The NFL Combine will get underway this week, the official kickoff and beginning of draft season.
The Eagles enter the 2019 NFL Draft with plenty of needs and some major holes to fill. Considering the age of the roster, and the positions of need, this draft could end up deciding just how successful this team is for years to come.
Although the Combine isn't the only factor in who the Eagles draft, it will play a large role. So over the next week, plenty could change.
Entering the Combine, however, here is Version 1.0 of an Eagles' 7-Round Mock Draft:
1st rd, No. 25: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Size: 5-foot-10, 168 pounds
2018 Stats: 75 catches, 1,318 yards, 10 touchdowns
Analysis: Brown fits everything the Eagles need on offense perfectly. He is an explosive player. He is a deep threat. He should help the offense right away by simply being on the field. The Eagles have tried over the last two years to find a player who can stretch the field. Torrey Smith, Mike Wallace, Shelton Gibson, Mack Hollins — none of them got the job done. Brown not only fills that need, but gives the Eagles a cost-effective, big-play threat on offense for the next four years if he reaches his potential. Brown reaching No. 25 overall once seemed like a stretch, but if his recent surgery for a LisFranc injury that will sideline him until June does indeed make him drop, the Eagles should run to the phone to make him their first-round pick.
2nd rd, No. 53: Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
Size: 6-foot-5, 285 pounds
2018 Stats: 61 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
Analysis: The Eagles have made the playoffs two of the last three seasons off of the play of their defensive line. The high level of play they have gotten over the last few years is in danger, with Brandon Graham set to hit free agency, Chris Long's status up in the air and Derek Barnett coming off of shoulder surgery. Allen is considering one of the most pro-ready defensive ends in the draft, and some view him as a better prospect than Harold Landry, his former Boston College teammate that had a very solid rookie year for the Tennessee Titans. Allen's ability to make plays in a variety of ways — and make big plays — is likely extremely attractive to the Eagles.
2nd rd, No. 57: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S/CB, Florida
Size: 6-foot, 208 pounds
2018 Stats: 71 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 4 interceptions, 2 touchdowns
Analysis: The Eagles still have a need at safety even with Rodney McLeod coming back. They need one in two ways. First, McLeod is no guarantee to be back in 2019 and the team doesn't have a player behind him to develop. It is even worth it for the Eagles to start considering developing a player to take over for Malcolm Jenkins one day, or at least ease his workload. Second, the Eagles need a third safety for next season to play meaningful snaps. Gardner-Johnson fills both of those needs. He is comfortable going up to the line of scrimmage and playing man coverage if needed, but is also an elite safety prospect. His tackling isn't great, but the fact he made 12 plays behind the line of scrimmage last season is very impressive.
4th rd, No. 127: Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois
Size: 6-foot-2, 310 pounds
2018 Stats: 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks
Analysis: No defensive tackle until the fourth round? That might sound crazy as Roseman called the draft a potentially "historic" one at the position. The last time Roseman called a draft class "historic", however, was at running back in 2017 — and he didn't select a running back until the fourth round. Roseman should be able to find a starting defensive tackle in the fourth round in this year's draft, and Saunders is a player that in many drafts might go in the first two rounds — and he might not even make it to the fourth this year. Saunders is an elite athlete, very strong and great against the run. He is a little undersized, but he should fit perfectly next to Fletcher Cox.
4th rd, No. 138: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Size: 6-foot-6, 311 pounds
Analysis: The Eagles are very high on Jordan Mailata, which might cause them to ignore the offensive tackle position until later on — that and the fact it isn't a very strong draft at the position. Howard played at a small school, but he is an elite athlete who is a coveted tight end. Howard needs some coaching, and won't be able to play right away, but he gives the Eagles another prospect with plenty of tools to develop for the future.
5th rd, No. 163: Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
Size: 5-foot-9, 200 pounds
2018 Stats: 271 carries, 1,760 yards, 18 touchdowns…27 catches, 278 yards, 1 touchdown
Analysis: The Eagles are going to address the running back position in a major way this offseason, whether it be at the top of the draft or in free agency. My guess is that comes in free agency, which means they won't be using a high pick on a running back. Williams could end up being a steal, however, as he is a strong runner but also capable of making an impact in the passing game. What really makes Williams a strong pick in the fifth-round, however, is how good he is as a pass blocker — which means he will be able to play right away for the Eagles.
6th rd, No. 197: Greg Dortch, WR, Wake Forrest
Size: 5-foot-9, 170 pounds
2018 Stats: 89 catches, 1,078 yards, 8 touchdowns
Analysis: The Eagles' offense badly needs speed, which is why even after taking Brown in the first round, taking a chance on Dortch in the sixth still makes sense. Dortch is a home-run threat each time he touches the ball and is going to need a head coach that will get creative in how he is used. Dortch won't start, but as a role player and a change-of-pace option, he could make an impact with Doug Pederson calling the plays.
6th rd, No. 208: Shareef Miller, DE, Penn State
Size: 6-foot-5, 259 pounds
2018 Stats: 41 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks
Analysis: Miller could end up going before the sixth round, especially after a strong 2018 season. Still, he is considered a bit of a one-trick pony at this point, and doesn't come to the NFL with an arsenal of pass rushing moves. His combination of size, speed and strength makes him worth taking a flyer on this late in draft, however, especially with how badly the Eagles need youth at defensive end.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
