NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles: 2021 NFL Draft grades for top 3 picks

By Drew DeLuca

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: DeVonta Smith poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected 10th by the Philadelphia Eagles during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: DeVonta Smith poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected 10th by the Philadelphia Eagles during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Philadelphia Eagles
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles, 2021 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Eagles select IOL Landon Dickerson at Round 2, Pick 37

Grade: C

Landon Dickerson, who tore both ACLs and endured four season-ending injuries during his college career, is a skilled technician and one of the best interior offensive lineman in this year’s draft. We like the player, we don’t approve of the premium draft position used to obtain him given the sheer number of positional needs, and the abundance of talent available in those positions.

Maybe Eagles fans are still haunted by the specter of Sidney Jones, another “can’t miss first-round talent” that was scooped up by the Birds in Round 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft. Or maybe they’re just frustrated that Howie Roseman hasn’t learned from that mistake.

Yes, the offensive line was abysmal last year, allowing a whopping 65 sacks, the worst in the league by a wide margin (15 more than any other team). However, the Eagles played without the entire left side of their starting offensive line after losing All-Pro guard Brandon Brooks and 2019 Round 1 selection Andre Dillard to season-ending injuries.

Additionally, right tackle Lane Johnson broke his streak of three consecutive Pro Bowls after missing nine games. The resulting lack of continuity begat a myriad of offensive line combinations in which former rugby star Jordan Mailata became the starting blindside tackle.

Rookies Nate Herbig and Jack Driscoll started 12 and four games, respectively, none of which were by design. However, all of these players return healthy for 2021, as well as future Hall of Fame center (yeah, we said it) Jason Kelce, a three-time All-Pro who was the only offensive lineman to play in all 16 games last season.

With that in mind, the decision to upgrade the offensive line with a player who could very well become Kelce’s heir apparent someday is quite understandable. However, the glaring, gaping holes at linebacker and secondary could’ve been more effectively addressed with either Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah or Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr., two fan favorites who were likewise viewed as Day 1 talents by many scouts.

Home/NFL Draft