Get spicy
As we get closer to the draft the mock drafters are settling into a handful of likely candidates for the Eagles to select: Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon, Donovan Ezeirauku, and Nic Scourton.
This week let’s focus on some players that haven’t been typically mocked to the Eagles, but that still make some sense.
Matthew Jones, Fantasy Pros – EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
I’ll admit to not putting a ton of thought into most positions here, because I love the idea of adding Shemar Stewart to the roster. Despite his size, he’s alignment-versatile. In terms of his playing style, he may suit Vic Fangio’s “gap and a half” type of defensive front better than an alternative, like Mississippi’s Walter Nolen, whom I also considered.
Philadelphia lost some front-seven defenders this offseason. As a team picking at the end of the first round, a specimen like Stewart is a nice prospect to take a risk on.
It feels unlikely that Shemar Stewart will be available to the Eagles at 32. And that very well could be a good thing, because Stewart is a big risk. His athletic profile is outstanding. His production was pathetic, in 37 games he had 4.5 sacks and 12 TFLs. His tape is not much better than his production, this is not a guy who keeps getting so close to making a play.
Someone will draft him in the 1st round entirely on his physical upside, because that’s all he has to offer. It’ll likely be well before the Eagles are on the clock. But if he is somehow still on the board, this is the type of gamble the Eagles have taken before.
Cameron Sheath, Pro Football Network – DB Jahdae Barron, Texas
*Trade: Philadelphia sends Nos. 32, 96, 134, and 165 to Green Bay for No. 23.
What could be more on-brand than a trade that allows the Green Bay Packers to accumulate extra picks while the Philadelphia Eagles capitalize on a falling value?
Jahdae Barron may very well be gone much earlier in the draft, but they can’t all be taken higher. Much like Cooper DeJean in 2024, Barron’s unlikely slide is seized upon by the Eagles, who again have secondary needs to address. The loss of Darius Slay Jr. and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency means that the Eagles have holes to fill.
In order to maintain DeJean’s versatility, and therefore keep opposing quarterbacks guessing, the Eagles draft the similarly versatile Barron. Barron can play outside corner or inside in the slot, meaning that Philadelphia would have two of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL. Barron’s versatility would be a perfect fit for Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota, so the Eagles have to trade up to get their guy.
Barron is another guy that is unlikely to be available when the Eagles are on the clock at 32, so this mock is correct that the Eagles would need to trade up to get him. Barron can play outside corner, and if he can’t stick there he likely can as a safety/slot corner combo. This would be similar to Cooper DeJean in just draft good football players and figure out the rest later.
Last year showed that Howie Roseman will draft a DB in the first round in Quinyon Mitchell; and that he will trade up for one and draft one who may not have an exact role defined at the time of drafting in DeJean. Would he combine those for Barron if the opportunity presents itself?
Jason Pruett, DraftPlex – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
The Eagles seemingly broke even this offseason as far as additions and subtractions to their championship roster, leaving the organization in prime position to draft the best player available on their board or to consider trade offers from teams looking to jump back into the first round. If they stand in and pick, Colston Loveland could be in play and might offer the highest ceiling of anyone in what is currently a full tight end room in Philadelphia.
Dallas Goedert will not be on the Eagles this season, it’s a little surprising he is still on the roster. The team has no clear replacement for him, and this is a good draft if you want a TE. The Eagles should be able to draft a good prospect on day two, or early on day three. But if Colston Loveland, the best TE prospect in this draft is there at 32 though, he’d be hard to pass on.
Nate Davis, USA Today – EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
It’s not really an NFL draft unless the reigning champions enlist a defender from Athens. Even with a trade up, Williams could be a phenomenal value at this spot – and hard to believe he’d slip past subsequent teams to the 32nd spot – and a very nice backfill for departed Sweat.
The Eagles trade up to 26 with the Rams in this, no compensation given.
Williams has routinely been mocked in the top half of the 1st, and with good reason. He’s a really good athlete and has production, with more sacks in three seasons than fellow 1st round Bulldog pass rushers Travon Walker and Nolan Smith.
In this mock Donovan Ezeiruaku and Walter Nolen, two popular picks for the Eagles, are still on the board. I like the aggression of moving up, as I expect the Eagles will. Another Georgia DL feels cliche, but this would be a good move up for a really good prospect.
My turn
Three rounds, as usual. Since I like to have a theme for these mock round ups, let’s stick with the unusual but not insane selections.
1st round – G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
For me Jackson is the best guard in this draft. And he more than adequately filled in for Josh Simmons at LT after Simmons was lost for the season with a knee injury, which only boosts his profile. This draft is filled with college OTs who will maybe be guards in the NFL, here the Eagles get a bonafide guard who has shown he can hang at OT in a pinch if needed.
2nd round – EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
I have not really watched Oladejo. But the Eagles had him in for one of their 30 official visits, so there is some interest there. This is more research than most mock drafters put into their work.
3rd round – DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
Walker looked like a really good prospect coming into this season, and then he had a dud year. The Eagles are unafraid to draft that kind of player in the middle of the draft, as they did with Kelee Ringo and Jeremiah Trotter. Walker is a massive NT, 6’7” and 330 lbs, but he moves pretty well for a guy his size. He needs some refinement and consistency, but the potential is there.
