leaving the 6’3” athletic freak to be selected by Philadelphia.
Mims’ biggest knock is his route tree, which can be deemed elementary at best.
46.05% of his routes in 2019 were either a “go route” (25.49%) or a “hitch route” (20.59%), according to ProFootballFocus. His next highest percentage was a slant route at 11.76%. Having just two routes in his arsenal isn’t quite ideal for the NFL.
However, he brings 4.38 speed to a team that’s said to be looking to add speed. He creates separation and can track a deep ball, two things that were severely lacking on the Eagles in 2019. Check out this match up with top cornerback prospect Troy Pride Jr. at the Senior Bowl:
https://twitter.com/bradkelly17/status/1220417937959505920?s=21
For those asking, an NFL ref was officiating the play and did not deem it to be OPI. Mims provides a skill set desperately needed on the Eagles. D.K. Meltcalf’s lack of a college route tree didn’t seem to hinder his early NFL success, neither should Mims’.
Second Round pick 53: CB A.J. Terrell
Darius Slay is a much welcomed addition to the corner back room, so is Nickell Robey-Coleman, but the additions shouldn't end there.
As it stands now, the corner depth is Slay, Robey-Coleman, Sidney Jones, Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas, and Cre'Von LeBlanc. Jalen Mills should still see time at corner, although he will be mainly safety.
The Eagles allowed the 14th most passing yards in 2019, the 12th most touchdowns, had the 11th fewest interceptions, and the coverage was so soft that they were ranked 30th in average depth per target at 9.6 yards per target, according to Pro Football Reference.
The necessity for better corners and cornerback play is there, and that's where A.J. Terrell comes in. Terrell was the least targeted corner in the nation according to PFF, averaging 9.4 snaps before seeing a pass come his way.
He ran a 4.42 40 at the combine, which meets the "fast" component of the draft board, and is very sticky on man coverage. He can play soft press as well, but will need to get better at tackling. What Eagles corner doesn't?
Terrell is an athlete that can fit very well in Schwartz's scheme. He could quickly become CB2 next to Slay and be CB1 once Slay is gone in a few years.
Check out the middle rounds on the next page!
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Third Round pick 92 (via Baltimore): LB Logan Wilson
It's time to add depth to a position that currently has five players in it.
Enter one of PFF's favorite linebackers: Logan Wilson.
https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1245788590530891778?s=20
Wilson is intelligent, can cover, and can defend against the run. All three traits are severely needed on the Eagles.
His 40 wasn't great (4.63), which was 12th among linebackers at the combine, but the most important drill for a linebacker is the 20 yard shuttle. This drill allows teams to see how players do with changing directions. Wilson's time was 4.27, 8th best at the combine.
The Eagles have already had Wilson in for a top 30 visit in early March, before Coronavirus shut everything down.
Third Round pick 103: S K'Von Wallace
Clemson had the fourth ranked passing defense in 2019, despite being absolutely torched by Liam Jen- um, I mean Joe Burrow in the National Championship game. So why not add more players from that secondary?
Wallace has been talked about as Isaiah Simmons-lite. A do-it-all player who did-it-all well. He projects as a nickel package player who can also be a special teams ace. Schwartz will absolutely love his versatility in his coverage packages and Wallace will be able to make an instant impact for Dave Fipp and his special teams unit.
He ran a 4.53 40 at the combine and had the fourth best vertical among safeties at 38.0 inches.
Fourth Round pick 127: WR Devin Duvernay
More speed please.
Joining Mims' 4.38 40, Duvernay brings his 4.39 into the fold.
More of a slot receiver (ERGGG WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE OF THOSE!), Duvernay has the ability to score wherever he gets the football. More importantly, yes more important than his speed, he had zero career drops in the redzone. Zero.
Here he is working top corner prospect Jaylon Johnson:
https://twitter.com/RyderM25/status/1245426696133595136?s=20
His tracking ability will be a welcomed change from the non-tracking ability from a former Eagles slot receiver.
Fourth Round pick 145: LB Davion Taylor
MORE SPEED.
Sorry for yelling.
But to continue to cater the report from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller that the Eagles' focus will be speed at all positions, I have to find some speedy players.
Taylor ran a 4.49 40 at the combine, posted a better 20 yard shuttle than Wilson with 4.26, and had the fourth best broad jump of the position with 127.0 inches. At his pro day, he was clocked at 4.37-4.39 seconds on his 40. SPEEEEEED.
His size concerns some scouts, 6'1" 224 lbs, but he has sideline to sideline speed and his effort will never be questioned. He'll need some time to develop his awareness on some plays, as he was a JUCO transfer to Colorado, but he has immense upside.
He was also All Pac-12 in the 100m dash. Watch him chase down this running back:
https://twitter.com/bjewell43_/status/1241506910014181379?s=20
Taylor was another top-30 visit for the Eagles.
Fourth Round pick 146: RB Lamical Perine
Doug Pederson LOVES his three RB rotations, so save me the "WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER RB".
As it stands, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Elijah Holyfield are the only running backs on the roster. Holyfield is almost certain to be on the practice squad, so there needs to be some competition.
Enter the 5'10" 216 lbs bowling ball that is Lamical Perine.
While his 4.62 40 time isn't the speed I have been focusing on, he provides a complementary skill set to Sanders and Scott. Perine could be a fixture in Doug Pederson's passing attack, while also provided in between the tackles punishment to opposing defensive lines. His ability to protect the quarterback is also an extremely important concept needed for the Eagles, so his fit on the team is excellent.
You can't tell me you don't want this on the team:
https://twitter.com/fatpoust/status/1218562979551236096?s=20
Fifth Round pick 168: QB Anthony Gordon
The Eagles have three quarterbacks on the roster, Wentz, Sudfeld, and Kyle Lauletta. Lauletta is another player destined for further grooming on the practice squad, so another player must be brought in. There's talk that a veteran may be signed, Josh McCown comeback or Joe Flacco, but it's looking like the Eagles will be drafting a late round project.
Anthony Gordon has all the physical tools to be an NFL starter, but his footwork is a mess. His decision making is questionable and he has little experience in reading legitimate coverages. But, he has a big arm.
Working with Pederson, Scangarello, Taylor, and Morhinweg could prove wonders for Gordon. Learning from Wentz ain't so bad either.
UDFA targets
As you can see, I didn't select an offensive lineman. I expect the Eagles to be heavily involved in the undrafted free agent market for linemen. There will be a lot of quality players in the market, as many expect to fall out of the draft due to other positions being prioritized. The Eagles found a potential gem in the undrafted free agent pool last year in T.J. Edwards, they could find another this year. Expect the same for edge rushers, but that could change if a certain player from a certain team in Florida gets traded to the Eagles.
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
