The actual picking in the 2019 NFL Draft is almost here and is ready to get underway, which will officially mark the end of #MockDraftSzn.
For the Eagles, this draft is a critically important one, as they enter it with three picks in the first two rounds and needs all over the board. Add in a potential contract extension for quarterback Carson Wentz, and the Eagles are in desperate need of young, elite talent on rookie deals.
With how important the draft is, you can bet that top personnel executive Howie Roseman is not going to get too cute. He will go with what he believes in, and invest these precious resources into positions he values.
So with that in mind, here is my fifth — and final — Eagles' seven-round mock draft.
1st Rd., No 25: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame: The Eagles want to end the first round with a defensive linemen. They need one and the top talent in the draft is along the defensive line. Tillery checks multiple critical boxes for them. First, he is a position of need, as the Eagles need a third defensive tackle for next season. Second, he is a long-term need, as Fletcher Cox isn't getting any younger and Malik Jackson is coming off of a down season in Jacksonville. Tillery has the ability to play all over the line, with scouts believing he is athletic enough to defensive end if needed. At 6-foot-6, 295 pounds, Tillery is huge for a defensive tackle and has long arms, measuring in at just over 34 inches. Finally, Tillery is considered a high-character prospect, something the Eagles clearly value.
2nd Rd., No. 53: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida: Perhaps the pre-draft hype that has vaulted Gardner-Johnson into the end of the first round is real. More than likely, the safety rankings that held true for most of the college season and into the beginning of the pre-draft process are the ones to go off of, which means there is a better chance than you think of Gardner-Johnson making it to the Eagles at No. 57. Gardner-Johnson is everything the Eagles need and want in a safety, as he spent almost all of his time at nickel cornerback last season in Florida, but has the experience and speed to play centerfield for the Eagles if needed. Gardner-Johnson is also a strong tackler and is capable of coming up to play the run if needed. He would be the Eagles' safety of the future, but also be able to step in as the third safety next year.
2nd Rd., No. 57: Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech: One benefit of this draft being so deep at defensive line is that players that might have been first-round picks in other years will fall much further than they usually would. Ferguson is a prime example. Ferguson has a extremely quick first step, something the Eagles really value, and it helped him get after the quarterback a ton last season. Ferguson finished his final season at Louisiana Tech with 63 total pressures — 39 quarterback hurries, 18 quarterback hits, 13 quarterback knockdowns and 17.5 sacks. He isn't extremely tall for a defensive end at just 6-foot-4, but has proven production and is strong enough athlete to be the player the Eagles can hope to pair with Derek Barnett over the next few years.
4th Rd., No. 128: Nate Davis, OG, Charlotte: The Eagles need an offensive guard for multiple reasons. First, Stefen Wisniewski is no longer on the team. Second, Brandon Brooks is recovering from a torn Achilles. Third, they are fairly old on the interior of the offensive line. Davis, 6-foot, 317 pounds, is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the draft and would be a steal in the fourth round. Davis is a great athlete for the position, and has experience playing all along the line, as he spent time at both right guard and right tackle in college. Davis still has some trouble picking up blitzes, but with Jeff Stoutland as his coach, the Eagles can make this pick and feel confident that Davis could one day be a starter for them.
4th Rd., No. 138: Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M: It wouldn't be surprising if the Eagles didn't select a running back, but if they do, there is a good chance it is Williams. The Eagles have shown a ton of interest in Williams, and by the running backs own admission, they are one of the teams he has heard from the most. It is easy to see why, as he is a strong runner that is also capable of making an impact in the passing game. Williams finished last season with 271 carries for 1,760 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns, but also 27 catches for 278 yards and one touchdown. What really makes Williams a strong prospect, however, is how good he is as a pass blocker — which means he will be able to play right away for the Eagles, and give the team two elite pass-blocking backs when paired with Jordan Howard.
5th Rd., No. 163: Hjalte Froholdt, G/C, Arkansas: Jason Kelce likely has two most seasons with the Eagles, but the team needs to start planning for his eventual retirement, and Froholdt would help them do just that. Froholdt has experience at both center and left guard at Arkansas, which will be attractive to the Eagles. Forholdt did not allow a sack in either of the last two seasons, according to the Arkansas's website, and could be a nice long-term developmental player for when Jason Kelce does eventually retire.
6th Rd., No. 197: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor: Hurd needs some developing at receiver to be a full-time player, but is worth a flyer in the sixth-round, and would immediately be a very interesting player to give head coach Doug Pederson. Hurd playing receiver at Baylor but only after switching from running back at Tennessee. Hurd, 6-foot-5, 227 pounds, could line up all over the field for the Eagles, as he lined up in the slot on 87% of his plays in college, but has the size for the outside and the experience in the backfield. It would be very interesting to see what Pederson could do with a player as explosive and versatile as Hurd. The Eagles had Hurd in for an official visit.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
