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Mock Draft - No trades, No QB - The Draft Network

Yep, another mock draft. That's what we do this time of year right? For this mock I used The Draft Network's Mock Simulator. I've done a ton of mocks on there, but today I decided to do one, all the way through, instead of multiple tries hoping for my favorite prospects to fall to the Eagles (see pick 1.6 note). I'm also on the board of not drafting a QB (at least highly) this year, and seeing what we have in Hurts. Give him some tools to work with and see if he can be the guy.

So, would love to hear your thoughts on this mock, and if the Eagle's draft played out this way. I'm open to all criticism, cheap shots, etc. Without further ado...

1.6 - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

It's clear the Eagles need a prominent receiver on the team. Reagor can be a really good WR2, but I don't think he has what it takes to be the #1 guy. Many are scared of Smith's size, but if you watched him play at Alabama, he plays much bigger than his stature. He's a smooth athlete, excellent route runner, and just ultra reliable... something the Eagles desparately need outside. Waddle was still on the board, but I think we need someone with better ball skills considering we invested a 1st in Reagor - Waddle is pretty much a better Reagor. (Note: Chase was taken at #3 by Miami in this mock simulation).

2.38 - Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

It was tough to take a TE here, but I strongly believe Philly needs to restock the cupboard in offensive talent. To hedge his bet on his poor track record of drafting pass catchers, Howie should give this guy a hard look in the second round. With the Eagles likely to move on from Ertz, and Siri liking to run 12 personnel, getting a solid TE2 to play with Goedert should be a priority. The clear TE2 in this class after Pitts, Freiermuth is an excellent athlete for his size and gives us another dependable pass cather after taking Smith.

3.70 - Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

Gone are the days of big receivers bodying the Eagles' small corners. This kid is big, athletic CB that will be a perfect complement to the opposite side of Darius Slay, and could develop into Philly's CB1 once Slay is out the door. He also seems to be a good fit for Gannon's defensive scheme, being keen on bigger DBs and playing a lot of cover 2. (Full disclosure, I was surprised he was available here. I think he'll shoot up boards in the draft process)

3.85 - Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

Since Howie refuses to spend top-tier draft capital on LBs, I waited to get one until the end of the 3rd with this new pick from the Colts. Cox is a good-sized, great athlete who can run and cover with the best of them. Considering the Eagles took Davion Taylor around this same spot last year, this pick provides better, immediate value because I believe Cox can start from day 1. His size and speed offers versatility for where you play him too.

5.151 - Richard LeCounte III, S, Georgia

I don't know a ton about his game but he was the best safety left on the board (a team need) and he comes with SEC experience. He's described as a hybrid safety which seems like he could fit well in Gannon's cover 2 scheme. I've also read his strengths lie in pass coverage, and that's a big need considering Philly's safety play the last two seasons.

5.155 - Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky

Really wanted to take a DT here with some good ones on the board, but with the uncertainty of Kelce, getting a future center is a big need for the Eagles. His strenghs seem to lie in run blocking and we know that Sirianni is going to want to establish the run much more than Doug P did.

6.192 - Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State

Knowing Sirianni's offensive philosophy, we need to get another RB who can handle carries right away. Coming from Oregon State, not many have watched Jefferson play, but man this kid can run. He's not a classic bruiser but is definitley more of one than Sanders, and at 5'9 215 lbs., he can survive hits. He's also a really good athlete and has passing game versatility. One of my favorite later-round RB prospects in this draft.

6.220 - Chauncey Golston, EDGE/DE, Iowa

Since we don't know what's going to happen with Barnett, and with BG aging, it's important we get a decent DE prospect in this draft. Golston won't wow you with his pass rushing abilities, but he's a great edge setter and strong in the run game, which is needed if Josh Sweat is in the team's future plans, who is sort of the opposite of this guy. And he's a decent athlete so the pass rushing skills could develop

7.228 - Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue

As mentioned earlier, I wanted to take DT earlier but decided to go with a center. With Fletch aging and Jackson a likely cut, DT is a bigger need then some might think. Neal was a solid college player and has NFL blood ties, which can bode well for projections. His ceiling isn't super high but he could be a decent stop-gap while Cox ages, and a solid depth piece along the front.