Two years now after winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles need to do strong work in the 2019 NFL Draft.
After winning the Super Bowl in 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles 2018 season was a roller coaster that did not end with them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. There was no parade on Broad Street and Jason Kelce wasn’t giving the greatest championship speech of all time. However, with many people feeling the Eagles season was a failure, losing in the second round of the playoffs, I would argue that it was as close to impressive a season can get without winning the Super Bowl.
The Eagles dealt with an abundance of injuries that severely impacted their season. Outside of Malcolm Jenkins, their entire secondary was patched together all season and it seemed they had a injury bug they could not shed. They also lost starting quarterback Carson Wentz, again, to an injury. Some people feel Foles is the better quarterback, but some people in this world are crazy, so we won’t even go there.
Even with all of the injuries the Eagles had, they still were able to win in the first round of the playoffs and give the New Orleans Saints a run for their money in the second round. This Eagles team is still a very good team, and when healthy, a top Super Bowl contender.
It will be interesting to see what moves they make in free agency, but with the way things have been shaping up, it would not surprise me one bit to see Le’Veon Bell and the Eagles agree to a contract.
I believe the Eagles will add a running back in free agency, even if it isn’t Bell, which will allow them to focus on other needs in the draft. With that in mind, here is a post-combine 7-round mock draft for the Eagles.
Round 1, Pick 25: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
This may not be a popular pick among Eagles fans and Eagles Twitter, but I can guarantee that once former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush hits the field for the Birds, he will become a fan favorite.
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Bush is one of my favorite players in college football this season because of the way he flies all over the field and makes plays. Some feel that he is undersized (5-11, 234 pounds), but he plays bigger than he is and never lets his size hurt him on the field.
With the future of Jordan Hicks in question, and his health always in question, adding a legitimate starting middle linebacker would be huge for the Eagles. They saw the success the Cowboys had this season with a solid linebacker core, so adding Bush to the mix would be a major upgrade.
At the NFL Combine, the undersized Bush put on a show. He ran a blazing 4.43-second 40-yard dash, which was second best among all linebackers. He also had the highest vertical, when he jumped 40.5. His 20-yard shuttle was also impressive, coming in 4.23 seconds.
His size may be in question, but his athletic ability is not. The Eagles should not overthink this pick and if Bush is there at 25, the Eagles will have their best middle linebacker in a very long time.
Round 2, Pick 53 (via Ravens): Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
After taking a Michigan man, the Eagles go over to their rivals to find their next impact player in the NFL Draft. Wide receiver Parris Campbell is arguably the most explosive offensive playmaker in the class, but he will never be known as the best route-runner in this class because he isn’t. Campbell is as twitchy as they come, running a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, jumping 40.0 inches in the vert and 135.0 inches in the broad, and also running a 4.03-second 20-yard shuttle.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I feel he could plug in and be the Eagles’ Tyreek Hill in their offense. A guy that can burn the defense deep, but also be a weapon jet sweeps and other gadget plays. Doug Pederson and Wentz would love to have a guy like this in their offense.
After dominating at the combine, he may not make it to pick 53, but a lot of teams will be pushed away by his poor route running and understanding zone coverages. However, the Eagles should not be. Last year they traded up in the second round to get their guy (Dallas Goedert), and if they feel Campbell will not make it to them this year, they should do whatever they can to get him.
Round 2, Pick 57: Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
The Eagles go with back-to-back Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round and the second one they get may be one of the steals of the draft. Dre’Mont Jones would be an awesome fit in the Eagles scheme on the defensive line and with news that Timmy Jernigan will be leaving in free agency, Jones would be a great replacement.
The former Ohio State defensive linemen has a chance to go in the first round, but his lack of size and strength will likely force him later into the second round. Jones has all of the tools to be successful in the NFL and once he is in with an NFL team and their weight training programs, I believe he will become a solid NFL starter.
Both of these Ohio State players would be key starters in the future and make for one of the best second rounds the Eagles have ever had in the NFL draft.
Round 4, Pick 127: Shareef Miller EDGE, Penn State
Miller is a “Philly Guy,” playing his high school football at George Washington High School in Philadelphia, PA. So this would be a popular pick just for that aspect, but also because Miller has a lot of tools that would translate to the NFL. A lot of people mention the word “potential” regarding Miller and that is because it seems like he is almost ready to go off, but just hasn’t yet. I think with the right NFL coaching, Miller could become a great rotational defensive linemen in the NFL.Round
Round 4, Pick 138 (Compensatory pick): Isaiah Prince OT, Ohio State
I am sure someone will tweet at me and say that I am clearly an Ohio State fan, but truly, I am not. Prince is one just another guy that will best help Philly. I know the Eagles and their fans feel strongly about Jordan Mailata, but getting a player like Prince is very important.
He will not be starting Day 1 in the NFL, but sitting behind Jason Peters and Lane Johnson, and with the Eagles amazing coaching; Prince has a chance to become a starter in the league or at least someone who can come in if there is an injury. He would provide great value in the fourth round.
Round 5, Pick 163: Erik McCoy C, Texas A&M
This may be a really late spot for Erik McCoy in the NFL Draft, but centers are oddly not valued as high as they should be in the NFL. So, I would not be surprised to see him later in the draft and if he is; Philly needs to draft him. McCoy could sit behind Jason Kelce for (hopefully) two years and then once Kelce hangs it up, McCoy could take over at center for the Eagles. He is a good insurance plan for them and gives the Eagles a center for the future on their roster.
Round 6, Pick 197: Karan Higdon RB, Michigan
Now I am picking two Michigan players, but just like Ohio State, I am not a Michigan fan. Running back Karan Higdon could be the Eagles new project in the backfield. It seems they enjoy drafting later round running backs and trying to develop them, even though it really hasn’t panned out well. Like I said earlier, I think they get a running back in free agency, so adding Higdon would be a nice project for Deuce Staley and the Eagles. Higdon ran a 4.49 seconds in the 40 at the combine, but needs to show that he can also play on third down in the NFL.
Round 6, Pick 208 (Compensatory pick): Malik Gant, S, Marshall
If former Marshall safety Malik Grant played 30 years ago, he’d likely be drafted much higher than this protection. Gant loves to play physical football, but if he gets matched up on a tight end, he will be exposed quickly. He may never ever be considered a covering safety, but he could definitely be considered a kick and punt cover guy that adds value as a backup.