The Wide World of Dirt

It’s my favorite time of the year: the NFL offseason!

Specifically the NFL Draft. This is my favorite part of the year because I am absolutely obsessed with the draft! I love researching the players and watching films on them. I’ve been doing this for years now, and every year I feel like I learn more!

Here’s my Philadelphia Eagles mock draft 1.0 post-combine:*

(Editor’s Note: This didn’t include any trades.)

ROUND 1 Pick 10: Calijah Kancey, DT Pitt

While it pains me as a West Virginia fan that a Pitt player goes to my Eagles, Kancey is everything I want in a defensive tackle.

With the Eagles slated to lose Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Linval Joseph, and Ndamukong Suh, the Eagles need more bodies. It also helps that the Eagles LOVE prioritizing the offensive and defensive lines.

Kancey is a bit undersized, but he’s also a freak athlete who would pair well with last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Davis. With his size, Kancey would be able to move across the line in various packages. Versatility paired with athleticism is something that is valued around the league, and so are inside rushers.

Round 1 Pick 30: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Alabama

The Eagles are probably going to let Miles Sanders walk.

With the way runningbacks are valued in the NFL, I don’t believe the Eagles are going to pay up unless Sanders is willing to take less than what he wants.

The Eagles haven’t taken a running back in the first round in a long time, but where they are slated to pick, I could see this happening.

Gibbs would give this offense another dangerous weapon, especially in the receiving department, something Sanders was never quite able to do efficiently.

Gibbs would give Hurts another weapon to throw to out of the backfield, thus elevating an already-explosive offense.

Round 2 Pick 62: Eli Ricks, CB Alabama

The Eagles have finally dipped into the Alabama pool after years of not doing so; they shouldn’t stop now.

Ricks doesn’t have a ton of playing time under his belt but has flashed potential. He’s got really long arms that can be used in both on and off press. He struggles with vertical speed, but with some coaching he can be the heir apparent to Slay in this secondary.

Round 3 Pick 94: Nathaniel Dell, WR Houston

The Eagles have spent a premium on wide receiver the past few years, and while it has yielded stars DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown, they haven’t been able to find a reliable WR3.

Enter Dell, who has game-breaking speed that brings a lot to an offense. Dell could be used a lot in pre-snap motion or straight go routes. He could also give the Eagles a legitimate threat as a returns specialist.

Round 7 Pick 221: Richard Gouraige, T Florida

The Eagles love drafting linemen. They are in need of depth at the position and a legitimate swing tackle. Taking a flier on a late-round prospect for Jeff Stoutland can yield results, look no further than Jordan Mailata.

Round 7 Pick 250: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB UCLA

The Eagles hold the backup quarterback spot at such a high value. They are slated to lose Gardner Minshew this offseason. Though they’ll probably sign a veteran in free agency, I’m sure they’ll like to look for a cheap, inexpensive option.

Thompson-Robinson is a guy I think they’ll like because he can fit in the “Jalen Hurts” mold. He’s athletic and can use his feet, but questions about his arm strength. If he can develop into a backup, the Eagles will be all over this pick.