You know NFL Mock Draft season is officially here when the first Todd McShay mock draft drops.
The ESPN draft analyst released his first 2022 NFL Mock Draft of the season on Tuesday, and in it, he has the Eagles taking two defensive players and one player on offense — but not a quarterback.
Here is a look at who McShay predicts the Eagles will take with their three first-round picks, which currently sit at No. 11, No. 14 and No. 20:
11. David Ojabo, DE, Michigan:
McShay writes: Philly jump-starts its three-pick Round 1 party with an explosive pass-rusher. Ojabo's first step is lightning fast, and he closes on the QB extremely well -- his 11.0 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season prove it.
My thoughts: Pass rush is both an underrated and obvious need for the Eagles. It is underrated because nobody seems to be talking about the possibility, with most of the focus on safety, linebacker or quarterback. It is obvious because of their lack of elite, young pass rushers. Derek Barnett is set to become a free agent. Brandon Graham is coming off of a season-ending Achilles injury. Josh Sweat has had a solid season. Outside of that, the Eagles don’t have much on the roster. For a team that prioritizes the pass rush, finding an elite pass-rushing prospect will be a priority. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if the Eagles packaged picks to move up into the top five to select one of the elite prospects in the draft along the edge.
14. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah:
McShay writes: Lloyd -- who has 96 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and four interceptions for Utah this season -- is rangy and moves around the field like a 235-pound safety. He could quickly become a QB on defense for Philadelphia.
My thoughts: This is a pick that would have fans excited — and it should. Lloyd projects to be the playmaking, difference-making linebacker the Eagles desperately need. It is clear that linebackers play a large role in Jonathan Gannon’s defense, and while TJ Edwards and Davion Taylor have been solid this season, the team still needs to bring in an elite prospect at the position. There is so debate on whether the Eagles will value the linebacker position enough to use a first-round pick on one, but with three first-round picks, this feels like the year they add an elite prospect to the position.
20. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
McShay writes: Wilson's body control in adjusting to the ball in the air is incredible, he has the wheels to make the big play downfield and he shows a nose for the end zone (12 TDs this season).
My thoughts: A first-round pick on a receiver for the third-year in a row? It might seem crazy, but it really isn’t. The Eagles have invested a ton of draft resources into the position, but at the end of the day, are left with only DeVonta Smith. The Eagles are better off addressing the receiver position in free agency, but if a receiver is sitting there as their best-player available, adding another young player to the position isn’t a bad idea.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!