Eagles Fill Major Needs in New 'A-' Graded Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft now just a week away, the Philadelphia Eagles have made no bones about it this offseason: their goal is to get right back into Super Bowl contention after last year’s disappointing season.

If previous reports are true and general manager Howie Roseman’s goal is to add as many immediate contributors as possible through the draft, then a recent mock draft from Pro Football Focus could be just that. Trevor Sikkema released a seven-round mock draft for the Eagles, in which he earned an A- grade using PFF’s simulator. So, how did he do it?

Despite the Eagles’ three-year streak of trading up in the first round, Sikkema has Philadelphia staying put at No. 22 overall and solving their need at cornerback with the selection of Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) celebrates after a missed field goal by LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

“He started as a true freshman in a Nick Saban defense. At 6-foot-1, he has good size and length to match up on the outside against bigger receivers,” PFF writes. “He is very comfortable and experienced in press-man coverage and also has a good feel for spacing in zone. He has an uncanny knack for making plays on the ball despite being in trail technique and not having his eyes toward the pocket.”

With both Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the wrong side of 30 and considering the latter’s disappointing season a year ago, Philadelphia should take a cornerback in the first round.

Despite having a Jones fracture in his right foot that held him out of the NFL Scouting Combine, the former member of the Crimson Tide reportedly still managed to run as low as a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day before undergoing surgery to repair the injury.

Then, fast-forward to the second round. Sikkemma has the Eagles using each of their Day 2 picks at Nos. 50 and 53 overall to select Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.

While it is possible that the Eagles add to their offensive line with one of their two second-round selections, taking a receiver and linebacker makes sense. The 6-foot-1 receiver out of Washington ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the Combine after a season at Washingon, where, despite being considered the No. 2 option behind Rome Odunze, he totaled 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns on 69 receptions.

As for the selection of Wilson, which earned a grade of an “A+,” inside linebacker was a big issue for the Eagles last season as they dealt with the departures of Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards from the offseason along with the injury to Nakobe Dean.

“Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker,” PFF writes. “What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense.”

While the Eagles have already expanded their linebacker room this offseason with the free-agent signing of Devin White, who is projected to partner with Dean, taking a chance on Wilson in the third round may be too hard to pass up.

The rest of the Eagles Draft

• Round 4: No. 120 Trevor Keegan, OG, Michigan 
• Round 5: No. 161: Tahj Washington, WR, USC 
• Round 5: No. 171: Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee 
• Round 5: No. 172: Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan
• Round 6: 210: Miyan Williams, RB, Ohio State