What the Eagles should do in the First Round of the Draft. I know, starting with the Mock Drafts already? Yes, I am. But more for the information part of where some of our favorite college players may fall and where the Eagles can fill some needs. The Eagles have a rare opportunity to have 3 first rounds picks and really add some talent.
Do I think the draft will actually play out how I want it to ‘mock’ to be? Absolutely not. However, let’s have some fun and take a look at some of these players who should be available for our Birds in the first round.
If the season were to end today they would hold the 14th (via MIA), 19th, & 23rd (via IND). This (obviously) is our first Mock of the season. Certainly will not be our last.
Mock Draft Simulator used: PFF – Pro Football Focus
For this article, we went all on the defensive side of the ball.
1. Kaiir Elam CB (Florida Gators)
Howie has a decision to make. Resign Steven Nelson, who has been good but the not player we thought we were getting. Zech McPhearson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL draft. The Eagles also traded for Tay Gowan in the Zach Ertz trade with the Cardinals. Does Howie make a splash and grab a cornerback here in the first round?
Having too many solid players in your secondary is never a bad thing to have. Slay is of course getting older. So it’s best to strike while the iron is hot. Here I have the Eagles drafting Kaiir Elam out of Florida.
Elam is a 6-foot-2 193 pounds long defender whose best fit is on a defense that plays zone and press coverage. Right up Jonathan Gannon’s alley right? Outside of Derek Stingley Jr dropping to the Eagles which is highly unlikely despite coming off an injury. Elam would be a no-brainer for Howie when/if he reaches the Eagles’ first pick of three in the draft.
2. DeMarvin Leal DE (Texas A&M Aggies)
DeMarvin is a monster of a man sitting at 6-foot-4 291 pounds. We hear it all the time, especially within the Eagles. You win games in the trenches. Already having arguably the best offensive line in the game. It is now time for the Eagles to sure up the defensive side of those trenches.
Josh Sweat is already inked to be a bookend of our defensive line for years to come. Brandon Graham will return for another season but to what degree. Howie drafted a number of Defensive Tackles last draft so we would think that is not that main priority when it comes down to the DLine w/ Fletcher Cox and Hargrave still under contract. The time is now to get a stud Defensive End that can make an immediate impact and become a disrupter.
Leal finished the 2021 season with 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 12 games for the Aggies.
3. Jordan Battle S (Alabama Crimson Tide)
Jumping back into the secondary with this pick. Rodney McLeod is an unrestricted free agent. The team could decide to bring him back on a team-friendly deal. However, that in no way should stop them from looking to get younger at the Safety position. Anthony Harris will probably not return as well having only signed a one-year deal.
Howie has been loving dipping his toes in the SEC pool as of late. This is no different. Alabama truly is a stepping stone for the nation’s best players until they get to the ‘League’ and dominate.
Jordan Battle, some are questioning if Battle will be the best Safety of the Nick Saban era. Which includes Minkah Fitzpatrick, Eddie Jackson, and most recent Xavier McKinney. Jordan is a 6-foot-1 210 pounds lock-down playing at an elite level. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter at which (first rd) draft pick the Eagles would add Jordan at. He is worth the pick. The Secondary needs to be addressed with a young group of talent and with more than one pick. This is their chance to get ahead of the game. Literally.
- Joey Sheeran
- Follow on Twitter: @Joey_EOP
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