Round 1, Pick #6: Patrick Surtain II, CB – Alabama

In the event that both Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith are off the board before the Eagles pick, they should sprint to the podium with Patrick Surtain II. With Darius Slay turning 30 this month and no other promising young corners on the roster, drafting a stud defensive back here makes a ton of sense.

The 6-foot-2, 203-pound cornerback relies on his physicality at the line of scrimmage to bump receivers off their initial route and uses the 5 yards of contact to his advantage. Surtain has outstanding instincts and ball skills, being able to locate the football as well as fight through the catch point. In 2019 and 2020 combined, Surtain was as exceptional as ever:

• 1,026 coverage snaps
• 99 targets
• 14 pass breakups
• 3 INTs
• 66.9 passer rating allowed

Even more astounding was that Surtain didn’t commit a single penalty at all during the 2020 season. Given his physical, press man-to-man style of coverage, no defensive holdings or DPIs in 13 straight games may be the most impressive feat of Surtain’s illustrious college career.

The Alabama product will certainly be making opposing QBs pay for their mistakes for years to come if they even dare to throw in his direction at all. The one knock on Surtain’s game is that his tackling can be suspect at times, but that can be rectified with coaching.

Patrick Surtain II: Highest-graded CB since 2018 (93.0) pic.twitter.com/gmToSmGmMg

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 5, 2021

Round 2, Pick #37: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR – LSU

If the Eagles do miss out on Chase, they should be in prime position to take a different LSU receiver in the 2nd round. After another year of offensive struggles, the Eagles will surely look to add a potential playmaker for Carson Wentz and/or Jalen Hurts. The star prospect excelled in the seven games he played in before opting out the remainder of the 2020 season:

• 48 receptions
• 731 yards
• 10 TDs
• 15.2 yards/catch

At 6’3″, 200 pounds, Marshall Jr. has the ideal size teams are looking for in a #1 receiver. He has the necessary strength and football IQ to match up against physical corners and make contested catches. Marshall Jr. locates the ball well and is a tremendous route-runner for a player at his level. The former Tiger could use some work as a run blocker but if JJAW is on the roster next season, the Eagles will have all the blocking they need on offense.

Terrace Marshall Jr. WHAT. A. GRAB. 😮 @Terracemjr @LSUfootball

(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/OkFvHibBNE

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 26, 2020

Round 3, Pick #70: Richie Grant, S – UCF

With Rodney McLeod tearing his ACL in December and K’Von Wallace being the lone young safety on the roster, the Eagles are left pretty thin at the position. Grant is a ball-hawking safety that is always around the football, putting together an impressive 4-year career with the Knights:

• 290 tackles
• 10 INTs
• 17 passes defended
• 5 forced fumbles

Grant is incredibly versatile on defense, having played in the box at linebacker, single high, and as outside corner when needed. His closing speed allows him to get his hands on the ball and force pass breakups while baiting opposing QBs. Grant’s ball skills are desperately needed on an Eagles defense that ranked 23rd in takeaways this season.

Richie Grant laying the wood! 😤pic.twitter.com/rHHkIDiZKW

— Barstool UCF (@UCFStool) September 19, 2020

Mandatory Credit: Todd Kirkland | Getty Images