The Eagles are entering the 2023 NFL Draft with just six picks. Last year, the team entered the draft with 12 picks and ended selecting five players. Howie has always dealt on draft weekend, so he’ll most likely do the same this year. But predicting trades is difficult, so for the sake of this mock, there are no trades. This mock draft was conducted on Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator. So with that, lets take a look at my Eagles seven-round mock draft.
Round One
Pick 10: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
There were a lot of enticing players on the board for this pick, but realistically, I believe the front office and coaching staff will fall in love with Smith’s athletic ability. And at this high, you draft based on that rather than production.
Smith has drawn comparisons to Haason Reddick, and if the Eagles feel the same way, the two could terrorize quarterbacks from both ends. Not to mention Brandon Graham is most likely retiring following this season, so the team could look to draft his replacement.
Pick 30: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
When I saw Kancey on the board, I hit “draft” very quickly (even though Bijan Robinson was there). Let me explain. Trenches, trenches, trenches. Howie Roseman loves to build through the trenches, everybody knows that. And when I do these, I like to be as realistic as possible. Yes, if Robinson is there, they should take him. But taking Kancey, who is an exceptional pass-rush DT, when they just lost Javon Hargrave makes too much sense. Both will most likely be taken before the Eagles’ second first-round pick, but if both are on the board at that time, I’d expect Roseman to go the Kancey route.
Round Two
Pick 62: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Now a running back comes off the board for the Eagles. At this value, this is a slam-dunk pick. Spears was an ultra-productive back with Tulane, totaling 1,581 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in his final season. He’s quick, fluid, and explosive. Spears could compete for the starting job right from the jump.
Round Three
Pick 94: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
At this point the Eagles are probably thinking, “what do we need most?” I’ll give you that answer, a slot receiver. Dell is an explosive, quick route runner who could prove to be a massive upgrade over Quez Watkins. Though small, he’s nothing short of productive.
Round Seven
Pick 219: Joey Fisher, OT, Shepherd
Yes, you read that right. The Eagles don’t pick again until the seventh round. But here, they take a developmental tackle solely on size and strength. Fisher stood out at Shepherd. And then he stood out at Shepherd’s pro day, benching 225 pounds for 40 reps. The 6-foot-5, 320 pound tackle is powerful. For the Eagles, who don’t need to worry about a Lane Johnson replacement right now, they attempt to find that guy in Fisher as a late-round steal. There is no one more equipped to develop a tackle than Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Pick 248: Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
Here, the Eagles opt to select the brother of Nate Herbig, Nick, with their last pick. He is a coverage linebacker who has been rising through the draft process. And for the Eagles, who just lost Kyzir White, they could use someone like Herbig.
In the end, it is highly unlikely that this is how the draft will pan out, so take this with a grain of salt. Not because I think the picks are bad, but because the Eagles will most likely make some trades. Nonetheless, as the Eagles continue to bring in guys for visits, more names will continue to be linked.
Read the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up.
