After the first wave of free agency, let’s take a look at a new Philadelphia Eagles seven-round 2019 mock draft, featuring some trades.
The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off the new league year with some solid moves in free agency that they believe will help them get one step closer to another Super Bowl. First, they traded for wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Philadelphia also added defensive tackle Malik Jackson. The former Pro Bowl defensive lineman had a rough time in Jacksonville, but playing next to Fletcher Cox should help revive his career.
Along with the new additions, the Eagles made a handful of moves to clear a ton of cap space. So far, this offseason has been a success for the Eagles, but they still have some important pieces they need to add if they want to truly contend for another Super Bowl.
A lot of fans have been asking for the team to make a move at running back, but as it stands, the Eagles do not have a starter. A lot of people have been asking them to make a trade for a running back or to go all in for one in the 2019 NFL Draft.
They still have time to make a trade, but it is looking like the Eagles and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman are going to draft their starter.
Along with running back, another big need for the Eagles is middle linebacker. After losing Jordan Hicks to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, the Eagles have a massive hole in the middle of their defense. They signed former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort, but he is not the answer at middle linebacker.
Luckily for the Eagles and their fans, they can hopefully address both of those needs in the 2019 NFL Draft. Subsequently, let’s get into this post-free agency seven-sound mock draft featuring some big trades to see if they are able to complete their championship roster.
TRADE: New England trades Picks 32 and 73 to Philadelphia for Pick 25
Round 1, Pick 32: Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State
Right off the bat, the Eagles make a huge trade to pick up a third-round pick, which they lost by trading for Golden Tate. They move back seven spots to pick 32 and they finally get their franchise running back. This isn’t former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs, though. Call me crazy, but one thing I’m sure of is that Miles Sanders is the best running back in the 2019 draft class.
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Jacobs is a solid running back, but he truly doesn’t jump off the screen. He doesn’t have the elite skill set teams should look for when considering taking a running back in the first round. Sanders, on the other hand, flashes greatness. Before you crush me for this pick, turn on the film. Sanders has his occasional struggle in pass protection, but as a runner, this kid is a stud. Another knock on him would be that, despite the fact that he ran a great 40-yard dash, his actual breakaway game speed is in question.
Regardless, Sanders is the best fit for the Eagles offense out of all of the running backs in the draft. He can hit the hole with authority and also make someone miss in the hole. He has the quickness to bounce if he has to and he also isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder to pick up extra yards. He only had 24 receptions last season, but at his pro day, he also worked out as a slot receiver and did not drop a pass, according to John McGonigal of the Centre Daily Times.
The last argument is going to be waiting on Sanders and getting him in the second round. I would agree, but I believe Sanders’ stock is sky-rocketing, and making it into NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 Prospects 3.0 highlights that. So, instead of drafting Jacobs (and likely needing to trade up to get him) the Eagles add the better running back, Sanders, and also a third-round pick.
Quarterback Carson Wentz will have a ton of weapons in the passing game and a running back he can trust.
TRADE: Buffalo trades Pick 40 to Philadelphia for Pick 53, Pick 137 and a 2020 Fifth Round Pick
Round 2, Pick 40: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
How great would it be if the Eagles fill both of their biggest holes with their first two picks? Eagles fans could breathe easy then for the rest of the draft. The Eagles and Roseman stay aggressive here and make another trade, but this time to move up in the second round to get a linebacker with first round talent. Wilson has a chance to go in the first round, but with him sliding in this mock, the Eagles decide he is worth trading up for.
They may not get Devin Bush, who I have been lobbying for at No. 25, but they do get Wilson, the third best middle linebacker in the draft, at No. 40. The former Alabama stud did not run a great 40-yard dash, which could cause him to slide a little, but he plays faster than he timed. He is a big linebacker that can move well. He will sure up the middle for a very long time and, if the Eagles are able to add him in the second round, they will be ecstatic.
Round 2, Pick 57: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
The Eagles have the second highest cap hit in the NFL from their wide receivers, which is the right move. So, why would they take a receiver early in the 2019 NFL Draft? Because this receiver would be a steal at No. 57. Former Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell was in my first mock draft and I can’t seem to shake the thought of him in this Eagles offense. He would be the Eagles’ Tyreek Hill type weapon and give Wentz a player that defenses will have to worry about running deep and also catching a screen.
By joining an already stacked wide receiver room, he would be able to learn a ton in his first NFL season before being unleashed as the guy in his second year. The Eagles could easily generate 4-5 set touches a game for him, while also getting him involved in the regular passing game. Campbell can fly and once he develops as a route runner, he should be a really solid professional wide receiver.
Round 3, Pick 73 (via Patriots): Christian Miller, DE, Alabama
After moving back in the first round, the Eagles use the third round pick they received from the Patriots to take a defensive end. Former Alabama pass rusher Christian Miller will not be a popular pick for the box score scouts. Miller had 56 tackles and 11 sacks in his career at Alabama. Those are numbers a player usually puts up in a season, but Miller is riding the wave of his solid eight-sack senior year.
Miller did not start for Bama much, but was still able to put those numbers up, so his senior stats show he is trending upward. The Eagles could use him on passing downs in Year 1 and give him time to put on some weight and strength. Miller shows elite traits as a pass rusher, shooting his hands and using his arms, in addition to having a great get-off.
He will be a high ceiling, low floor player, but Roseman may believe he is worth the gamble. Even with the addition of defensive end Vinny Curry, the Eagles will still likely add a pass-rusher in the draft and Miller could be the guy.
Round 4, Pick 127: Isaiah Buggs, DT, Alabama
In the fourth round, the Eagles take another Alabama player, but this time it is defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. The former Crimson Tide starter had an excellent senior season, with 9.5 sacks and also adding 13.5 tackles for a loss. Buggs would likely become the Eagles third defensive tackle right away and would provide great value in the fourth round.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Buggs go earlier because of his ability to rush the passer from the inside. However, the Eagles run to the podium and take him here in the fourth round. This would give them one of the deepest and most dangerous defensive lines in football.
Adding three players (Wilson, Miller, and Buggs) from one of the best defenses in college football doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.
Round 5, Pick 163: Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky
The Eagles did sign former Minnesota Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo to likely be their third safety, but drafting former Kentucky safety Mike Edwards in the fifth round could make for an interesting training camp battle and also give the Eagles even more depth at the position.
One thing that the Eagles will like about Edwards is his ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, kind of like Malcolm Jenkins. Edwards will be able to provide depth at every safety spot and even in sub packages elsewhere. I believe that, if Edwards is able to pick up the defense quickly, he could be playing more meaningful snaps than people would expect since the Eagles use three safeties so much.
Round 6, Pick 197: Mitch Hyatt, OL, Clemson
With their last pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Eagles take former Clemson Tiger and National Champion offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt. I say offensive lineman because there is no saying where Hyatt will play in the NFL. It all depends on where a coach thinks he will fit best.
Hyatt was a four-year starter for Clemson and a team captain, which shouldn’t go unnoticed, but he lacks all the tools you want from a starting offensive lineman. He isn’t very strong, but he is very athletic. I think if there is one team that could get the most out of him, it would be the Eagles. Learning from Jason Peters, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce could do wonders for him as he sits for a couple of years and progresses.