2023 NFL mock draft: Cowboys land WR, Lions land star QB prospect
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Scouting Report. EDGE. 14. player. 54. Pick Analysis. Clemson. Myles Murphy
The Philadelphia Eagles look like one of the more well-rounded rosters in the entire NFL on paper. This is a team that has been rebuilt in relatively short order by general manager Howie Roseman, who thought he had a long-term foundation in place when his team won the Super Bowl just a few years ago. Most of that core has been dismantled at this point, but the Eagles remain a contender in the NFC. Hat’s off to Roseman for the job he’s done reloading.
One area of this roster that could still use some additional attention is off the edge. I was pretty surprised to see the Eagles pass on edge players in this year’s rookie class considering how strong it was, but that’s exactly what they did. I’m not sure they’ll pass in 2023, especially if they can get a player like Myles Murphy from Clemson. This is a freaky-quick 6-foot-5, 275-pound edge player who can wreck the game in a variety of ways.
15. Arizona Cardinals: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Georgia. player. 32. Nolan Smith. 15
The Arizona Cardinals got embarrassed in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs in every phase of the game. The Chiefs are a great team, but the Cardinals were supposed to be a contender this year as well and they got embarrassed on their own home field. Although Arizona has made a ton of bold moves the last few years, you can’t help but wonder what they’re doing at certain position groups like edge.
They did draft Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but nobody on the Cardinals was able to get a sack on Patrick Mahomes in the season opener. Letting Chandler Jones walk out the door when you’re seemingly in a title window was certainly a decision. The Cardinals will need to revamp here in the 2023 offseason and Nolan Smith would be a tremendous option.
He’s lighter off the edge but he’s physical, he plays the run well, and he has the type of burst off the edge to be a consistent impact pass rusher.