Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Misc Draft Talk

Posted April 3rd, 2026 | 1 Comment »

There hasn’t been a whole lot of Eagles related draft news recently so let’s talk about a variety of things. We’ll start with some mock draft thoughts.

I look at mock drafts as thought experiments. What if this happened? What if the Eagles took that player? We know unexpected things happen so it isn’t ideal to shoot down every mock draft that you don’t like. A lot of the mocks I’ve seen have the Eagles taking an OL. That makes total sense. They need someone to be Lane Johnson’s replacement in the future. There is a good group of OTs in this class so this is the time to take one if you get a chance.

I’ve mentioned Georgia LT Monroe Freeling as one guy I could see Howie trading up for if the price was right.

I doubt the Eagles get a shot at him, but he could be a special player in a few years. He needs to get stronger. He needs experience. That stuff will come with time.

Other mocks have the Eagles taking a pass rusher. There is no question the Eagles need to add someone via the draft or a trade. We haven’t heard anything on the Jonathan Greenard front so it looks like the draft for now. While there is a need I don’t expect the Eagles to go for a pass rusher in the first round. This is about resources and economics. The defense has a lot of young talent because the team focused on that side in recent drafts. It feels like they need need to go offense to even things out. They won’t force the issue. The right player has to be available at 23.

The one mock draft that really got my attention had the Eagles going for DT Kayden McDonald. Huh? He’s a big, run-stuffing NT type. The Eagles already have Jordan Davis, who is a big, run-stuffing NT type. I didn’t get this pick at all. Adding a DT who can rush the passer…maybe. That still feels like it would be a poor use of resources.

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There is now a lot of talk about QB Ty Simpson sneaking into the first round. He’s not worth a high pick, but could make sense in the 20’s. If a team like the Browns or Jets wants to go get him, they could talk to the Eagles about a trade. Howie might not want to move back, but if the offer is right it could make a lot of sense.

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A lot of people are critical of this draft class. I don’t get that at all. The top of the class is weak. This isn’t the year you want a Top 10 pick. But the more I watch of the overall class, the more I like it.

The Eagles would like to add a guard at some point. I think Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech would be great, but there is now talk that he could be a Top 50 pick. There are some mid-round guys I like. Beau Stephens from Iowa is tenacious. He’s got good size at 6-5, 315. He is a grinder who I think would be a good fit in the new offense.

I really enjoyed watching him play.

Brian Parker played RT for Duke, but doesn’t have the footwork for that spot in the NFL. Teams want him as a center or guard. Parker is 6-5, 309. He went to the Shrine Game and looked right at home playing as a center. He might remind you of a poor man’s Gray Zabel. He moved from OT to RG and helped Seattle win the Super Bowl as a rookie. Zabel went in the first round. Parker isn’t that good, but could be a good starter in the NFL.

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The Eagles brought DB Jalon Kilgore to Philly for a visit. I can see why they like him. Kilgore has safety size at 6-1, 210, but has corner speed. He ran a 4.40 at the Combine. He has played in the slot quite a bit. I think that would just make the Eagles like him more. They value versatile DBs. Drew Mukuba played nickel for a lot of his college career.

I think he could sneak into the second round.

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Another prospect the Eagles brought to Philly is TE Nate Boerkircher. He only caught 38 career passes, but that was due to the teams he played on and not his ability.

Boerkircher can block and catch. He is a good athlete. Boerkircher is the kind of TE that you would want to replace Dallas Goedert long term.

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