The 2019 NFL Draft is now just one day away, and still, it is hard to get a read on what direction the Eagles might go at No. 25 overall.
Part of the reason is how late they are picking and how much mystery there at the top of the draft this year. Another reason is the Eagles have a number of different needs they can look to fill.
When projecting what the Eagles might do, however, one thing that has to be kept in mind is Howie Roseman's clear desire to go with a linemen. Roseman believes in building the Eagles along the lines. With an extremely deep defensive line class, it is safe to say Roseman is hoping to go to bed late Thursday night with a new, elite defensive line prospect on his team.
With that in mind, here are the seven players I think are most likely to be the Eagles' pick at No. 25 overall:
Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State: Simmons comes with plenty of baggage. He is currently recovering from a torn ACL. There was a video released of him punching a woman on the ground in 2016. Those are the reasons he will likely be available at No. 25 overall. If he was healthy and didn't have any character concerns, however, Simmons might be a top-3 pick. When the Eagles looked ahead to the 2019 NFL Draft last year, trading out of No. 32, it was likely done with a player like Simmons on their mind. Simmons is strong against the run but is also an elite pass rusher, as he had nearly as many quarterback hurries as his teammate Montez Sweat did last season (30 for Sweat, 22 for Simmons per Sports Info Solutions). The Eagles have shown they are willing to take risks on players. If Simmons is available, Roseman is going to be forced to make a tough decision.
Montez Sweat, DE, Texas A&M: Sweat, like Simmons, is only going to drop because of health concerns — only Sweat has a heart issue teams are concerned about as opposed to an ACL. If the Eagles are comfortable with the medicals, they won't think twice about taking Sweat. Sweat is not only an elite athlete, and worth taking off of his potential alone, but he also has a proven track record of production to be worthy of the pick. Sweat has totaled 22.5 sacks over the last two seasons to go along with a whopping 30.5 tackles for a loss. The Eagles badly need an elite defensive end prospect. Sweat checks off all the boxes.
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson: Only in this year's class would a player like Ferrell fall all the way to No. 25. Ferrell, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds with long arms, has totaled 20 sacks the last two seasons to go along with 38 tackles for a loss. Ferrell doesn't get the attention he deserves because of the other elite prospects along the defensive line he played with at Clemson, but he is every bit the pass rusher that Sweat is. Ferrell finished last season with 39 hurries, 26 hits and three forced fumbles, showing he is a player that is a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame: The Eagles address their glaring need at defensive tackle but signing Malik Jackson this offseason, but they still badly need a third defensive tackle to play behind Jackson and Fletcher Cox. Tillery checks off a number of different boxes for the Eagles. First, he can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, allowing him to move all around the line. Second, he is a late bloomer, as he has only played defensive line for four years and has improved each year. Third, he is strong against the run but has also shown some potential as a pass rusher. Moreso than any other prospect, Tillery checks all the boxes for the Eagles.
Cody Ford, T, Oklahoma: If the Eagles don't have a defensive linemen they like at No. 25 overall, they will be sitting in the draft room hoping their is an offensive linemen they like there. Whether Ford will be there at No. 25 overall is unclear, but if he is, he will be on the short list of players the Eagles will consider. Ford has the ability to play both tackle and guard, meaning the Eagles wouldn't be locked into playing him at one spot. They could put him at tackle in 2020 if Jordan Mailata doesn't develop into a starter and Jason Peters is gone. They could put him at guard over Isaac Seumalo. Either way, Ford would give the Eagles something they haven't had in a long time — an elite offensive line prospect.
Garrett Bradbury, G/C, North Carolina State: Things didn't work out so great for Roseman the last time he took a guard in the first round (Watkins, Danny), but Bradbury might make him look past that traumatic pick. Bradbury can play either center or guard, and could start right away if Brandon Brooks isn't ready in Week 1. In the long run, Bradbury could be Jason Kelce's eventual replacement.
Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia: Roseman clearly values the following positions — defensive line, offensive line, quarterback and cornerback. The Eagles aren't taking a quarterback at No. 25 overall, so if there isn't a linemen they like, cornerback is next up and that could lead to Baker being the pick. Baker is a tall, physical cornerback that has No. 1, lockdown potential on the outside. The Eagles have plenty of cornerbacks on the roster, but there is an argument to be made that none have the upside Baker does. With only Avonte Madoxx signed past 2020, cornerback is a need, and Baker will likely be the best on the board at No. 25.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
