The Eagles briefly stole the highlight throughout final 12 months’s NFL Draft, buying and selling their first-round decide to the Titans as a part of a shock deal for star extensive receiver A.J. Brown. The prime-time splash proved important to Philadelphia’s 2022 success, with Brown serving to gasoline Jalen Hurts’ MVP bid and the Eagles’ look in Super Bowl LVII.
This 12 months, the Birds could possibly be huge movers as soon as once more. Not solely is normal supervisor Howie Roseman one of many NFL’s busiest executives by way of draft-day trades, however Philly owns two totally different Day 1 picks — No. 10 and No. 30 total — due to a earlier cope with the Saints. Odds are Roseman will make not less than one commerce this 12 months, maybe to extend the Eagles’ total draft haul, with the membership coming into April’s occasion with simply six picks whole.
In the meantime, here is one logical Eagles state of affairs for the 2023 NFL Draft — a seven-round mock draft:
1
10
Nolan Smith
EDGEGeorgia
1
30
Brian Branch
DBAlabama262Zach CharbonnetRBUCLA394Tyler ScottWRCincinnati7219Connor GalvinOTBaylor7248Justin Ford
CBMontana
At No. 10 total, the Eagles may gain advantage from an early run on quarterbacks, with C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Bryce Young (Alabama) and Anthony Richardson (Florida) broadly projected as high 10 choices. Will Levis (Kentucky) is one other chance to go early beneath middle. Otherwise, the one near-locks to be off the board are Alabama cross rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, although, the latter is a wild card attributable to a pre-draft arrest.
If Carter, edge rusher Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech) or consensus high cornerback prospects Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) and Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) can be found at No. 10, we might count on the Eagles to present sturdy consideration to all of them, roughly in that order. But assuming they’re gone, Nolan Smith initiatives as an ideal match for a place Roseman likes to replenish. Philly received a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber outing from free-agent addition Haason Reddick in 2022, and Smith has drawn comparisons there as a lean however lightning-quick stand-up rusher able to transferring across the formation.
It’d be a gentle shock if the Eagles make each first-round picks at their present spots, however the secondary is smart as the subsequent precedence at No. 30. Roseman paid huge bucks to retain each Darius Slay and James Bradberry, however each starters can be over 30 this season. Brian Branch is not a conventional exterior nook, however that is a part of the attraction; a hybrid slot/security with shades of fellow Alabama product Minkah Fitzpatrick, he might doubtlessly change the departed C.J. Gardner-Johnson whereas providing a long-term choice at nook, the place veteran nickelback Avonte Maddox has additionally battled accidents.
While the Eagles aren’t one to dedicate Day 1 picks to working again, Roseman has been within the group’s entrance workplace for 2 distinguished second-round swings: LeSean McCoy (2009) and Miles Sanders (2019). It would not be outrageous for Philly to easily roll with Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and explosive however oft-injured addition Rashaad Penny now that Sanders has cashed in elsewhere. But easing Jalen Hurts’ burden ought to be an offensive mission, and Zach Charbonnet profiles as one of many safer RB bets of his class, pairing strong dimension with a decisive, downhill method. He could possibly be an on the spot working mate within the rotation.
Wide receiver is a more durable spot to evaluate. On one hand, the Eagles already boast one of many NFL’s high duos in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith; Brown is locked up with a big-money deal, and Smith will inevitably demand his personal profitable extension. But with Super Bowl hopes, they may stand to improve the No. 3 job, presently held by the speedy however streaky Quez Watkins. A former highschool RB with observe velocity, Tyler Scott feels just like the form of utility man Nick Sirianni might deploy each inside and out of doors; his upside as a return specialist might additionally attraction to a particular groups unit that was simply so-so in 2022.
While sort out and nook are effectively addressed with veteran expertise, they’re premium positions the Eagles determine to be eyeing for down the highway, particularly contemplating Lane Johnson’s damage historical past at proper sort out. That would appear to make Connor Galvin and Justin Ford cheap seventh-round gambles for summer time competitors.
