The Wide World of Dirt

It is finally draft week! It is my absolute favorite time of the NFL offseason, and if I am being honest… my favorite part of the NFL, period.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all equivalent to Christmas in my eyes. Yes, I watch all seven rounds.

No, I don’t need help.

This is my final Eagles mock, and it’s quite different from my first! Now, once again I don’t have trades in this mock.

I say this because Howie Roseman is always manning the phones, and if there is an offer that makes sense, he will make it whether he moves up or down in the draft.

I expect a few trades, but for the sake of brevity, I will just keep their original picks. Let’s get to it!

Round 1, Pick 10: Peter Skoronski, IOL, Northwestern

In this mock, I had Jalen Carter fall one selection ahead of the Eagles to the Chicago Bears. Carter would be the dream scenario, and he is a player I expect the Eagles to try and trade up for.

However, as much as I would love Carter with the Eagles, Skoronski should not be overlooked. In my opinion, the Northwestern product is the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft.

The main issue is whether he will play as a guard or a tackle at the pro level. He played tackle in college, but he has very short arms for an NFL-caliber tackle.

That could be an issue. On the other hand, many expect that Skoronski slides over to guard, and he can be an instant pro-bowl level player in the interior.

He is that good.

Incredible footwork, nasty at the point-of-attack, and excels in both running and pass blocking techniques.

He can change an offensive line by himself, and adding him to the best offensive line in the NFL makes the Eagles that much harder to beat.

Round 1, Pick 30: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

My last mock had Kancey heading to the Eagles at 10; in this draft they get him at 30.

Quite frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if Kancey is long gone by this selection. Everything I said in my last mock remains true though.

Kancey is an athletic DT, something teams will always covet. You want to get pressure from the outside, sure, but if you can get pressure from the inside, that really opens up your defense.

That is exactly what the Eagles did last year en route to having a league-leading 70 sacks. Kancey would be an excellent fit.

Here’s what I said in my last mock:

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 is a freak athlete who would pair well with last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Davis.

With his size he’d 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.

*(Note: Eagles re-signed Fletcher Cox to a one-year, $10 million deal.)

Round 2, Pick 62: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

One of the best cornerback duos in the NFL will remain teammates for the immediate future as the Eagles were able to retain both Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the offseason.

However, relying on two 30-year old cornerbacks is a risky move for the future. They have to invest some capital in getting that position younger and hopefully drafting the heirs apparent.

The former Ute will probably be a nickel CB in the NFL with his shorter arms, but he is a playmaker. He can make big plays while playing tough.

Phillips would be able to learn from Slay, Bradberry, and Maddox to add to his game. That is a scary thought for opposing offenses.

Round 3, Pick 94: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

This might shock some people. From what I have been reading from Eagles insiders and draft analysts, the Eagles could take a TE pretty high.

They have Dallas Goedert of course, but after him… eh.

The Eagles love to run two tight end sets though Goedert is really the only threat on the roster at that position.

Goedert also has had some injuries the past few years. Also remember the Eagles selected Goedert with their first pick in the 2018 draft while Eagles’ legend Zack Ertz was still in his prime.

Enter Tucker Kraft.

This would be history repeating itself as the Eagles once again pick a tight end from South Dakota State with tremendous upside.

Kraft would be able to give the Eagles another target in their offense while also giving them some tremendous blocking.

Like Goedert before him, Kraft wouldn’t have the pressure to be TE1 on the roster and can learn from one of the best players at his position.

Sweetening the deal is Goedert shares an alma mater Kraft. Kraft would be able to open up this offense and gives Sirianni and company another weapon to get even more creative. 

Round 7, Pick 219: Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State

This late in the draft, you’re looking for projects, special teamers, or both.

Eagles lost both of their starting safeties from last year. Marcus Epps departed for Las Vegas, and CJ Gardner-Johnson went to Detroit.

The Eagles signed former first-round-pick Terrel Edmunds to a one-year deal, and undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship played well last season.

Just like last offseason, I expect the Eagles to try and get another player or two at the safety spot this year.

Hickman is a good run defender and adds more depth to a position starving for more formidable competition.

Round 7, Pick 248: Alex Forsyth, IOL, Oregon

Forsyth is another late-round prospect that is a project. He’s got good size but struggled with penalties during his time in Eugene.

Fortunately, the Eagles have Jeff Stoutland, the best position coach in the NFL.

Stoutland has been able to make quality offensive lineman out of late-round picks and unproven commodities since he’s been in Philly.

Eagles need more depth on the offensive line, and we know they like to build up the trenches. This pick could accomplish both.