The conjecture and machinations about how, or if, the Eagles will use their three first-round draft picks began long before attention turned to the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place this week in Indianapolis.
Will they use all three picks, slotted at No. 15, 16 and 19 in the first round? If they do, will they use them all on defensive players? Will they trade two of them to possibly move into the top 10? Or trade two of them (and maybe a player and another pick in 2023) for a star quarterback such as Seattle’s Russell Wilson? Or will they trade one of their three first-rounders for an extra first-round pick next year?
The answer to these questions could hinge on what transpires at the combine, when prospective draftees will test, interview and begin the process for the April 28-30 draft.
Here are 10 players who could influence what the Eagles do with their first-round picks:
1. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
2. Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
By now, we all know the refrain: The Eagles have not drafted a true linebacker in the first round since 1979.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, for one, is convinced that drought will extend to 43 years.
“I will say this year I have changed now to my absolute statement being that the Philadelphia Eagles will never draft a linebacker in the first round,” he said. “Every year we talk about, ‘Do we mock-draft this guy here or there,’ and they’re not doing it. They never do it. It’s up to Howie [Roseman] to prove us wrong.”
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That could really change this year, though, and Dean or Lloyd could be why.
The only problem is the Eagles might have to move up to get one of them. But if they can trade into the top 10 or 12, it might be worthwhile.
Sure, the Eagles have long devalued the position, but Dean and Lloyd are hardly traditional linebackers who would come off the field on passing downs. They’re physical enough to stop the run, and fast enough to cover receivers, tight ends and running backs in passing situations.
Everybody wants the next Micah Parsons. And Dean or Lloyd could fit that bill. This is what defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon requires in his amoeba-like defense.
Draft result: Trade to move up to 10-12 if one of them is available.
3. Drake London, WR, USC
The Eagles couldn’t possibly use a first-round pick on a wide receiver for a third straight year, right?
Well, don’t be so sure, especially if London is available.
After drafting the 165-pound DeVonta Smith last year, the Eagles could really use a receiver who’s big, fast and has a large catch radius. London, who’s 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and is expected to run in the 4.4s in the 40-yard dash, could fit the bill.
The Eagles, however, will have to decide if London’s upside as a first-round pick would be better than spending tens of millions of dollars in free agency on someone like the Chargers’ Mike Williams (6-foot-4, 218 pounds).
Williams has proven himself as an elite receiver with 76 catches for 1,146 yards last season. In addition, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was the Chargers’ wide receivers coach for Williams’ rookie year in 2017.
How the Eagles feel about London could impact that decision.
Draft result: Trade the No. 19 pick to move back 6-7 spots and get an extra early-round pick in 2023. Then take London, or if he’s gone, look at Alabama WR Jameson Williams, Smith’s former teammate who’s coming off a torn ACL, or Penn State’s Jahan Dotson or Ohio State’s Chris Olave for their pure speed.
4. David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
5. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
6. Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
It’s the Eagles’ good fortune in that this draft is loaded with talented edge rushers. That’s because the Eagles need one.
Derek Barnett will likely leave in free agency after just 2.5 sacks last season. Ryan Kerrigan was a bust in his one season. And Brandon Graham, who will turn 34 in April, is coming off a torn Achilles.
That leaves Josh Sweat, who tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks, as the top returnee.
Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson will be long gone by the time the Eagles pick, and Georgia’s Travon Walker probably will be, too.
But there’s a good chance the Eagles could have their pick among Ojabo (11 sacks), Karlaftis (4.5 sacks), or Johnson (14 sacks) when their turn comes up.
Don’t be surprised if two of them are available, and don’t be surprised if the Eagles take more than one.
Draft result: Don’t trade, take whoever is available. If two are available, take both.
7. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
8. Darryl Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Eagles did not draft a cornerback in the early rounds last year, but this, too, is a position of need, even if the Eagles re-sign free agent Steve Nelson.
Nelson is 29 and Darius Slay is 31. The Eagles do have young depth in 2021 fourth-rounder Zech McPhearson, and trade acquisitions in Tay Gowan and Kary Vincent, both late-round picks in 2021 by their former teams.
But it’s unlikely that any of them are ready to start opposite of Slay next season. Besides, at some point, the Eagles will need to draft Slay’s successor. If McDuffie or Stingley are available, then the Eagles should take one of them and let Nelson leave.
Draft result: Trade up only if one of them is available within 2 or 3 spots of No. 15. If both are gone by then, then wait until the second round.
9. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
10. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
By all accounts, this is a down year for quarterbacks. But it’s possible that the Eagles could use one of their first-round picks on a QB, then let him develop for a year or two behind Jalen Hurts.
The Packers did this by using their first-round pick in 2020 on Jordan Love as the eventual replacement for Aaron Rodgers.
There’s a good chance at least two of the QBs will be available when the Eagles pick. And if it’s Pickett, whom Jeremiah said is the most ready to play among the group, would the Eagles draft him? Jeremiah also said Pickett doesn’t have the best arm.
Or what about Willis, who has a powerful arm and is a good runner like Hurts? But Willis would need a year or more to develop.
Here’s the problem, though: If the Eagles are drafting a QB who may or may not be a sure thing in lieu of addressing another position, are they really helping themselves?
Draft results: Do not take a quarterback in the first round this year.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
