NFL Mock Draft 2019: Eagles go offensive tackle despite bringing Jason Peters back

There are 38 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 mock draft takes last week’s free agency signings and trades into account. Here’s who SB Nation’s Dan Kadar now has the Philadelphia Eagles taking with the No. 25 overall pick:

25. Philadelphia Eagles: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss: Offseason needs: Cornerback, offensive tackle, running back, defensive line. Little has as much pure talent as any offensive tackle in the draft, but the technical aspects of his game need work. Going to Philadelphia, where he can sit a year behind the great Jason Peters, would be the ideal scenario. Few blockers set their base as well as Peters, and that’s exactly where Little needs to improve.

Notable players the Eagles passed on in this scenario include: Josh Jacobs, Cody Ford, Jachai Polite, and Jeffery Simmons.

Kadar has previously mocked Little to the Eagles and it’s not a pick that fans are crazy about.

The dissatisfaction comes in part from the pick feeling like a reach. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein prospect grade for Little is “Chance to Become NFL Starter.” The Draft Network guys have Little ranked as their: OT5, OT7, OT8, OT8, and OT10. Those same guys have Ford as either their second or third best tackle in this year’s class.

I certainly don’t think it’s impossible the Eagles draft a tackle at No. 25 even after bringing Peters back. He’s 37 years old and this is likely his last NFL season, for real this time. There’s some merit in developing a future starter behind him.

But I do think bringing Peters back decreased the odds of Philly going offensive tackle at No. 25. The Eagles shouldn’t be forcing a pick at that spot. Halapoulivaati Vaitai can be a spot starter while Jordan Mailata and Matt Pryor are young, developmental blockers with upside. Tackle is not an immediate need.

If Philly feels very strongly about a tackle such as a Little, they should take him. If not, bringing back Peters buys them another year to find his eventual replacement.

What do you think of this week’s selection? Who would’ve you picked?