The Top 12 Picks of the Draft

The Top 12 Picks of the Draft. Howie Roseman and the Eagles made a move last week and people are losing their minds. Let’s take a look at how all this could shake out.

Picks 1-6

Jacksonville Jaguars: Not gonna waste my words on this one. Trevor Lawrence. It’s a Lock!

New York Jets: A part of me still thinks Howie is stocking up on drafts picks to trade for this #2 spot. However, being realistic Joe Douglas is making this pick and it is Zach Wilson. He dazzled everyone at his pro day showing off an NFL-ready arm.

San Francisco 49ers: #3 originally being the Miami Dolphins pick. The Niners giving up so much draft capital tells me one thing. Everyone knows the #1 and #2 overall pick already and the Niners are in love with the next quarterback that will be available. Trey Lance is another who impressed at his pro day. With Jimmy G already announce to be the day 1 starter for San Fran. Trey Lance taking a backseat for a year to develop and study is exactly what the Niners have in mind.

Atlanta Falcons: In what most people thought would be a no-brainer for the Falcons to find the heir apparent to Matt Ryan, instead they extended Ryan through the 2023 season. So what is the next best option? Get the best left tackle in the draft, Penei Sewell. They gotta keep Matty Ice upright if they have any hope at another run for the Lombardi.

Cincinnati Bengals: This is one that is just an all the stars are aligning type of pick. With AJ Green now gone, the Bengals are in need of an offensive weapon. Enter Joe Burrows’ favorite target back in 2019, Ja’Marr Chase. Reunited and it feels so good…

Miami Dolphins: #6 originally the Philadelphia Eagles pick. The Dolphins traded back to #12 with the 49ers, only to then trade back up with the Eagles. Much like Burrow and Chase. We here have Tua and DeVonta. Miami already having their quarterback in place they sat back and took full advantage of a QB needy team coming a-knocking. Here, with now, a few extra draft picks the Dolphins (virtually) run to the podium to hand their draft card in. With the 6th overall pick, 2020/21 Heisman Trophy winner, Devonta Smith

Picks 7-12

Detroit Lions: Being one year removed from trading shutdown corner Darius Slay to the Eagles. The Lions need to restock their defense. Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II is the perfect start to do just that.

Carolina Panthers: Carolina hangs back and lets their new quarterback fall to them. OSU’s Justin Fields, although a bit raw and considered a project. Fields gets his opportunity to step in and work with Matt Rhule and Teddy Bridgewater.

Denver Broncos: The only thing missing from what would be a very solid offense is the most important piece. The Quarterback. Since the retirement of Peyton Manning, it has been a revolving door of players under center trying to right this ship. With a top 10 pick in this year’s draft. A QB to Denver is a lock! Mac Jones makes the most sense here.

Dallas Cowboys: Two things could happen here. 1) The Cowboys draft youth on the Offensive Line for Dak with Rashawn Slater. 2) The Cowboys draft fast-rising Cornerback, Jaycee Horn that they are most rumored to be interested in. That is the direction I am choosing to go here. Horn along with his impressive pro day has been able to talk the talk to set his draft stock soaring.

New York Giants: I don’t think it’s a secret the Giants love what? No, not that. Ok, that. But what else, Linebackers! With the newly acquired Adoree Jackson, their secondary is stacked. They have a good receiving corp. Saquon (when healthy). And what they think is a franchise quarterback. This may be the biggest lock of the draft. If Micah Parsons falls to 11. Micah Parsons is the pick. That’s all I have to say about that.

Philadelphia Eagles: 11 down, 1 to go. For sure the most important one to us all. I truly feel the Eagles still get their guy at #12. I think this draft is a different monster. Everyone needs a QB it seems and Howie took that and ran with it. Rumored trying to trade up to #3 with Miami for Zack Wilson. Having a close relationship with Joe Douglas (Jets) they already know their [Eagles] pick would be gone by #3.

What is wild is the Eagles actually did strike a deal with Miami but only after the trade back with the Niners to #12 who then flipped that pick with the Eagles for their #6 and additional picks going to the Birds.

Now, what does Howie do? Most will say it doesn’t matter. He will mess it up regardless. Me, I love the trade and think the fan base isn’t looking at the big picture. With the draft leaning towards a heavy dose of quarterbacks being taken within the Top 10, the Eagles moving back was smart. Not to mention, this is a trade most were calling for. Just not at this moment.

Anyone who looks at the draft like we do can of course see there will be plenty of options with a significant upgrade and game-changer ability still at #12. Kyle Pitts here would be best case scenario (IMO). You get arguably the best offensive weapon in this year’s draft and you recoup your 4th round pick and a first-rounder for the 2022 draft. Pitts is a monster. The only thing holding him back is being a “Tight End”. Anyone can see Pitts is not your typical Tight End. Being compared often to Raiders’ Darren Waller. Who is actually Wide Receiver turned Tight End.

For the sake of argument, CB Caleb Farley and DE Kwity Paye could also be had here as well. The point is the Eagles still have options to draft an impactful player at #12.

It probably will not shake out this way. There always seems to be a player or two that slips that we think are higher than they actually are on drafts boards. However, I’m willing to bet the Eagles can and will still get their guy after trading back. The Boo Birds will then have to find something else to complain about.

• Joey Sheeran
• Follow on Twitter: @Joey_EOP

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