2023 Eagles Mock – 2.0

Posted: April 10th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on 2023 Eagles Mock – 2.0

Time for round two with an Eagles only mock draft. I’m avoiding trades intentionally. I would prefer that Howie Roseman trade back to acquire extra picks, but focusing on the existing picks is a good exercise for figuring out which players and/or positions you really want.

Here is a link to mock 1.0.

Now onto the second attempt.

1st round – OT Peter Skoronski
1st round – Edge Will McDonald
2nd round – SAF Jartavius Martin
3rd round – DT Jaquelin Roy 
7th round – WR Puka Nacua
7th round – RB Evan Hull 

Let’s talk about the individual players.

1st round – OT Peter Skoronski – Northwestern – 6-4, 313

The Eagles love versatile, athletic, skilled blockers. Skoronski checks all those boxes. He is the best O-lineman in the draft. He lacks ideal size at 6-4 and with only 32 1/4 inch arms, but he can be a good starting OT in the NFL. I think Skoronski could play all five positions.

Skoronski would add depth at OT and OG as a rookie. He could take over at RG in 2024 (assuming Cam Jurgens moves to C). Skoronski could then take over for Lane Johnson at RT after that. There is great value in taking an OL early. Very few teams have enough good O-linemen. And if you have injuries hit up front, it can ruin a season. The Rams had OL issues last year and went from Super Bowl champs to 5-12. They were dead last in offensive yards. When you have a chance to get someone who can be a plus starter at OT or OG, do it.

1st round – Edge Will McDonald – Iowa State – 6-4, 245

More than a few people have compared McDonald to Haason Reddick. I’m sure that’s not lost on Eagles coaches and scouts. McDonald is a highly athletic pass rusher with good length. His arms are almost 35 inches long.

https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1638358070173618176

McDonald is versatile. He played DE in a 3-man line most of the time (5-tech). He’s got the skill set to be a LB/Edge rusher. McDonald has great agility and burst. He’s got a relentless motor. He’s also willing to do the dirty work and battle on run downs.

Age is an issue. McDonald will turn 24 soon. Still, he’s a really intruiging talent and would be an ideal backup for Reddick. We also know Nick Sirianni has plenty of connections with the ISU staff so if McDonald is a high character guy, they’d know all the details.

2nd round – SAF Jartavius Martin – Illinois – 5-11, 194

Sydney Brown was the star safety for the Illini this past season, but Martin is the better prospect. I just watched tape on him this weekend. He played nickel and safety. Martin is a gifted athlete who is comfortable in man coverage, but can also play deep and then break on the ball. He ran 4.46 at the Combine and had a vertical jump of 44 inches. That’s crazy. I was surprised at what a good hitter and tackler Martin is. He’s not huge, but he will hit.

The Eagles like DBs that are interchangeable. Martin fits that bill for sure. He can play deep, in the box or in the slot. He picked off 7 passes in his career and has good hands. He’s got the kind of playmaking potential they like on the back end.

 

3rd round – DT Jaquelin Roy – LSU – 6-3, 305 

Most people focus on replacing Javon Hargrave and his 11 sacks. Milton Williams is a talented pass rusher who could help in that regard. I think the Eagles would love a DL who can 2-gap and play the run. That’s Roy.

He’s not just a huge DT to eat up blocks. Roy can shed and get to the ball. He didn’t test well, but Roy will make hustle plays. The Eagles brought him to Philly for a visit so we know he’s on their radar. Roy could play NT and DT for the Eagles. He would help when teams started to run the ball and a more stout front was needed.

7th round – WR Puka Nacua – BYU – 6-2, 201

If the Eagles want a replacement for Zach Pascal, Nacua would make a lot of sense. He’s not the fastest or most athletic receiver, but Nacua is a good prospect. Watching him at the Senior Bowl, Nacua seemed like a player that Sirianni would like. He was tough and competitive.

This is the kind of guy I’d take a chance on. Sirianni loves to talk about players who are likely to maximize their potential. Nacua feels like that kind of a player. He might never be great, but he could be a terrific role player. He averaged 16 yards per reception so he was a playmaker at BYU. He was 39-357-5 as a runner so they were creative with how they used Nacua and he delivered. I think he would embrace a role on STs, which all backups have to do.

7th round – RB Evan Hull – Northwestern – 5-10, 209 

The most Sirianni player in the whole draft. I doubt he lasts this long, but this is a deep RB class and someone has to fall. Hull is one of my favorite guys in the draft. He was the key to the NW offense. They knew it. The defense knew it. Hull still made his share of plays and battled all game long. He had more than 31 percent of their offensive touches in 2022. That’s a workhorse.

Hull really stood out to me at the Senior Bowl with how he approached practice. He was the first in line on every rep. He did everything full speed. Hull was a leader on the field, even though he wasn’t close to the biggest, fastest or most talented. It’s not like he’s some schlub. Hull had a terrific career and he’s a gifted athlete. He’s also a skilled runner/receiver.

Hull is absolutely a guy you want on your team. He can return kicks or punts if needed. He’ll play on STs. He will block, catch or run. Whatever you need, he’ll do it and do it well. I value him a lot more than the 7th round, but it is hard to get a feel for when he’ll really go.

*****

I really hope Howie is able to do some dealing and add extra picks. I hate waiting to take a WR at the end of the draft.

*****

Brents is a long, athletic corner. The Eagles should definitely have interest.

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