The 2021 NFL Draft is now less than three weeks away, and with 11 picks, Howie Roseman and the Eagles are facing perhaps more pressure than ever to find starting players throughout the draft.
The chances of them taking a quarterback in the first round seem slim after their decision to trade back from No. 6 to No. 12. Of course, the chances of them drafting Jalen Hurts seemed slim last year. Ask Carson Wentz how that turned out.
So while they likely won't be taking a top quarterback, nothing should be ruled out when it comes to the Eagles, who for better or worse, have shown a commitment to investing premium assets into the position.
Which quarterbacks could they target this year?
Here are four quarterbacks to keep an eye on in the 2021 NFL Draft:
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 228 pounds
College Stats: 423/618, 5,701 yards, 67 TD, 9 INT, 1,123 rushing yards, 19 TD
Projected Round: 1st
Analysis: If the Eagles shock everyone and take a quarterback during the first round, chances are it will be Fields.
Why Fields?
Of the five quarterbacks most likely to be selected in the top of the first round, Fields seems the most likely to fall into a range where the Eagles could get him. Fields falling would be a mistake by the rest of the league as he has all the qualities you would want in a franchise quarterback. Fields can make all the throws, he has a rocket for an arm, he has shown he can read defenses, he is mobile, he seem to have great leadership qualities and he has won big games in big spots. In fact, Fields beat No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence when the two played this past season, significantly out playing him.
If the Eagles liked Hurts enough to take him last year, it isn't a stretch to say Fields would be near the top of their board at quarterback. If the San Francisco 49ers really are going to take Alabama's Mac Jones at No. 3, it would really only require NDSU's Trey Lance to go next at quarterback for Fields to start to fall. The Bengals and Dolphins aren't taking Fields at No. 5 or No. 6. The Detroit Lions might take a quarterback at No. 7, but they did just acquire Jared Goff. The Panthers just acquired Sam Darnold, so they likely won't be taking him. The Denver Broncos are a real possibility at No. 9, but if he makes it to No. 9, the Eagles are within striking range to move back up to get Fields if they want.
Chances are the Eagles will not end up with Fields. But like the 2020 NFL Draft taught us, never say never.
Kyle Trask, Florida
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 240 pounds
College Stats: 552/813, 7,386 yards, 69 TD, 15 INT, 54 rushing yards, 1 TD
Projected Round: 4th
Analysis: There is a steep drop-off after the top five quarterbacks. The No. 6 quarterback on most boards appears to be Trask, who coincidentally has a connection to new Eagles quarterback coach Brian Johnson. Johnson coached Trask during his time at Florida and got a career year out of the 6-foot-5 quarterback last season, as he threw 43 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. Trask is not a great athlete, but he does fit the mold of quarterbacks that Nick Sirianni has coached in the past as he has an accurate arm and gets rid of the ball quickly. Trask would be an interesting selection because he wouldn't present a direct threat to Hurts' chances of winning the starting quarterback job, but unlike Joe Flacco, he would be in the running to take it it if he were to outplay Hurts.
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 217 pounds
College Stats: 801/1,358, 9,661 yards, 71 TD, 27 INT, 1,609 rushing yards, 22 TD
Projected Round: 4th
Analysis: Mond is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft at the quarterback position. On paper, he seems to have it all, and his college production proves that. Mond put up huge numbers in college, throwing for almost 10,000 yards, 71 touchdowns and running in 22 more while playing against elite competition. The things Mond does well should translate to the NFL, as he gets rid of the ball quickly, is accurate on short passes, makes good decisions and is an excellent athlete. If there is a steal in this year's draft at the quarterback position it will likely be Mond in the middle rounds. Like Trask, the idea of Mond coming in and outplaying Hurts isn't crazy, and he could represent the actual competition the Eagles seem to want at the quarterback position.
Davis Mills, Stanford
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
College Stats: 287/438, 3,468 yards, 18 TD, 8 INT, 86 rushing yards, 3 TD
Projected Round: 4th
Analysis: It will be interesting to see where Mills goes as he seems to be flying up draft boards the closer the draft gets. A former top recruit, Mills started just 11 games during his time at Stanford, missing two games because of a knee injury. The lack of tape is going to hurt Mills, but he does have an intriguing skill set. Mills has a strong arm and is accurate in the short/middle part of the field, but struggles with his deep ball. Mills has shown he is willing to stand in the pocket and takes hits when it is needed to complete the pass. He is much more of a project than Trask is, but as a middle-round pick, he has the potential to develop into a cheap, quality backup — which is what the Eagles thought they were getting in Hurts before he took the job from Wentz.
Check Out Other Prospect Rankings for the Eagles in the 2021 NFL Draft:
** Running Back
** Wide Receiver
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
