The 2023 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away and the excitement continues to build. Rumors have been flying for months and now we will finally get to see if any of our predictions come true. Who will be the first quarterback to come off the board? When will we see the first trade and how many will there be in the first round? Those questions and more will be answered on April 27. Before we get there, let's get into another seven-round mock draft for the Philadelphia Eagles. There are a number of directions they could go throughout the draft.
Round 1, Pick 10: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Eagles drafting the dynamic Longhorn back has been a popular pick in mock drafts these past few months. If they do in fact stick at 10th overall, taking Robinson would make the most sense as he is arguably the best overall player in the draft. With Miles Sanders gone, the Eagles need a top back to bring their offense together. This selection would make that offense, led by the recently extended Jalen Hurts, virtually unstoppable. Even if Kenneth Gainwell can take another step, he's no Bijan Robinson. I mean, who is?
*Eagles trade picks 30 and 248 to New Orleans Saints for picks 40 and 71
Round 2, Pick 40 (via New Orleans): Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Howie Roseman isn't going to stay put throughout the whole draft. After sticking with the pick they got from the Saints prior to last year's draft, they once again trade with New Orleans. The Saints move back into the first round while giving Philadelphia the 40th pick and a third-rounder. With the new pick, the Eagles beef up their defensive line. Keeping Kancey in state, Philly gets a stud to slide in next to Jordan Davis for years to come.
*Eagles trade picks 62 and 219 to Denver Broncos for picks 67 and 108
Round 3 Pick 67 (via Denver): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Trading down once again, the Eagles shift focus to the secondary. After losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Eagles have a big hole to fill at safety. Reed Blankenship is certainly a serviceable safety and could very well take a step forward this year. But outside of the former undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee, the safety room is pretty barren. They did add Terrell Edmunds, which helps, but the depth is lacking. Johnson is arguably the best pure safety in the class and has a high ceiling as a starter in the NFL. He has all the traits to succeed in the Eagles defense.
*Eagles trade pick 71 and 2024 5th to Kansas City Chiefs for pick 82 and 2024 3rd
Round 3, Pick 82 (via Kansas City): Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
There isn't a better duo than Roseman and trading picks, as he does it yet again. Doubling up on the secondary, the Eagles shift focus to cornerback. The Eagles, a team that just made the Super Bowl, aren't going to have much to fill up many holes in the draft, even with the free agent losses. Retaining both Darius Slay and James Bradberry, while adding Greedy Williams, the cornerback room only really needs depth. Slay is also going into his age 32 season, so the Birds could look to add a young understudy that will eventually take over the starting role. Ricks will take some work to get to the level that people have expected from him, but Slay and Bradberry are the perfect guys to sit behind. Drafting an Alabama player is always a pretty safe bet as well.
Round 3, Pick 94: Henry To'o To'o, LB, Alabama
Doubling up on former Crimson Tide, the Eagles work to fill the void left by departing linebackers TJ Edwards and Kyzir White. Nakobe Dean, who was drafted last year, will go into the season as the starting middle linebacker, while Haason Reddick returns as the SAM linebacker. To'o To'o has a lot of solid traits that can developed while he sits behind Dean and Reddick. The Alabama alum could benefit from adding on some size as he is a bit undersized for the middle linebacker position.
*Eagles trade pick 108 to Cleveland Browns for picks 111 and 190
Round 4, Pick 111 (via Cleveland): Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Trading back a few picks, Philadelphia snags a sixth rounder Cleveland. In turn, they take a player from the same state as the team they traded with. Along the edge, the Eagles retained Brandon Graham while also bringing in Kentavious Street - not off the "street" - but from the Saints. Harrison has elite traits and could be a steal in the fourth round. The former Buckeye needs to be more consistent and not disappear on plays, but his traits alone are worthy of an earlier round selection.
Round 6, Pick 190 (via Cleveland): Juice Scruggs, OG/C, Penn State
It's not likely the Eagles leave this draft without an offensive lineman, as they love to work the trenches. That's where the game is won and lost, after all. Future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce is back for another season, but he is going to have to retire eventually. Even if he were to play forever, the Eagles can just continue to draft versatile linemen that not only excel at center but can play either guard position as well. Scruggs is no exception to that end, as he has top-level experience at center and guard at Penn State. He is very much an underrated lineman prospect and his traits are worthy of an early round selection.
Main image credit: From Getty Images
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