Final Eagles Mock Draft Roundup Before Free Agency originally appeared nbc sports philadelphia
NFL free agency begins this week and teams will begin filling holes in their rosters.
This means that a lot of mock drafts will start to look different in a matter of weeks.
But here is the Eagles mock draft roundup before free agency and the first after the Panthers trade for the No. 1 spot:
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY
10. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
What they said: Substantial change seems inevitable for the Eagles’ secondary, which could have lost both James Bradberry and CJ Gardner-Johnson in free agency and now faces a financial impasse with Darius Slay. Should this scenario arise, Philadelphia should be very happy to have a versatile and hyperathletic cornerback like Gonzalez, even if it means waiting until later to address the defensive line.
30. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
What they said: It may seem like a luxury for a team that already has a top-five tight end in Dallas Goedert, but Washington doesn’t like other players at his position. A bulldozer at 6-7 and 264 pounds, he could continue to bolster the Eagles’ ground game while making last year’s No. 3 red zone offense even more impressive.
My take is: It is worth noting in this draft that the Bears take offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 9. This would be good news for the Eagles who are not needy on the OL. And the way the top 10 shakes out, the Eagles have the best cornerbacks in the class. They go with Gonzalez, who crushed the combine, while Devon Witherspoon was not able to compete due to injury. There’s a lot to like about Gonzalez.
As far as the Washington pick, it might not be super popular because it’s not a huge need, but I like it. Now, it would be more palatable if the Eagles didn’t have to use a first-round pick at tight end, but it would be pretty insane to pair Washington with Goedert in the Eagles’ 12-person package. A lot of attention has been paid to upgrading the No. 3 receiver spot, but it’s fair to argue that upgrading the No. 2 tight end spot would be a wiser decision.
10. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
What they said: Cornerback Darius Slay has requested a trade from Philadelphia and James Bradberry is due to become a free agent. Devon Witherspoon absorbs some of that potential damage. He is a physical, fiery boundary cornerback who must have endeared himself to the Philadelphia community.
30. Business!
What they said: Business! Arizona receives the No. 31 overall pick. Philadelphia likes a good deal to pick No. 35 overall and (No. 105) overall general manager Howie Roseman and this is an opportunity for former Eagles assistant Jonathan Gannon to land his version of Hassan Reddick in Arizona.
My take is: Witherspoon is considered by many to be the top corner in this class. But it’s really a matter of preference. Some like Witherspoon, some like Gonzalez, some like Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. As a note, Gonzalez is top of the board in this mock; He goes to the Raiders at number 7.
A trade with the No. 30 pick makes sense. (Edwards, by the way, has the Cardinals taking Georgia’s Nolan Smith.) The Eagles currently do not have a pick from Rounds 4-6 and will change that. The Cardinals pick is the third in the fourth round. If the Eagles have a few players they prefer when they have 30 on the clock, a minor trade is definitely in the cards.
Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune
10. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
What they said: Free agency could devastate the NFC Champions, especially in the secondary and All-Pro Darius Slay requested a trade to boot. Witherspoon finished with the highest coverage grade (92.5) in FBS according to Pro Football Focus. Evidence of ball skill and effective routing evident – three interceptions and 14 passes defensed (tied for 8th in FBS).
30. Jahmir Gibbs, RB, Alabama
What they said: Jalen Hurts had to carry the entire offensive load in the Super Bowl with his arms and legs, while both Miles Sanders and Boston Scott faced free agency. Bell-Cow, along with Gibbs, has dual-threat potential – he has shades of Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Charles in his game. He projects electric speed along with pass-catching ability and an advanced root tree.
My take is: Another pick for Witherspoon, who has clearly become the hottest pick for the Eagles in these mock drafts. As for the Gibbs pick, yes, it still seems unlikely that the Eagles will use a first round pick on a running back. They haven’t done this since 1986. But maybe this could be the year. Miles Sanders is a free agent, the Eagles have two first-rounders and a team they hope can still compete to win the Super Bowl in 2023. 11 in this mock.
10. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
What he said: The Eagles’ needs depend on which of their high-priced players remain and which coveted free agents like DT Javon Hargrave return. But they will likely lose one of their starting cornerbacks — free agents James Bradberry or Darius Slay ($26.1 million cap hit) — which slows current thinking that way. Witherspoon missed joint drills and last week’s professional day due to a hamstring injury. He’ll have a solo workout on April 5 to confirm his impressive tape.
30. Kion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
What they said: Philly is likely to defend its NFC title while keeping Brandon Graham, but the deal was for just one year and the Eagles’ D-line is loaded with free agents, all in their 30s. . It will come as no surprise that the teen’s picking teams fall for the ability of the bendy and versatile White.
My take is: I guess the amount of mocks the cornerbacks take on the Eagles shouldn’t be surprising. We already knew that Bradberry was going to be a free agent and Slay’s position doesn’t make the Eagles any more stable at the position. It’s been two decades since the Eagles took a corner in the first round but there are reasons to do so this year. Gonzalez goes to first again but there is a chance the Eagles like Witherspoon more.
White is a big edge rusher at 6-5, 285 pounds and had 7 1/2 sacks and 14 TFLs last season with Georgia Tech. Because of his size and athleticism, White is a versatile defensive line piece that should be vital to the Eagles even under new defensive coordinator Sean Desai. NFL Network’s Daniel has been a big fan of Jeremiah White, calling him one of his favorite players in the draft:
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