The Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2020 NFL Draft with some major holes on their roster, mainly at wide receiver and linebacker. After not signing one free agent pass-catcher, Eagles fans would love to see their favorite team select a receiver with the 21st overall pick.
Luckily for Eagles’ fans, the 2020 NFL Draft is almost here, with the first round set to start on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 7:00 PM EST. This NFL Draft will be very unique because of COVID-19, so teams will be drafting from home, reminiscent of your fantasy football draft with your friends.
In our post-combine 7-round mock draft, the Eagles took former LSU wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, with the 21st overall pick, but in our post-free agency 7-round mock draft, the Eagles traded the No. 21 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
This is our final 7-round mock draft before the 2020 NFL Draft.
*Note: This is what we would consider doing, not what we think the Eagles will do. Also, all draft pick values are referenced from the 2020 NFL Trade Value Chart (via DraftTek.com).*
Round 1, Pick 30 (From Green Bay): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
*Trade*
Eagles receive: Pick 30 (620), Pick 94 (124), and Pick 136 (38) (782 total)
Packers receive: Pick 21 (800)
The expectation is that the Eagles will select a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. If Justin Jefferson is still available at that spot, the Eagles should stay put and take the stud receiver from LSU. However, as we get closer to draft day, it seems more and more likely Jefferson will be gone, along with the other top 3 wide receivers. For that reason, the Eagles should trade down and collect some extra draft picks in a loaded draft class.
The Green Bay Packers know that their window with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is closing, so the Eagles should target them as a team they can trade back with. In this trade back, the Eagles get the Packers 1st round pick, as well as an extra 3rd and 4th rounder.
With the 30th overall pick in the first round, the Eagles take former Oklahoma linebacker, Kenneth Murray. A lot of analysts and pundits do not believe the Eagles will take a linebacker in the first round, which is fair thinking. Philly has not valued linebackers for a very long time. It has been 41 years since they have taken a linebacker the first round, but it is time for the thinking to change.
Murray would be an instant starter for the Eagles and give them the stud linebacker they have needed. Murray is so aggressive on the field and he just flies around and makes plays. He would become an instant fan favorite in Philly and give the Eagles a building block on defense.
It is also worth noting former Eagles scout and lead NFL Draft analyst for NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah had the Eagles taking Murray in his latest mock. So, yes, this may not make you happy, but the Eagles should add Murray to their defense.
Round 2 Pick, 48 (From New York Jets): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
*Trade*
Eagles receive: Pick 48 (420)
Jets receive: Pick 53 (370), Pick 145 (33.5) (403.5 total), and 2021 6th round pick
The Eagles clearly need a No. 1 wide receiver, but after missing out on the top 4 guys, Eagles fans may be in panic mode. However, luckily for the Eagles, former Clemson star receiver Tee Higgins has become the forgotten man in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Higgins has somehow fallen very far in many people’s eyes, but don’t forget that Higgins is a star, who has all the qualities of a true No. 1 wide receiver.
If Higgins does fall to the 2nd round, which could happen, Howie Roseman needs to get aggressive to go get him. A lot of people will knock Higgins for his 40-yard dash times, but his film speaks volumes. Higgins runs by people and not only is he a great route runner, but he is also a guy that can make explosive plays down the field.
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz would love to have Higgins as his No. 1 guy.
Round 3, Pick 94 (From Green Bay): Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Some Eagles fans may still be in panic mode about wide receiver because they are not sold on Higgins, but do not worry; The Eagles then draft former Florida Gator’s receiver Van Jefferson to pair with Higgins. The former Florida Gator did not have elite production in college, but I think he will be better in the NFL.
Jefferson is an elite route runner with sure hands, something Wentz and the Eagles offense has needed for a while now. With Higgins plugging in as the No. 1, Jefferson can plug in nicely as the No. 3 guy, with upside to be a No. 2 on the depth chart.
Philly will get future Hall of Fame wide receiver DeSean Jackson back this season, so the Eagles would have Higgins, Jackson, and Jefferson as their top three wide receivers in 2020.
Round 3, Pick 103 (Compensatory pick): Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
After trading for former Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay, the Eagles finally have the shutdown cornerback they have needed. However, the big question is who will be the No. 2 cornerback in 2020. My guess would be Sidney Jones, but the Eagles should add another name to the mix, and that is why they draft former Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson here.
Robertson can play inside and outside, but many project him as a starter in the slot because of his size. If you watch Robertson on film, he plays a lot bigger than he is. He is one of the most aggressive players in the 2020 NFL Draft and he creates turnovers because of that. The Eagles have so many question marks in their cornerback room, so adding a player with a ton of upside would be ideal.
Round 4, Pick 127: Nick Harris, C, Washington
Jason Kelce trolled Eagles fans when he announced his retirement, from arm wrestling. It was a good joke, but the reality is that Kelce’s last game as an Eagle is definitely near. Will 2020 be Kelce’s last season? Who knows, but the Eagles need to find someone to replace him when he finally does decide to retire.
Former Washington center Nick Harris would be a great addition in the 4th round. Harris is undersized for the position, but he plays with tenacity and almost always gets the job done. Does that sound familiar? Harris would be the perfect player to replace Kelce when he retires.
Round 4, Pick 136 (From Green Bay): Devin Duvernay WR, Texas
After getting Higgins and Jefferson in the first three rounds, some Eagles fans will be disappointed at not getting a speed receiver. Well, do not worry, they add a very underrated player, former Texas receiver Devin Duvernay.
Duvernay isn’t the best route runner, but he makes up for that with his ability after the catch. When he touches the ball, he is trying to score and even though he is on the smaller side, he is not afraid of contact. At the very least, Duvernay will be a deep threat in the NFL with his blazing speed. I think his hands are fantastic as well, so with some good coaching, he could be a steal in the 4th round.
Round 4, Pick 146 (Compensatory pick): Kenny Robinson Jr., S, St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL)
After releasing Malcolm Jenkins this offseason, the Eagles have re-signed Jalen Mills (listed as a DB) and Rodney McLeod as well as signed former Denver Broncos safety Will Parks. It will be interesting to see if getting rid of Jenkins will haunt the Eagles, but they can add another player that will help soften the blow. That player is former XFL (St. Louis BattleHawks) safety, Kenny Robinson Jr.
Robinson had an unusual path to the NFL. He left college for the XFL and now will enter the draft after playing five games in the XFL. He started college at West Virginia, where he played 2 seasons and had 7 career interceptions. He had 2 interceptions in the XFL and has shown he can be a ballhawk at safety.
Robinson has a ton of risk, but the reward is just too high for the Eagles to pass up on him late in the 4th round. He has the potential to be one of the better deep safeties in the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 168 (From New England): Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State
Former Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes was featured on our “NFL Draft: An edge-rusher for the Eagles in each round” article. He was listed as a target in the 5th round for the Eagles and that is exactly what they do here.
Willekes worked his way from a walk on to a star on the Spartans defense. He should be available in the later rounds and he would be a great rotational pass rusher with the upside to become a full-time starter.
Round 6, Pick 190 (From Atlanta): Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
After losing Jordan Howard in free agency, the Eagles need to try and add a running back to fill his role. Running back Miles Sanders will obviously carry the load even more than he did in his impressive rookie season, but adding former Florida Gators running back Laminal Perine to help lessen the load would be smart.
Perine showed some versatility in his final year at Florida, but he seems poised to be a great running back in a running back by committee approach. He will be able to give you 5-10 carries a game, pick up short yardage, and spell Sanders when he would need it.
