This is my second and final Eagles mock draft for this years’ 2023 class. This draft was much less formulaic than my 1st Eagles mock draft. Instead of seeking players that fill particular requirements for the Eagles, I simply sought to pick what—In my opinion— I saw as a dream draft scenario for the Eagles. Obviously, the picks had to be made within reason (no I’m not mocking Jalen Carter to the Eagles at 10). I made all of these picks using PFF’s mock draft simulator:
Trade
Eagles move back four spots to pick 14 and receive pick 46 in return from the Patriots. It seems consensus that the Eagles are going to trade at-least one of their first round picks. The question is which one and what will they receive in return. Making a move back from 10 into the teens would give the Eagles five picks within the top 100. That’s great value for a team looking to get younger and cheaper amidst Jalen Hurts’ contract extension.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
A study from Eric Eager in 2021 found that the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th receiving options of an offense all have a higher correlation to EPA per play during the playoffs than 1st receiving options do. In other words, if the Eagles want to win playoff games over the next few years, perhaps the best thing they can do is further improve their secondary receiving options. A good way to start would be by replacing Quez Watkins with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Many people might argue that WR3 isn’t a big need, but I disagree. In three of the Eagles’ four losses last year, Quez Watkins made big mistakes. He fumbled in the Washington loss, was responsible for an interception in the Dallas loss, and dropped a crucial pass in the Super Bowl.
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Tony Pauline, who predicted Cam Jurgens to the Eagles last year, is all over Adebawore to the Eagles. In a recent episode of the Pro Football Network Football Insiders Podcast, he said, “I’m told that Howie Roseman absolutely loves the guy”. In one of his recent mock drafts, he even wrote, “The Eagles compare Adetomiwa Adebawore to the aging Brandon Graham as a quick, explosive, and athletic edge rusher.” If the Eagles have fallen in love with Adebawore as a prospect, I’d be perfectly fine with the pick at 30. His upside combined with the Eagles’ recent history in developing pass rushers justifies the pick.
Darnell Washington
The Eagles offense is already elite. With another all-around tight end, their offense would become even more elite. What would defenses do if the Eagles came out in 12 personnel with AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Darnell Washington? If they sell out to stop the run, they’re going to get exposed through the air. If they sell out to stop the pass, they’re going to get gashed on the ground via the league’s best offensive line, two great blocking tight ends, and Jeff Stoutland’s running schemes. This would be a home-run pick for Philadelphia.
Siaki Ika
After Jordan Davis got injured last year, the Eagles’ biggest positional weakness quickly became their Nose-Tackle play. The Eagles need someone to do a similar job to Jordan Davis when he’s out via injury or taking a snap off. If we don’t have a player like that, our run defense will consistently get gashed in the absence of Davis. Siaki Ika would certainly fill that role for Philadelphia’s defense. His 6 ft. 4, 335 pound frame is built to stop the run from the nose tackle position.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
An underrated need for the Eagles’ defense is a backup nickel corner. When Avonte Maddox was injured last year, Josiah Scott was a liability in coverage. Unless the Eagles’ feel like they can develop Scott into a better player, they need to upgrade their backup slot corner. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson from TCU would be a good answer, especially at pick 94. If you were evaluating Hodges-Tomlinson based on sheer athleticism, aggressiveness, versatility, and coverage-skills, he’d be a 1st round pick. But his 5’9” height and 181 pound weight, are understandably causing him to fall down draft boards.
Ventrell Miller
Besides limited athleticism, there’s a lot to like about Ventrell Miller. In three years of starting experience at Florida, Miller totaled over 1,600 defensive snaps. What highlights the 24 year-old’s tape is that he’s never out of position. He rarely misreads play-action and is always with the flow of the football. Miller is also a big-hitter who rarely misses tackles on film. These are all traits the Eagles could use in their third linebacker spot, which is currently filled by Christian Ellis. Linebacker depth may be something Howie Roseman is seeking to address in undrafted free agency, not the draft. However, I thought Miller was too good of a value (179th on PFF’s big board) to pass up at pick 219.
Jake Witt
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. An offensive tackle who has all the physical tools to become a starter falls to the Eagles in the 7th round of the draft. Jake Witt—much like Jordan Mailata—is a player who has very little experience at tackle coming into the league. But his athleticism is undeniable. He scored a 9.8 out of 10.0 on the relative athletic score, while being 6’7” and 302 pounds. Although he’s only been playing tackle for 15 months, his lack of experience allows for both more room for growth and less bad habits. Jeff Stoutland would be eager to work with a talent like Witt.