Following the trade for Jordan Howard, the Philadelphia Eagles needs in the 2019 NFL Draft have changed. A new mock draft is in order.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Howie Roseman made a big move in acquiring running back Jordan Howard from the Chicago Bears. Running back was arguably the Eagles’ biggest hole on their roster and many were worried they would need to reach in the draft to fill it after not signing any free agent running backs. However, as he always does, Roseman was able to make an impressive move to fill a major need for the Eagles.
After getting Howard for only a 2020 sixth-round pick (that can turn into a fifth), the Eagles now have the best 11-personnel in football. Their offense will be one of the best in the NFL and quarterback Carson Wentz has been surrounded with weapons to get back on track in 2019. The team has also spent big at the wide receiver position this year, but that will pay off during the season.
Roseman was able to fill the running back hole with the Howard trade, but he also acquired the greatest deep-threat in NFL history, DeSean Jackson, via trade as well. It has been an impressive offseason for the Eagles and the moves allow them to head into the draft without many major holes, outside of middle linebacker. Although, Roseman has shown that the middle linebacker position is not one that he usually spends big on or uses a high draft pick on.
It will be interesting to see what the Eagles do in the 2019 NFL Draft, mainly because you never know what Roseman and company will do. Last year, they traded back in the draft and added an extra second round pick this year. Some people feel the Eagles will use that extra second round pick to move up in the first round of the draft, but I feel that Roseman will either stay put, or trade back to acquire even more picks in a deep draft class.
Find out what the Eagles do in this three-round mock draft after trading for Howard.
TRADE: Philadelphia trades Picks 25 and 138 to Kansas City for Picks 29 and 92
Round 1, Pick 29: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Safety, Florida
A lot of people want the Eagles to move up and get one of the best defensive linemen in the draft. But with such a solid and deep defensive linemen class, Roseman and the Eagles understand they can get good value in the second round or third round.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
So, with that in mind, the Eagles trade back and pick up a third-round pick in this mock draft. This is the second mock draft I have had the Eagles trade back in the first round and pick up a third round pick, which they do not have because of the Golden Tate trade. Trading back in the first and picking up that extra third is the best idea and will allow the Eagles to likely get two starters instead of one.
One of those starters will be former Florida defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. The former Gator is arguably the best safety in the NFL Draft, mainly because of his versatility. Gardner-Johnson can play multiple positions and excel in all of them. He will fit perfectly in the Eagles’ defense as they usually have three safeties on the field.
Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are both getting older and adding a young safety to the mix will help tremendously. They added Andrew Sendejo to the mix, but if Gardner-Johnson is there at No. 29 after they trade back, they need to pull the trigger.
One thing I love about Gardner-Johnson was his ability to be a great cover safety, but also a guy that is not afraid to come up and smack you in the mouth. He has the skills to be an impact player for a very long time in today’s NFL and he is a dream for any defensive coordinator. Having Jenkins, McLeod and Gardner-Johnson as your starting three safeties would be a treat for Jim Schwartz and the defense.
TRADE: Philadelphia trades Pick 53 and a 2020 3rd to Indianapolis for Pick 34
Round 2, Pick 34: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Again, a lot people want the Eagles to move up and get one of the best defensive linemen in the class, and that is exactly what they do — but in the second round. Former Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons is one of the best defensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, after a torn ACL this offseason, Simmons could slide out of the first round.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, some NFL executives think he will definitely fall out of the first round because of it.
Reached out to several NFL executives about Mississippi state DT Jefferey Simmons. I’ve had four responses so far, and all four say he will fall out of the first round due to his torn ACL.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) February 12, 2019
The big question is, how far will he drop? Not too far because if Simmons is still there in the second round, the Eagles should make an aggressive push for him. It reminds me of when the Eagles decided to take Sidney Jones after he tore his Achilles tendon. Jones was supposed to be the top cornerback in the NFL Draft, but after getting injured at his Pro Day, he slid to the second round.
Philly was the team to take a chance on him and I expect them to do that again with Simmons. Moving up to 34 may cost even more than their second and next years third round pick, but the Eagles should take the chance because Simmons is a stud and would be worth it.
Simmons has elite ability at the position and as explosive as they come. His quick start makes it seem like he always times the snap perfectly and he moves like he is 260 pounds; not like he is 300.
He can rush the passer easily while also being a force in the run game. Had he not torn his ACL, Simmons would have likely gone within the first 10 picks. He would be an amazing pick for any team in the second round and, if the Eagles can get him in the second, they may get the steal of the draft.
Round 2, Pick 57: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Former Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell has made all of my Eagles mock drafts so far and for a good reason. I love his fit in the Eagles’ offense and think he would be a scary weapon for Doug Pederson and Wentz.
Campbell is a guy that you game plan touches for because he can take the ball to the house at any moment when the ball is in his hands. He has legitimate track speed, but can change direction quickly. Campbell is one of my draft crushes and I would love to see him on the Eagles in 2019.
Round 3, Pick 92: Jahlani Tavai, MLB, Hawaii
I have pounded the table for the Eagles to draft former Michigan middle linebacker Devin Bush Jr., but it looks like Bush will be a player they would have to trade up for in the first round. Bush is going to be a stud in the NFL, so it would be amazing if he was there at No. 25 and they took him.
But in this mock, he is long gone and trading back and picking up this third-round pick is the best-case scenario. I would also not rule out the Eagles making a trade for a middle linebacker as we get closer to the draft, but now the hole still remains.
Luckily for the Eagles, they can fill that hole in the third round with former Hawaii linebacker, Jahlani Tavai, who is also exceptional at filling holes. Tavai is a player that is going under the radar because of a shoulder injury that has held him out of the combine and his Pro Day.
However, Tavai is holding a personal workout for NFL teams in April. That workout will be huge for Tavai, who will need to show teams he is healthy and worthy of being drafted earlier and not later. The former Hawaii stud flashes on film as he seems to love contact and making his hits count. He plays with a great motor and seems to always want to make the play.
It will be interesting to see if he runs a 40-yard dash at his workout, and if he does, what it will be. He plays with instincts, but his actual game speed is questionable. If his shoulder injury and medicals check out, he could likely be the starter at middle linebacker for the Eagles as a rookie and a great value pick in the third round.