Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft: Building for the present and future
Speed arrives for the Eagles in Rounds 3-4 of this 2022 mock draft
3. Third Round: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
It was well documented in 2017 that the Eagles won the Super Bowl because of the strength of their defensive line the ability to dominate in the trenches. At Ohio State, whomever the coach was, the line of scrimmage was essential to success. Right now, the Eagles need fresh flood and aggression. They pick up a steal in Buckeye defensive end Zach Harrison in the third round.
In terms of statistics, this may not be your man. In terms of what he can bring to the team in terms of a winning attitude and relentless motor, you are good to go. While in Columbus, Harrison has been a force of the edge and has kept offenses on the lookout for his presence. In 2020, he was named Second Team All Big-10 by the coaches.
9.5 sacks in three years may give cause to pause, but don’t be fooled by numbers. When the tape comes on, there is evidence that Harrison can thrive if he is put in the right situation. Four times, excluding a pending Rose Bowl game against Utah, has Harrison brought quarterbacks down in 2021. Given the right coaching, Harrison can be a threat at the next level
4. Fourth Round: Kevin Austin Jr, WR, Notre Dame
You need to score points in the NFL to win. The Eagles already got some help for their upfront protection. Now, it’s time to look out for another threat opposite of DeVonta Smith. The luck of the Irish seems to have put the board in Philly’s favor as they take Notre Dame’s Kevin Austin Jr. At 6’2″ and weighing 215 pounds, his frame checks out as well as his route running.
Recently, with the departure of Brian Kelly to LSU and the hoopla surrounding Kyle Hamilton, lost in the shuffle was Austin. This season has been impressive to a degree; in the season opener, Austin caught four passes for 91 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown catch. Heading into their bowl game against Oklahoma State, Austin has 42 catches for 783 yards and six scores.
As stated before, his route running and fluidity when getting off the line of scrimmage make Austin an exciting prospect and one that should have NFL scouts looking in his direction. Against Wisconsin, he demonstrated it well, going for 76 yards and two scores against the Badgers at Soldier Field, where the turf has been known to cause headaches for everyone.
In rounds 5-6, it’s all about depth for the Eagles, and with no seventh-round pick at their disposal, it’s about going with the best player on the board while also grabbing names that have made a mark in college football this past season.