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It is almost here. We are less than five days away from the 2020 NFL Draft and god knows we could all use the excitement. For the last simulation, I used Pro Football Focus for their mock simulator. Here’s how it went!
Round 1, Pick 10: CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
TRADE: Received Pick 10 from Cleveland. Gave Up 21, 127 and a 2021 second round pick
Other players available:
- Derrick Brown, Defensive Lineman, Auburn
- Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama
- Andrew Thomas, Offensive Lineman, Georgia
With rumors swirling that the Eagles want to aggressively pursue CeeDee Lamb, this is the way to do it. It is crucial the Eagles trade into the first ten picks in order to secure one of the top receivers. Getting ahead of the Jets and Las Vegas is key. So here they trade with Cleveland for what I think is a reasonable, but not ridiculous, price. Lamb is a day one star in the Eagles offense and they need a hoss at receiver more than anything. This is a no-brainer pick.
Round 2, Pick 53: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Other players available:
- Terrell Lewis, Edge, Alabama
- Cameron Dantzler, Cornerback, Mississippi State
- Bryce Hall, Cornerback, UVA
The Eagles get one of the most productive defenders in the draft here. Curtis Weaver had 47.5 tackles for a loss, 34 of those being sacks, in three seasons. He is a physical, high motor defender who could immediately contribute as a situational pass rusher and grow into an every down defender. With Derek Barnett’s future a bit unclear, Weaver gives the team some young insurance to keep the defensive line rotation dangerous.
Round 3, Pick 103: Devin Duvernay, Wide Receiver, Texas
Other Players Available:
- Logan Stenberg, Offensive Lineman, Kentucky
- Nick Harris, Offensive Lineman, Washington
- Jabari Zuniga, Edge, Florida
Tough, dependable hands and blazing speed after the catch… Who could want more? The Eagles got their number one receiver with CeeDee Lamb in the first round, but imagine adding Devin Duvernay to the mix. The 5’10”, 200 pounder could work as an intermediate option for the Eagles with his ability to make catches in traffic and turn short passes into big plays. Duvernay is also excellent at making plays down the field. He has all the workable qualities you’d want in a wide receiver and his lack of polish as a route runner could be worked around if he starts his career as more of a role player.
Round 4, Pick 145: Antonio Gibson, Running Back, Memphis
Other Players Available:
- Solomon Kindley, Offensive Lineman, Georgia
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Running Back, Vanderbilt
- Reggie Robinson, Cornerback, Tulsa
ANOTHER OFFENSIVE WEAPON? Yes. Antonio Gibson is a multi-faceted offensive player who can turn any touch into a score; be it as a receiver, a running back or a kick returner. With Darren Sproles and Jordan Howard out, the Eagles have touches to replace in their running back rotation and Gibson could complete a dangerous three headed monster with Miles Sanders and Boston Scott.
Round 4, Pick 146: Solomon Kindley, Offensive Lineman, Georgia
Other Players Available:
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Running Back, Vanderbilt
- Reggie Robinson, Cornerback, Tulsa
- Eno Benjamin, Running Back, ASU
Solomon Kindley would be a steal at this point in the draft. The Georgia guard is as big as he is mean and could be a nice developmental player for the Eagles interior offensive line
Round 5, Pick 168: Markus Bailey, Linebacker, Purdue
Other Players Available:
- AJ Dillon, Running Back, Boston College
- Jason Strowbridge, Defensive Lineman, UNC
- Yasir Durant, Offensive Lineman, Missouri
Markus Bailey is a late round gem who could pay off big for the Eagles. The speedy linebacker will likely take a hit because of his injury history, but he has star potential if he can stay healthy. This is a low-risk, high-reward pick that could massively boost the Eagles’ middling linebacker group.
Round 6, Pick 190: Harrison Hand, Cornerback, Temple
Other Players Available:
- Nick Coe, Defensive Lineman, Auburn
- Tanner Muse, Safety, Clemson
- Shaq Quarterman, Linebacker, Miami
The Eagles finish off the draft with a pick I have been mocking for the last month or so. Hand is an athletic, physical cornerback who could push for starting time early in his career. Using the last pick on a local player who has starter potential is great value.