The Eagles are going to be aggressive in the 2021 NFL Draft. That is to be expected when you have the most picks (11) of any team.
They have already made one trade, acquiring a 2022 first-round pick, and reports are swirling that they are looking to move back into the top 10. That is certainly a possibility if LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase makes it outside of the top six picks.
Another option the Eagles will definitely be looking into? Trading back into the first round.
Trading back into the first-round is something the Eagles will explore, as the advantage of having the rookie on a five-year deal, as opposed to just four years, is huge — especially for a team rebuilding.
The cost of moving up from the No. 37 overall pick in the second-round back into the first should’t be that bad, and having two third-round picks should make it easier. They could go from No. 37 to No. 26 if they were to trade No. 37 and the third-round pick obtained in the Carson Wentz trade (No. 84). If they were to offer up their own third-round pick, No. 70, in addition to No. 37 they could potentially get as high as No. 22.
So who would the Eagles make a move back into the first round for?
Here are five players to keep an eye on during draft night:
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Of all the players on this list, Barmore has the best chance of being the Eagles’ first pick — potentially even at No. 12. The Eagles have consistently shown they value the lines in the first round, as every first-round pick inside the top 15 Roseman has ever made has been either an offensive linemen, a defensive linemen or a quarterback. So Barmore is definitely in play at No. 12.
If he isn’t the pick, and he starts to fall, look for the Eagles to be aggressive trying to move back up.
Barmore, 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, finished last season with 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He plays a position the Eagles have shown they value, and with Fletcher Cox potentially playing his last season with the team, Barmore could be their defensive tackle of the future to pair with Javon Hargrave.
There is a chance Barmore is the first defensive linemen taken in the draft, but if he falls down to No. 22, expect the Eagles to be aggressive in an attempt to move up to get him.
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
At this point the debate seems to be between Barmore, Michigan’s Kwity Paye and Miami’s Jaelen Phillips for the title of best defensive line prospect in the draft. Of the three, Phillips has the best chance of falling deep into the first round — making it very possible the Eagles jump up from No. 37 to select him.
Phillips, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, has arguably the most upside of any pass rusher in the draft. He showed just how dominant he could be last season at Miami, finishing with 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks in just 10 games. He has a long wingspan and an extremely quick first step off the line of scrimmage, something the Eagles really value in their edge rushers. Combined with Josh Sweat, and potentially Derek Barnett, Philips would give the team an edge rusher to build around for the future.
There are some concerns with Phillips. He has suffered hand, wrist and ankle injuries in college, plus has dealt with multiple concussions. He briefly retired from football in 2018 when he was at UCLA, but returned to play for Miami.
If the Eagles are comfortable with his medical history, however, Phillips could be a steal at the end of the first round.
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
LSU is slowly becoming a wide receiver factory, and while he isn’t getting the buzz that Chase is, Marshall is definitely an intriguing prospect. Standing 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Marshall has been extremely consistent over his last two seasons at LSU, something neither Chase or even Justin Jefferson were during their final seasons in college. Marshall totaled 94 catches, 1,402 yards and 23 touchdowns over his final 19 games at LSU, topping 46 catches, 650 yards and 10 touchdowns in both the 2019 and 2020 season. He is an elite-level athlete with a large catch radius, which his why it is unlikely he will make it out of the first round.
If the Eagles don’t get a receiver at No. 12, however, trading back up — perhaps as high as No. 22 — to get Marshall is a possibility.
Kadarious Toney, WR, Florida
Like Marshall, Toney finds himself in the second ground of receivers in this year’s draft, behind Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. Unlike Marshall, however, some believe there is a chance Toney could find himself drafted ahead of Smith if the Heisman winner starts to fall due to concern about his small frame.
Toney is arguably the quickest receiver in the draft, at least among those expected to go in the first two rounds. Standing 6-foot, 193 pounds, Toney averaged 14.1 yards-per-catch last season at Florida on 70 catches. He scored 11 total touchdowns, one of which came on the ground, as he averaged 8.5 yards-per-carry on 19 attempts.
Toney is at his best after the catch, which could allow Nick Sirianni to get creative in how he uses him, but also has the speed to stretch the field — something the Eagles have been trying to find in the draft for years.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
Two things are very true about the Eagles. One, they need help at cornerback. Two, they enjoy bringing in players they have some kind of a history with.
Samuel Jr. checks off both of those boxes.
Samuel Jr., son of former Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, is one of the most interesting cornerback prospects in the draft. Standing just 5-foot-10, 184 pounds, Samuel has the same kind of instincts his father did, picking off three passes in eight games last season, and four overall during his final two seasons at Florida State. One of the main reasons the Eagles traded for Darius Slay last season was his history of creating turnovers, something Samuel’s dad certainly did as well.
Samuel Jr.’s stock seems to be rising, so while there is a chance he makes it to No. 37 overall, there is certainly no guarantee he does. If the Eagles don’t land a corner at No. 12, moving up for Samuel is certainly a possibility.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!