After months of mock drafts, speculation and rumors, the Eagles' 2021 NFL is in the books — and they have nine new players on their roster.
Here is everything you need to know about each player in the team's draft class:
1st round, Pick 10: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds
College Stats: 235 catches, 3,965 yards, 46 touchdowns (47 games)
Projected Round: 1st (top 15)
Analysis: Smith is a lot like LSU's Justin Jefferson last season. He has great hands, is a great route runner and has dominated at the highest levels (and biggest stages) of college football. Like Jefferson, Smith has one issue everyone is focusing on, and it seems to be impacting his draft stock. For Jefferson, it was that he played in the slot. For Smith, it is his weight. Jefferson was the best rookie receiver in the NFL last season. If the Eagles can look pasts the overblown concern around Smith's weight, they might get the best rookie receiver as well if they take Smith at 12.
2nd round, Pick 37: Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 333 pounds
Analysis: Dickerson spent his first two years at Florida State before transferring to Alabama, where he won the 2020 Rimington Trophy as the best center in the country, Pro Football Focus listed Dickerson as the top-rated run-blocking center (92.8) and No. 2 among FBS centers overall (91.5). He ended four-of-his-last-five seasons with a season-ending injury, twice to his ankle and tearing the ACL in each knee.
3rd round, Pick 73: Milton Williams, DL, Louisana Tech
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 284 pounds
2020 Stats: 22 solo tackles, 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 4 1/2 sacks
Analysis: Williams is one of the most athletic defensive tackles in the draft, drawing comparisons to Aaron Donald. His draft stock soared after a strong Pro Day workout, but he is still considered a bit of a project on the field.
4th round, Pick 123: Zech McPherson,CB, Texas Tech
Height/Weight: 5-11, 195
College Stats: 22 games, 104 total tackles, 4 INT, 15 PDs, 2 fumble recoveries at Texas Tech
Analysis: McPhearson fills a much needed role in the Eagles defensive side at corner. He sits in the Tier 2 defensive backs in this draft. The Columbia, MD native comes from an extremely athletic family and originally committed to Penn State for both football and baseball before transferring to Texas Tech. He has solid cover skills and should compete for a starting position on the team in 2021.
5th round, Pick 150: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
Height/Weight: 5-8, 201
College Stats: 18 games played, 235 rushing attempts, 1,550 yards, 14 TD, 57 receptions, 662 yards, 3 TD at Memphis
Analysis: Gainwell is incredibly valuable in the passing game, and that's something we've seen from offenses Nick Sirianni has run with both the Colts and the Chargers. Could see Gainwell used in a Danny Woodhead role.
He sat out the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
6th round, Pick 189: Marlton Tuipulotu, DL, USC
Height/Weight: 6-2, 307 (pronounced TOO-ee-poo-LOE-too)
College Stats: 49 games played, 104 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles for USC
Analysis: Tuipulotu's game is not yet ready for the big stage, although he impressed with his Senior Bowl performance. His track record at USC is solid and he brings good size to the line. He could bring some versatility on the inside for the Eagles and his skill set definitely translates to the NFL. He will be a project as the Eagles look to bulk their line with some young talent behind Javon Hargrave.
6th round, Pick 191: Tarron Jackson, DL, Coastal Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-2, 254
College Stats: 48 games, 195 total tackles, 26.5 sacks, 3 PDs, 6 forced fumbles
Analysis: Jackson flashed potential as an underclassmen and then became an All-American by his senior year. He finished his career at Coastal as the all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss (44). He's played inside, outside and head-up over the offensive tackle, but his production might not translate to the NFL. He projects as a base end
6th round, Pick 224: JaCoby Stevens, DB/LB
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 197 pounds
College Stats: 36 games, 190 tackles, 4 INT, 15 PD, 1 FF
Analysis: Although he was a safety in college, the Eagles announced Stevens as a linebacker, meaning he appears be their latest attempt at trying to convert a college safety into a starting NFL linebacker. Stevens could have success making the move, as he is a strong tackler, is excellent blitzing and spent a ton of time at the line of scrimmage at LSU, as opposed to playing deep.
7th round, Pick 234: Patrick Jonson, LB, Tulane
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 240 pounds
College Stats: 41 games, 132 tackles, 21 sacks, 11 pass deflections, 6 forced fumbles
Analysis: Johnson is undersized for a defensive end, but most analysts think he might be better suited at linebacker, which the Eagles seem to agree with as they announced him as a linebacker. Johnson is an excellent athlete that had impressive production in college. He comes to the NFL with a strong set of pass rushing moves and could be used right away on obvious passing downs.
