Weekly Eagles Draft Simulation: Three wide receivers end up in Philadelphia

Welcome to week nine of our Weekly Eagles Draft Simulation! The Draft Network’s draft machine came in handy once again to look at a potential dream scenario for the Eagles this spring.

Round 1, Pick 21: Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU

Other Players Available:

• Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU
• Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU
• Zack Baun, Linebacker, Wisconsin

After a couple weeks of fighting it, I have come around on Justin Jefferson in midnight green. I have never ever thought Jefferson was a bad player, but I thought drafting a slot receiver in the first doesn’t exactly fit what Philly needs. However, Jefferson is *so good* as an intermediate receiver in terms of his cerebral ability to attack zone coverage, his soft hands and his fantastic YAC ability. Jefferson’s speed and size out of the slot combined with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert in the middle of the field would make the Eagles intermediate passing game dangerous.

Round 2, Pick 53: Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver, Clemson

Other Players Available:

• Jeremy Chinn, Safety, Northern Illinois
• AJ Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson
• Ashtyn Davis, Safety, California

And now for the cherry on top. I have been a big proponent of Higgins but it seems like consensus is working against him in the last few months. Getting him in the second round would be almost too good to be true for the Eagles, especially if they can get Jefferson in the first. Higgins is a power forward at the wide receiver position with his great size and nimble feet. With the weapons the Eagles have to attack the middle of the field, Higgins could be singled up as a deep threat. Having Higgins, Jefferson, Ertz and Goedert in the red zone together too? Holy hell.

Round 3, Pick 103: Troy Dye, Linebacker, Oregon

Other Players Available:

• Ben Bartch, Offensive Tackle, St. John
• Hunter Bryant, Tight End, Washington
• Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Florida

Dye is one of my favorite players in the class. He is a tough, smart and athletic linebacker who led the Oregon defense last year. Dye would immediately start in the Eagles defense and develop into a tackling machine.

Round 4, Pick 127: Shane Lemieux, Offensive Guard, Oregon

Other Players Available:

• Gabriel Davis, Wide Receiver, UCF
• Brandon Jones, Safety, Texas
• Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse

The Oregon double dip! Shane Lemieux is a versatile, experienced offensive lineman who can play tackle, guard and maybe even center. He is the perfect type of player whose athleticism and proficiency as a run blocker would be perfect to groom for a potential future starting guard.

Round 4, Pick 145: Tyler Johnson, Wide Receiver, Minnesota

Other Players Available:

• Collin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Texas
• Markus Bailey, Linebacker, Purdue
• Devin Duvernay, Wide Receiver, Texas

I didn’t go into this draft simulation thinking there would be a triple play at wide receiver, but Tyler Johnson being available this late was too good to pass up on. Johnson was extremely productive for the Golden Gophers last year. How productive? Well, he accounted for over 40% of their catches, receiving yards AND receiving touchdowns. No other top pass catcher has that level of production in their final season. Johnson is a tough player with great hands and better ball skills. He is not the best athlete, but Johnson’s mental tools could make him a future contributor in the Eagles offense.

Round 4, Pick 146: Harrison Hand, Cornerback, Temple

Other Players Available:

• Collin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Texas
• Markus Bailey, Linebacker, Purdue
• Devin Duvernay, Wide Receiver, Texas

This pick feels like a no-brainer at this point, even as a late round selection. Hand’s combination of size, toughness and athleticism, as well as being a local product, makes him a great fit for the Eagles given their need to develop cornerbacks.

Round 5, Pick 168: Jonathan Garvin, Edge, Miami

Other Players Available:

• Bravvion Roy, Defensive Tackle, Baylor
• Harrison Bryant, Tight End, FAU
• Myles Bryant, Cornerback, Washington

Jonathan Garvin’s upside makes a lot of sense if the Eagles are trying to groom young defensive linemen. Garvin could never put it together at Miami, but similar to Josh Sweat, he could become a really nice rotational piece in Philly.

Round 6, Pick 190: Tyler Huntley, Quarterback, Utah

Other Players Available:

• Tanner Muse, Safety, Clemson
• Omar Bayless, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
• Tyler Clark, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

With speculation about the Eagles taking a late round quarterback, Tyler Huntley makes a lot of sense for a developmental passer and backup quarterback. Huntley’s arm strength, care with the football and mobility makes him an attractive young signal caller.