The Philadelphia Eagles made some solid moves in free agency this offseason and have set themselves up nicely for the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Eagles made a blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, but they also signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, and safety Will Parks. Philadelphia also re-signed Jalen Mills but labeled the Mills as a “DB” instead of cornerback, which has given the Eagles secondary some options.
Fans have been very outspoken on the Eagles not signing a wide receiver during free agency, as their current receiver room is lacking elite talent in certain areas.
Quarterback Carson Wentz has shown he can win with anyone playing the position, but fans want General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles to secure some legitimate weapons for their 5th-year quarterback.
Future Hall of Fame wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be back and that will give the Eagles the much needed deep threat they missed after Jackson was injured for almost the entire 2019 season.
Luckily for the Eagles and their fans, they have the 2020 NFL Draft to add some receivers and other pieces to their Super Bowl puzzle. Here is an Eagles post-free agency 7-round mock draft.
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*Note: This is what we would consider doing, not what we think the Eagles will do.*
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Round 1, Pick 21: Eagles acquire Yannick Ngakoue, DE, via the Jacksonville Jaguars
*Trade*
Eagles receive Yannick Ngakoue
Jaguars receive Pick 21 and Eagles 2021 4th round pick
That is right Eagles fans! Who needs receivers when you can get a young and proven pass rusher in the NFL? For me, it is simple: You have Carson Wentz at quarterback. He has shown you that he can win games with limited talent, so this allows you to add an elite player like Yannick Ngakoue to your roster. Ngakoue would be the Eagles’ best pass rusher right away and would give them instant production and disruption from the edge.
The idea of taking a receiver in the first round is tempting, but this class is so deep that the Eagles will be able to add a starter or two in the later rounds. When you have the chance to get a proven player with a draft pick, you should make the move.
Round 2, Pick 44 (via Indianapolis): K.J. Hamler, WR, PSU
*Trade*
Eagles receive Pick 44
Colts receive Pick 53, Pick 145, and WR Alshon Jeffery
K.J. Hamler to the Eagles is a pick that’s gaining steam around NFL Circles.
Hamler is exactly what the Eagles offense is missing and he will plug in Day 1 and be an instant impact player.
Hamler has elite, game-breaking speed, matched with elite quickness and athleticism. He will get knocked for his size and his high number of drops in college, but his route running and game-changing ability overrule any flaws in his game.
Even though Hamler will not be a 100-catch, 1,000-yard guy; he will be a weapon that Wentz can trust and that can help win football games. The Eagles do not need a legitimate No. 1 receiver, mainly because tight end Zach Ertz is the No. 1 guy. They need to add more formidable weapons and Hamler will become an instant fan favorite with his competitive nature and big play-ability.
There is still some uncertainty about what the Eagles will do with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, but my best bet would be they try and trade him during the draft to a team that is familiar with him. The Indianapolis Colts make a ton of sense and Jeffery would be a solid target for Philip Rivers.
Round 3, Pick 103 (Compensatory pick): Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
After securing the big-play receiver the Eagles offense needs, Roseman gives Wentz another weapon, former Florida Gators wide receiver Van Jefferson. The former Gator may not have elite production in college, but Jefferson is one of the best route runners in the NFL Draft. He isn’t the greatest athlete in the world, but Jefferson creates separation with his route running, which will translate well to the NFL.
Again, the Eagles have not added a No. 1 receiver, but Jefferson will be another great addition to the offense. Jefferson can play inside and outside and Wentz will be able to trust him to get open and catch the ball on every single play. I think Jefferson will be a better NFL player than he was a college football player.
Round 4, Pick 127: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
After trading for Slay in free agency, the Eagles cornerback situation is a lot better off than it was. Add in that Mills will no longer be starting on the outside and you can see the Eagles are heading in the right direction. I think Sidney Jones will end up winning the job for the No. 2 cornerback spot, but the Eagles should still add some more depth to the position in the 4th round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Former Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr. is an intriguing option this late in the draft. Some may feel he will go earlier, but Pride Jr. is not ready to play Year 1 in the NFL. He has the potential to become a starter, but he will need to be coached up and developed into a legitimate No. 2 cornerback. Luckily for the Eagles, their new defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel is one of the best defensive backs coaches in the NFL. Allowing Pride Jr. to learn from Manuel would be huge and it would give the Eagles a developmental cornerback with a lot of upsides.
Round 4, Pick 146 (Compensatory pick): Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
The Eagles selected former LSU tight end, Thaddeus Moss, in the third round of our last mock draft, but he falls to the fourth round in this one. A lot of fans disagreed with the idea f the Eagles selecting a tight end when they have arguably the best tight end tandem in the NFL.
With Zach Ertz’s future firmly depending on Howie Roseman giving him a contract extension, the Eagles could be in the market for a potential replacement.
Moss would plug in perfect as the No. 3 tight end in the Eagles’ offense, while giving them the best 13 personnel in the NFL.
Moss can catch the ball and he can block well too. He is the perfect No. 3 tight end for this Eagles roster.
Round 5, Pick 168 (via New England): Tanner Muse, LB, Clemson
Former Clemson safety Tanner Muse will play linebacker in the NFL and fits perfectly with what the Eagles look for in their linebackers. Muse is an athletic specimen and even though he has the occasional missed tackle, he flies around the field.
With the Eagles possibly lacking a firm starter at linebacker, Muse could be a name the Eagles add to the mix.
Round 6, Pick 190 (via Atlanta): Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
The Eagles double-dip on Roseman’s alma mater here, taking former Florida Gators running back Lamical Perine. The former Gator is going to fit nicely in any running back room where he is in a running back by committee approach. Philadelphia will definitely give second-year rising star Miles Sanders the bulk of the touches, but Perine would be a great compliment to Sanders. He would fit nicely as the No. 2 running back with Boston Scott helping on 3rd down as the No. 3 running back.
Perine averaged five yards per carry in college, but his production was not great. However, in 2019, Perine showed he can catch the ball out of the backfield, catching 40 passes for 262 yards and five scores. He may not be as good as former Eagles running back Jordan Howard, but he could give them a Howard-like option when Sanders isn’t on the field.
