Weekly Eagles Draft Simulation: Finally, a first round wide receiver

Welcome to Week Three of the Draft Simulation! The Draft Network’s simulator got fired up again to take us through another possible scenario of how the draft could play out. With the combine, free agency and comp pick allocations coming up; these sims are going to alter dramatically. However it will be fun to see how they change.

Round 1, Pick 21: Laviska Shenault Junior, Wide Receiver

Other Players Available:

• Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
• CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida
• Yegur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State

For the first time in this series I went with a wide receiver in the first round. Not only is Laviska Shenault Junior a phenomenal player on his own, I wanted to see how a first round receiver would change the mock trajectory. Shenault can line up all over the field and make big plays; he’s sure handed, strong as hell and very good after the catch. He would be an immediate impact player in the Eagles passing game.

Round 2, Pick 53: Curtis Waver, Edge, Boise State

Other Players Available:

• KJ Hamler, Wide Receiver, Penn State
• Lloyd Cushenberry III, Interior Offensive Lineman, LSU
• AJ Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson

This would be a steal for Philly. Curtis Weaver is a physical, high motor pass rusher and one of the most productive players in this year’s draft. He would quickly work into the defensive line rotation and become a future starter for the Eagles.

Round 3, Pick 85: Amik Robertson, Cornerback, LaTech

Other Players Available:

• Cole Kmet, Tight End, Notre Dame
• Troy Pride Junior, Cornerback, Notre Dame
• Malik Harrison, Linebacker, Ohio State

Third week in a row. I am willing this pick into existence. The Eagles need playmakers in their secondary and Robertson was a turnover machine at Louisiana Tech.

Round 4, Pick 117: Bryan Edwards, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Other Players Available:

• KJ Hill, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
• Collin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Texas
• Shane Lemieux, Offensive Guard, Oregon

Bryan Edwards’ stock would be a lot higher if not for a foot injury that is keeping him out of combine participation. The 6’3” receiver was productive for South Carolina despite the offense not being particularly dynamic. Edwards is a big bodied receiver who is sneakily good after the catch. He would give the Eagles a huge target in the middle of the field.

Round 5, Pick 148: JR Reed, Safety, Georgia

Other Players Available:

• Jordan Elliot, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
• Isaiah Hodgins, Wide Receiver, Oregon State
• Ezra Cleveland, Offensive Tackle, Boise State

The Eagles are probably going to need to sure up their safety group this offseason with Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod’s futures in flux. If both are gone, they’ll need to be picking a safety a lot higher. It’s not that dire at this point, but thinking about insurance in the secondary is important. Reed is a smart, hard hitting safety who could play either strong or free safety.

Round 5, Pick 150: Michael Onwenu, Guard, Michigan

Other Players Available:

• Jack Driscoll, Offensive Tackle, Auburn
• Devin Duvernay, Wide Receiver, Texas
• Jordan Fuller, Safety, Ohio State

Another regular in these simulations. Onwenu is an intriguing developmental players to add some youth to the Eagles offensive line.

Round 6, Pick 170: Antonio Gibson, Running Back, Memphis

Other Players Available:

• Reggie Floyd, Safety, Virginia Tech
• Chase Claypool, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
• Lamical Perine, Running Back, Florida

Antonio Gibson is exactly the type of hybrid, offensive chess piece player the Eagles would benefit from. Gibson was deployed all over the field for Memphis and made plays in the backfield carrying and catching the ball, lining up at receiver and as a special teams player. Gibson is a unique athlete who could have an offseason rise. For now, he’d be a steal this late in the draft.