The Philadelphia Eagles, after already trading down, currently own the No. 12 in tonight's first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here are some predictions from the hosts at SportsRadio94WIP.
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Angelo Cataldi
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama.
With one inspired pick, Howie Roseman can undo five years of horrible draft mistakes. Smith is ready to contribute right away, he’s the best route-runner in the draft, he’s sure-handed and — even though he’s small at 166 pounds — he’s durable. Oh, yeah. He also played two seasons with Jalen Hurts, so they have a built-in chemistry. It is the perfect No. 12 pick. So, of course, there’s absolutely no chance Howie will make it.
Joe DeCamara
While it certainly wouldn’t shock me to see the Birds take a WR, my prediction is they will stay at pick 12 and select South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Joe Giglio
If Howie Roseman is drafting for fan approval, he’ll take DeVonta Smith. If Howie Roseman is looking for value, he’ll trade down, grab more picks and end up with Kwity Paye or a guard from USC. If he’s listening to The Evening Show on WIP, he’ll take South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. I believe Howie is a listener. Horn will be the pick.
Ike Reese
Fingers crossed hoping Patrick Surtain II is there at 12. If not, we go Jaycee Horn.
Ray Didinger
I've been locked in on what I call The Tuscaloosa Triangle -- DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and Patrick Surtain -- for weeks now so I'm not about to change. They are three blue chip players in areas of need for the Eagles -- wide receiver and cornerback. We can debate which is the greater need but that's splitting hairs. The fact is they need big time help in both areas.
I thought all along that at least one of the three would fall to the Eagles at No. 12. I think one of the receivers will go somewhere from No. 6 to No. 9. Surtain won't get past Dallas at No. 10. Now there are rumors the Giants may grab one of the Alabama receivers at No. 11 which means the Eagles may have to trade back into the top 10 to land one of those guys.
Maybe they get lucky and one falls to them at 12 or maybe they trade up but I still see the Eagles dipping into the Crimson Tide for the first time in a long time. I'll say it is DeVonta Smith.
Howard Eskin
Would love to see Eagles move up to get CB Patrick Surtain, but I think they may end up with CB Jaycee Horn even even they move back from 12 to do it.
Glen MacNow
The good news is that the Eagles will likely end up with one of the three Alabama stars (my partner Ray Didinger calls them "The Tuscaloosa Trio." The bad news is that it may be the one most Birds fans rank third among the group.
Howie Roseman's trade-down put him behind the Cowboys at 10, and unless Jerry Jones is completely batty, he'll opt for CB Patrick Surtain to shore up Dallas's terrible secondary. The trade also put the Eagles behind their division rival Giants, who need more receiving weapons for young QB Daniel Jones. So they could pick DeVonta Smith, the prize prospect everyone around here has been lusting for in recent weeks.
The Eagles consolation prize? The other Crimson Tide pass catcher, Jaylon Waddle. Now Waddle. like Smith, is small -- 5-9, 180 pounds. But he's got the tools needed to be an instant impact rookie . . . that is, of course, if the Eagles QB is able to get him the ball. But that's another story.
Jon Ritchie
South Carolina CB, Jaycee Horn.
I would rejoice and celebrate Howie Roseman’s uncharacteristic prowess if he were somehow able to swing Alabama CB Patrick Surtain as the Eagles’ top pick. Unfortunately, I expect the Cowboys to take him at #10.
Jaycee Horn’s measurables were phenomenal at his pro day. Hopefully, with proper coaching and technique tweaks, he can start immediately on the outside, opposite Darius Slay, and provide physical, penalty flag-free pass coverage to stymie some of our NFC East opponents’ firepower.
Jon Marks
My prediction: PAIN.
It’d be too easy to take the obvious pick, either the best wide receiver or corner sitting at 12. That’s why I predict the Eagles will trade back with Arizona Cardinals and take Kwity Paye with the 16th overall pick.
James Seltzer
Prepare yourselves for disappointment. The Eagles will select Kwitty Paye because Howie always does what we don’t want him to do. The only thing I will be confident about on Draft night is that Howie will screw it up.
Jack Fritz
The Eagles trade a 2022 2nd round pick to get to 9 and draft Patrick Surtain.
Tucker Bagley
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
A decade after taking an eventual Pro Bowler from Ann Arbor, the Eagles take the top pass-rusher in the draft and begin their rebuild along the defensive line. Paye is dripping with all of the physical assets of a dominant playmaker, but his production from college leaves a lot to be desired.
It's no secret the Eagles front office values pass rushers, they are currently slated to spend $59 million on their defensive line in 2021, $11 million more than any other team in the NFL. And while Howie Roseman has yet to ask for my draft advice, (484-885-7302 if you wanna chat, Howie), rebuilding an old, expensive defensive line should be the front office's top priority.
Jon Johnson
The thought of knowing the Eagles could have a lockdown corner, defensive end, or linebacker for years to come would be wonderful, but sadly, that’s not how Jeffrey Lurie views the team’s top pick in the draft.
Offense, offense, offense. Alabama WR Devonta Smith is, without question, the popular vote by fans and media alike. Question is, does the owner agree? In the end, scouts will have their board, Howie Roseman will have his, but Jeffrey Lurie has to approve/disapprove.
As much as I hated Roseman trading down weeks ago, if the Eagles can get Smith, I’ll be happy. As I type this, I know the brain trust will once again attempt to outsmart the league, and yet again, anger an entire fan base.