NFL Mock Draft 2019: Eagles take two defensive linemen in the top 57 picks

There are 59 days until the 2019 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25. We’re going to kill some time until then with our weekly Mock Draft Monday series. (You can also check out BGN’s latest mock draft roundup.)

This week’s SB Nation mock draft goes three rounds deep. Here’s who Dan Kadar has the Philadelphia Eagles taking with their top three picks:

25. Philadelphia Eagles: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

Offseason needs: Cornerback, offensive tackle, running back, defensive line

Defensive tackles like Dexter Lawrence of Clemson and Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State may have a higher ranking than Jones, but both are a little too similar stylistically to standout Eagles lineman Fletcher Cox. Those players all excel at taking on blockers and filling gaps, while Jones specializes in splitting gaps.

53. Philadelphia Eagles (via Baltimore): Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State

57. Philadelphia Eagles: D’Andre Walker, Edge, Georgia

Before we start talking about Jones, allow me to note that the following popular Eagles mock draft targets were off the board: Montez Sweat (No. 16), Christian Wilkins (No. 17), Andre Dillard (No. 18), Jachai Polite (No. 19), Josh Jacobs (No. 22), Greg Little (No. 23), Byron Murphy (No. 24).

Jones certainly profiles as the type of defensive tackle that Jim Schwartz covets for his attacking scheme. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein lists Nick Fairley, whom Schwartz drafted with the No. 13 overall pick in 2011, as Jones’ player comparison. Prospect overview:

Jones is an extremely athletic one-gapping three-technique with the ability to play a disruptive brand of football on all three downs. His potential has never been in doubt, but in 2018 the production finally matched the talent. His body type and playing style will open him up to more feast-or-famine snaps than some of the other defensive tackles in this draft, but in the right scheme, he can become part of a swarm unit that plays on the other side of the ball.

The 6-3, 283 pound Jones had 43 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and two defensive touchdowns as a senior. That’s some quality production.

Not everyone is so high on Jones. BGN’s Benjamin Solak doesn’t even have him in his top 10 interior defensive linemen. Other analysts from The Draft Network have him ranked as: iDL5, iDL7, iDL9, and iDL9.

Moving on, the Eagles’ first second-round selection is a Penn State alumnus. The 6-1, 203 pound Oruwariye (pronounced OH-rue-war-ee-AY) seems like another prospect who fits Philly’s preference. His player comparison is Rasul Douglas. Prospect overview:

He can be an effective press-man defender, but must win at the line of scrimmage or he could become an early target for quarterbacks as he lacks makeup speed once he’s beaten. Oruwariye is a proven disruptor at the catch point and is willing to step up and take on run support duties. When all factors are considered, he’ll be considered a scheme fit for zone-heavy teams who covet physicality in press.

I think the Eagles drafting a corner on Day 2 is slightly more likely than them doing it on Day 1 but I still don’t think it happens at all. The Eagles seem to like the young guys they already have at that position.

The Eagles finally add an edge rusher with their second second-round pick in this mock draft. Walker is ranked as somewhere from the eighth to tenth best player at his position in this year’s class. His player comparison is Dee Ford. Prospect overview:

Slightly undersized 3-4 outside linebacker prospect with edge burst and slippery upper body to slide around blocks and find pathways to the quarterback. Walker is a linear mover who can be clunky in space, but he’s productive in the impact categories that can help sway games. He needs to improve his play strength and technique to handle run responsibilities, but he could find early work as a rotational edge-bending rush specialist until he’s ready to take over as a starter.

Walker is on the smaller side at just 6-2, 240 pounds. The Eagles don’t have a defensive end on their roster that currently weighs under 255. And that lightest guy is practice squad pass rusher Joe Ostman. Everyone else weighs 265 or more.

What do you think about these picks?