Mock Draft Rebuild Series: Philadelphia Eagles
Has there ever been a team like the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023? They were 10-1, looked like one of if not the best team in the NFL at points, and looked to be on the path to head back to the Super Bowl. In their final 6 games, they went 1-5, losing to the Giants twice and the Cardinals at home. It wasn’t a good look for Philly, limping into the post season and getting bounced by the Buccaneers after a Super Bowl appearance last season. But fear not Philadelphia. This mock draft can fill holes that are currently on the team, and maybe give the Eagles a few stud rookies to contribute to what should be a much better 2024. Keep in mind, the NFC East hasn’t had a repeat division winner since 2004, so it bodes well that the Eagles have a decent shot at winning the division crown once again.
As always, we will be using the PFF (Pro Football Focus) Mock Draft Simulator to assist us in this draft, as well as any PFF rankings that come with the upcoming class of rookies. Lets begin:
Round 1, Pick 22
What holes do the Eagles really have? For starters, they are thin at Wide Receiver. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are a stud duo, but outside of them who is it? Dallas Goedert is a top 10 Tight End in the league, but he was injured towards the end of the season, and it remains to be seen if he will be the same when he returns. The Eagles are also thin in the Secondary. Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside is a solid duo, but both are getting up there in age, and behind them the depth is thin. This draft class is very deep at Wide Receiver, so if one of the top guy’s doesn’t fall, it would be better to wait on that position until the second round.
Pick: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama
Terrion Arnold is a very physical, very active Cornerback. In two seasons at Alabama, he has 6 interceptions, 5 of them coming last year alone. Arnold is also very aggressive in the run game, scoring a 90.6 run defense grade per PFF. The only question for the Eagles is this: Will Arnold be there? The issue with the top corners in this class, is that there is very little that separates them. Cooper DeJean from Iowa can be the first corner off of the board in the top 10 picks. He could also fall to the mid to high teens, and no one would really question it because they are all so close. Terrion Arnold can do the same. He can have his name called in the 10-13 range, or fall to the low to mid twenties. Philadelphia will likely go Corner in the first round, it is just a matter of who.
Round 2, Pick 50
The first of two 2nd round picks for the Eagles, there is still the need of Wide Receiver. In addition, for all of the good and dominant things that the Eagles have done on the defensive side of the ball in recent memory, Linebacker has been a weak point of this defense for some time. Off ball linebackers are very rarely selected in the first round, but the second round is where they call home. If the Eagles can address both of those holes with their two second round picks, the rest of the draft can be about finding depth, taking chances, and filling out your roster.
Pick: Jermaine Burton, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Jermaine Burton isn’t the most physically imposing Wide Receiver, standing at 6’0, 194 lbs. He will beat you with his route running, and his ability to catch the ball outside of the numbers. What makes Burton so attractive to NFL teams is his ability to catch the ball, in and out of traffic. In 2023, Burton had 0 recorded drops, and had a 56.3% contested catch rate, putting him in roughly the 80th percentile. Burton also graded out as the 63rd Wide Receiver in 2023, out of 1022 eligible Wide Receivers. Adding Burton to be the 3rd option as a rookie with A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith would give Jalen Hurts just one more weapon to throw to. In a few seasons, he may take over that #2, or that #1 spot if he continues to grow.
Round 2, Pick 54
As I mentioned above, the biggest holes that the Eagles had to fill in the second round were Wide Receiver and Linebacker. Drafting Burton fills the immediate hole at Wide Receiver. Taking the best available, off ball Linebacker with their second 2nd round pick, would give a lot of relief to the front office in Philadelphia. The Eagles have this draft pick as a trade from the Saints that was made in 2022.
Pick: Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker, Texas A&M
Edgerrin Cooper is considered by some to be the best Linebacker in the 2024 draft, right up there with Peyton Wilson from NC State. Cooper is a very football savy Linebacker that thrives in downhill, run situations. Cooper ranked as the 2nd best Linebacker in 2023 out of 775 total Linebackers per PFF. And at 6’3, 224 lbs, he has the size to move well, and still make impact plays in the box as a rookie. In 2023, Cooper had 83 total tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Cooper may get some first round consideration if there is a bigger need for Linebackers, but if he is here at 54, or even if he is there at 50, the Eagles would be foolish to not take him.
Round 3, Pick 97
At this point in the draft, the Eagles have addressed all of the major needs that they have, which gives them the ability to draft for depth, find a replacement for someone who is fixing to retire, or take a chance on someone that has fallen in the draft. The Eagles offensive line is getting up there in age, with Jason Kelce teasing with retirement earlier in the year, and Lane Johnson being 33 years old and injured in the last few seasons. The Eagles defensive line as well, outside of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, is also getting up there in age. Both are position groups that can, and likely will, be addressed in the later rounds of the draft.
Pick: Patrick Paul, Tackle, Houston
Patrick Paul is a very large human being, standing at 6’7, 315 lbs. While he is massive, he moves very well, and can plug into an NFL system fairly easily. Playing his entire career at Left Tackle for the Cougars, Paul gave up 7 QB hits and 5 sacks in 3 seasons. With a season grade of 81.1, Paul ranked as the 19th best tackle in 2023, out of 628 eligible tackles. While the need for a tackle isn’t massive for the Eagles, Lane Johnson will be retiring in the next few seasons, and it is good to have that position locked up before he does. While Johnson does play Right Tackle, Paul will have a few seasons to make the transition to the right side of the offensive line.
Round 5, Pick 160
The first of 4 5th round selections, the Eagles are all about depth at this point. Who can help this team win now? Is there someone who can come in for a few plays and help this offense or defense? Are there guys who will make this team better as practice squad guys? Finding those players will be the focus of the Philadelphia Eagles in the later rounds.
Pick: Isaac Guerendo, Running Back, Louisville
The 6’1, 225 lbs Running Back from Louisville is an interesting prospect. Guerendo started his college career in 2019 at the University of Wisconsin. After being used sparingly, he transferred to Louisville before the 2023 season. Guerendo played for 5 seasons between the two programs, and he comes into the NFL draft with very fresh legs. Guerendo has only carried the ball in college 231 times in 5 seasons. Last year in 2023, he totaled 810 yards on 132 carries, good for 6.1 Yard per Attempt (YPA). He also added 11 rushing touchdowns to his total. Guerendo doesn’t have to be an every down back in the NFL, nor would he be one in Philadelphia. The Eagles have long employed a Running Back by Committee approach (RBBC) to ensure that no one has to do it all. Guerendo is going to fit right in wherever he goes in the NFL, and he has the legs left to be successful in his first season.
Round 5, Pick 170
Pick: Beau Brade, Safety, Maryland
Brade suffered from returning to college for another season. His 2022 year was far better than his 2023. That being said, Brade can still offer depth and utility to the Eagles here in the 5th round. Mainly splitting his time between being a Deep Safety and a Box Safety, Brade also recorded time as a Slot Corner and an Outside Corner. Brade operates better as a run support defender within the box. Beau Brade can develop to become a solid depth piece for the Eagles, but his coverage skills and tackling skills will need to be improved on once he makes it to the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 171
Pick: Mekhi Wingo, Defensive Lineman, LSU
Wingo operates primarily as a B-Gap defender, though he can move to line up over the tackle if necessary. At 6’1, 295, Wingo has the size to hold up in those gaps as well. If he were to move further in on the line, he may struggle with the larger offensive lineman. In 3 seasons at LSU, he totaled 5 QB hits, and 11 sacks. Wingo has show that he does have the capabilities of getting after the Quarterback, but he needs to do it on a more consistent basis. Joining a team like the Eagles who have Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox would give Wingo the athletes he needs to model his game after in order to be successful in the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 178
Pick: Javon Foster, Tackle, Missouri
Foster, much like Patrick Paul, has played his entire career at Missouri at Left Tackle. Foster is a very good zone run tackle, as well as a good pass blocking tackle. In 3 seasons at Missouri, he gave up 6 QB hits and 7 QB sacks, with only 1 sack coming in 2023. Foster graded out as the 7th best tackle in the country out of 628 eligible tackles in 2023, making him a potential steal this late in the draft. The Eagles could look to move Foster to a guard position, or see if he can continue to grow and thrive at Left Tackle. You can never have enough depth, or athletes on the offensive line.
Round 7, Pick 240
With their final pick of the 2024 draft, the Eagles are sitting very pretty. They have filled out all necessary holes that they can in the draft. With a good free agency class, there is no reason that this team can’t be one of the best teams in the NFL again next season. So what do they do with their final pick? It is no different than all of their other late round selections: Depth.
Pick: Willie Roberts, Cornerback, Louisiana Tech
Willie Roberts graded out as one of the better zone coverage corners last season, with a grade of 81.2, putting him around the 90th percentile in the country. His man coverage on the other hand, is mediocre at best. Roberts is also on the smaller side for corners, standing at 5’11, 190 lbs. If he is done growing, then Roberts will have to look for a spot in the slot, or as a nickel corner. However, Roberts did allow only a 33.3% completion percentage against him last season. Roberts is good in a zone scheme, and can thrive in the right system. He can also learn from Darius Slay and James Bradberry, two of the better man coverage corners in the league.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been in the upper echelon of the NFL teams for the last few seasons. If they want that to continue, a draft class such as this, coupled with a very good Free Agency class, is necessary. The Eagles are one of the most well run organizations in the NFL, and I fully believe that Howie Roseman will continue to do just that, and will have the Eagles ready to go for the 2024 NFL season.
This concludes the NFC East Rebuilds. We will be moving to the NFC North next, consisting of the Bears, Packers, Vikings, and Lions.
