We all have our guys.
As we get set for the NFL Draft, the Mel Kiper Jr. in all of us comes flooding out. We have strong opinions on college players. We all know just who the Eagles should take. We hone in on where the draft is strong, and which positions can change this franchise for years to come. And we all worry about Howie Roseman screwing it up.
While I was a big fan of the Eagles moving down from No. 6 to 12 in this year's first round, it did eliminate the chances of Kyle Pitts landing in Philly. The Florida tight end was my top guy in this draft, and caused me to watch an obscene amount of Gators YouTube highlights this offseason.
But that doesn't mean there's not great talent left for the Eagles to land early on in the 2021 NFL Draft at No. 12 and No. 37 (or higher if Roseman chooses to trade back up). Here's a list of my Eagles Big Board heading into April. The first group fit at No. 12. The next would fit at 37, but could require a trade back into the bottom of the first round to secure.
The choices at No. 12
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: Once the Pitts dream ended, I had to find my next guy. It didn't take long. I believe Horn, not Alabama's Patrick Surtain or Virginia's Caleb Farley, will be the best corner from this draft. He's physical. He can run. He has a swagger and confidence that No. 1 corners always seem to have. The Eagles desperately need to upgrade the corner position. If Horn is there at No. 12, they should sprint to make the pick.
Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern: I'm not as worried about the 2021 offensive line as most fans. It's the 2022 and beyond group that concerns me. The Eagles have veterans coming back and young depth in the fold for next season. But of the Jason Kelce-Brandon Brooks-Lane Johnson trio, how many will be Eagles in 2022? One? None? Enter Slater, a player capable of becoming a star guard or good tackle. The Eagles built many winning teams around picks like this.
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan: The Eagles have had 13 picks in the top half of the first round in the last three decades, and have used them all on offensive line, defensive line or quarterback. If we rule out QB this time (the trade down from 6 to 12 all but did that for us) and Slater is off the board already, Paye would be an excellent pick. The long-term outlook (aging Brandon Graham, fifth-year option Derek Barnett, free-agent-to-be Josh Sweat) at defensive end is uncertain. Paye, a Michigan captain, strikes me as the kind of kid that will get the most out of his ability in the NFL.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: If the Eagles are going to build an offense around Jalen Hurts' skill set, we need to look to how the Baltimore Ravens have done it: Speed on the outside, big tight ends over the middle, and a stable of backs to rotate in with read-option plays. Waddle, 22.1 yards per catch in 2021 and over 18 during his collegiate career, fits the bill. Plus, Hurts recently singled out Waddle as the former college teammate (from either Alabama or Oklahoma) that would have the best pro career.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: I like Smith. I really do. I just don't love WRs this size, especially in the first round. The Heisman Trophy winner can be an over-the-middle threat for Hurts, and reminds me of the ex-Colts great Marvin Harrison. The Eagles made the mistake of discounting Justin Jefferson's college production last year. They could attone by taking Smith on April 29.
The choices at 37 (or a trade back up)
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU: I *considered* putting Moehrig in the first group. That's how highly I think of the TCU safety. When was the last time the Eagles had a true ball hawk in the secondary? It wouldn't surprise me to see Moehrig (7 INTs in 33 college games) lead the NFL in interceptions one day. I know it's a lot to ask, but the Eagles could go from having a weak secondary to a Darius Slay-Horn-Anthony Harris-Moehrig group in a flash
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: If the Eagles go CB, OL or DL at No. 12, Toney is the kind of wide receiver the city of Philadelphia would love in the early second. The Gators star reminds me of Deebo Samuel. He kept showing up in all the Pitts highlight videos. A Jalen Reagor-Toney duo would give the new offensive coaching staff the ability to scheme up versatile looks all season long.
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina: Miles Sanders is a nice back, but building a power-running game around him is a fool's errand. The Eagles need more there, and Williams is the perfect choice. With Hurts, Sanders and Williams, the Eagles could build an offense that routinely racks up 150-175 yards per game on the ground.
Asante Samuel Jr, CB, FSU: Let's dive into the lineage here. But unlike his dad, Samuel Jr. profiles more as a physical corner rather than a ball hawk. He'll hit WRs. He'll tackle. He could become a starting slot corner pretty quickly in the new Eagles defense.
Ronnie Perkins, DE, Oklahoma: Here's an NFL Draft profile comp for you to think about:
Player A: 6'2", 265 pounds, 32.25 inch arms, 4.72 40-yard dash
Player B: 6'3", 253 pounds, 32.875 inch arms, 4.71 40-yard dash
Player A was Graham coming out of Michigan in 2010. Player B is Perkins. Graham was a little thicker and stronger. Perkins is a little lighter, but part of that is how the game and what is needed from defensive ends has changed in the last decade. Both were good college performers at huge schools. Both have a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. The first became an all-time Eagles great. The second could be a Day 2 steal.
