Free agency is now one week old, and as the Eagles continue to make moves, the areas they need to address in the upcoming NFL Draft become clear.
Defensive end remains a priority. Running back is their biggest need. Overall depth, as they are one of the oldest teams in the league, is also an issue. At the same time, this team is clearly one that wants to win right now. They need quarterback Carson Wentz to have a big season, and surrounding him with a roster that will help him do that is crucial. That makes the balance in the draft — finding players that can help right now but also still have upside — a tricky one.
In Version 2.0 of my Eagles’ seven-round mock draft, the Eagles go all-in at the beginning of the draft, with a focus on the future towards the end.
1st rd, No. 14: (TRADE: No. 25 + No. 53): Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Size: 6-foot-6, 260 pounds
2018 stats: 12.0 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 53 total tackles
Analysis: Where Sweat will go in the first round is now up for debate after an
NFL.com report stated a pre-existing heart condition he has played with through college was discovered. Considering Sweat has played with the condition for years, however, chances are he still won't make it to No. 25 overall -- which means the Eagles will need to move up to get him. The Eagles are in need of an elite defensive end prospect and Sweat checks all the boxes. His stock soared after an amazing NFL Combine, and although his blazing 40-time isn’t the top reason the Eagles will go after him, his elite athleticism at the position is. What makes Sweat an even more attractive prospect is he has the stats to back up his freakish athleticism that made him shine at the Combine. The Eagles have the assets to move up for him with two second-round picks, and with even more compensatory picks coming in 2020, they can move up for Sweat without dealing their future draft picks a major blow. Grouping Sweat with Derek Barnett gives the Eagles two young defensive ends to be excited about. An NFL.com report on Sunday stated that Sweat was diagnosed
2nd rd, No. 57: Devin Singletary, RB, FAU
Size: 5-foot-7, 203 pounds
2018 stats: 1,348 yards, 22 touchdowns
Analysis: The Eagles haven’t used a pick in the first-or-second round on a running back since 2009, but that appears it will be changing. The cupboard is extremely bare at running back, and after passing on all of the top players in free agency, it sure seems like they will be using the draft to fill the massive hole in their offense. Singletary is a proven workhorse out of the backfield, is extremely elusive in the open field and has “No. 1 running back” potential written all over him. Singletary should be able to come in and contribute right away.
4th rd, No. 127: Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
Size: 5-foot-10, 202 pounds
2018 stats: 739 yards, six touchdowns…20 catches, 99 yards
Analysis: Back-to-back running backs? Sounds crazy, and maybe it is, but the Eagles have repeatedly said this offseason that they want to use a backfield by committee. What better way to do that then drafting two, young running backs to lead their backfield for years to come? Love is a value pick in the fourth round, as his torn ACL that ended his final college season has hurt his stock. When healthy, Love has an extremely intriguing skillset, as he is elusive in the open field, has breakaway speed and — despite his limited reps in the passing game — appears to be able to be a factor as a receiver at the next level.
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: Sheldrick Redwine, S, Miami
Size: 6-foot, 196 pounds
2018 stats: 64 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, 3 interceptions
Analysis: The Eagles love safeties that can also play man coverage if needed, and Redwine checks that box in a major way. Redwine started out his college career as a cornerback and is big enough to cover tight ends if needed. Redwine isn’t ready to step into the NFL and play right away, but with Cory Undlin coaching him up, he could end up being a steal for the Eagles in the fifth round.
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 filled a major need when they added DeSean Jackson at the start of free agency, but at 32-years old, Jackson is not a long-term answer for a big-play, deep threat. Dortch could be. 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.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
