With the NFL Combine over it is time for #MockDraftSzn to officially begin.
This is a critical draft for the Eagles, something they aren't exactly hiding from. Howie Roseman has been clear that they lots of high draft picks both this year and next year, giving them a chance to restock their roster with young talent that will replace the free agents that are set to depart. While the Eagles might not draft for need, they do enter this draft with the luxury of defense being the strength of the draft, and having a second first-round pick to get creative with.
For this mock draft I used the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft simulator. Yes, it is possible some players get drafted later than where I have them. Yes, things will change between now and the draft. But to complete this mock draft I selected players at each pick based on who was on the board.
So without further ado, here is Version 1.0 of my Eagles 2023 7-Round Mock Draft
Rd. 1, Pick 10: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The initial reaction to this pick might be that it is too high. That would be a mistake.
Kancey is undersized for his position (6-foot, 280 lbs) but he does the most important thing a defensive linemen can do at a very high level — he gets after the quarterback.
Kancey has an extremely quick first step, something the Eagles value in their defensive linemen, and comes to the NFL knowing how to rush the passer. He finished with 8 sacks last season from the interior defensive line spot while also totaling 30 quarterback hurries. Double-teams might be an issue for his size, but if Kancey ends up requiring two defenders to stop him, that is a win for the rest of the defensive line. Last year the Eagles drafted a run-stopping defensive tackle and this year they follow that up by taking one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the draft — a skill that can never be drafted too early.
Defensive tackle is not only an obvious need for the Eagles but it is also a position they value. The team might have a need at cornerback, but the need at defensive tackle is arguably bigger with Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph all set to become free agents. The Eagles have never shown an urgency to address the No. 2 cornerback spot, and while this draft is strong at the top at cornerback, they will always lean towards the lines as opposed to the perimeter of the field.
Rd. 1, Pick 30: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
This is a bit of a luxury pick, but it is also a smart one for Howie Roseman, who adds a cost-controlled weapon to his offense at a spot where they need an upgrade assuming Miles Sanders leaves.
Gibbs will be a legit three-down back in the NFL right away, as he is not only an explosive player as a runner, but he has an ability to be a big threat in the passing game as well. Gibbs dropped only two passes in 134 career attempts, giving the team a sure-handed target out of the backfield, something they have been really lacking in their offense.
As much as the team likes Kenny Gainwell, he won't be a full-time, three-down running back. Gibbs can be RB1 both on the ground and in the passing game, with Gainwell taking a good portion of reps as well. Gibbs under a rookie contract for three years should give the Eagles elite-level play at a good discount and save the team from having to find bargains in free agency.
Rd. 2, Pick 62: Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
Adebawore has been a big winner during the pre-draft process, running a 4.49 40-yard dash at the Combine, an insanely impressive time for a 6-2, 282 pound edge rusher. He ended the week in Indianapolis with an Athleticism Score of 97 according to NFL Next Gen Stats, which was first among all the edge rushers. Add in the fact that he won National Team Practice Defensive Lineman of the Week at the Senior Bowl and Adebawore is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft.
The Eagles don't have a need at edge rusher but that doesn't matter. The team will always be looking for elite athletes at the EDGE rusher position. His production last season was just average, finishing with five sacks and nine tackles for a loss, but in the third round Adebawore is a prospect worth taking, developing and trusting his elite athleticism can turn into an impact player at a crucial position.
Rd. 3, Pick 94: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
The Eagles might need an upgrade over Quez Watkins, who admitted himself he took a year back last year and dropped a big pass in their Super Bowl loss. A key quality in that player will be the ability to stretch the field and Dell can certainly do just that.
Dell, 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, is one of the quickest receivers in the draft and finished last season with 108 catches for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 4.49 40-yard dash didn't impress at the Combine but he did run a 1.49 10-yard split, which was the third-best among the receivers, according to Pro Football Focus. He is best lined up in the slot, but is elusive enough to be moved around before the snap and if the coaching staff can get him in space he can be a big-play threat with the ball in his hands.
With the addition of Gibbs and Dell the Eagles add a ton of young, elusive speed to their offense.
Rd. 7: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
The Eagles not only need a backup quarterback. They need a backup quarterback that can come in and run the same offense, an issue they ran into this season when Gardner Minshew had to play two games this season with Jalen Hurts on the bench.
Enter Thompson-Robinson, who is one of the most electric quarterbacks in the draft, totaling 1,254 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground the last two seasons while also throwing for 3,169 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He needs some development, but with the job the Eagles just did helping Hurts develop into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, there might not be a better team for Thompson-Robinson to land with than the Eagles.
Rd. 7: Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
The Eagles will likely take a corner at on point in the draft, and while Blackmon won't be expected to come in and play right away, he does have some qualities that could allow him to get on the field sooner rather than later. Every scouting report on Blackmon mentions his high football intelligence, his willingness to trust his instincts to jump routes (3 interceptions last season) and his physical style of play.
The Eagles don't have many young cornerbacks on the roster that project to be starters, so taking a chance on Blackmon in the seventh round would be a wise move for a team that is going to need to start developing at the position.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
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