On the heels of an ass-whooping to San Francisco, the Eagles marched into Dallas on…
Eagles Mock Draft: Mel Kiper’s latest mock sees Howie Roseman adding to the trenches in round one
As we all know by now, the Philadelphia Eagles build their team through the trenches. Especially when it comes to the NFL Draft.
Since 2010, the Eagles have used eight of their 12 first-round selections on an offensive or defensive lineman. More often than not, it’s worked out for them, drafting guys like Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, and Lane Johnson during that time.
Mel Kiper Jr., the OG of mock drafts, just dropped his third mock of the offseason. With the new order at the top of the draft following Chicago’s blockbuster trade with Carolina, Kiper envisions four quarterback going within the first five picks come draft night. That’s the best case scenario for the Eagles. Let all the QB-needy teams duke it out at the top of the draft while the other talented prospects slide down towards the Eagles’ range.
At tenth overall, Kiper thinks Howie and Co. will stick to their guns and once again take an offensive lineman, Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski. With Isaac Seumalo leaving for Pittsburgh during free agency and depth piece Andre Dillard heading south to Tennessee, we should all expect the Eagles to address their offensive line with one of their two first-round picks this year.
Skoronski played tackle during his collegiate career, but most scouts project him as a guard at the next level due to his measurables. The Northwestern product is one of the most polished offensive lineman in this entire draft class. Extraordinary footwork, a great understanding of hand placement and its importance, not to mention his versatility. He fits perfectly into the Eagles ideal archetype for a lineman – mean, smart, and versatile.
Per Pro Football Focus, Skoronski had his best year to date in 2023, posting the best pass blocking grade in the country with a 93.0 mark while allowing a pressure rate of just 1.3 percent – good for second-best in the country.
I imagine Jeff Stoutland is somewhere drooling over this guy’s film right now. If he has any say in the war room, there’s no doubt Skoronski will be a Philadelphia Eagle.
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At their second pick in the first, 30th overall, Kiper thinks the Birds will add to the trenches again. This time, on the defensive side of the ball with Pitt DT Calijah Kancey.
Kancey’s draft stock has picked up a lot of steam as of late, mostly due to his ridiculous 4.67 40-yard dash time at this year’s scouting combine. While the comparisons to Aaron Donald are probably a stretch, it’s hard to deny the potential that Kancey possesses.
He is a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, but he more than makes up for it as a pass rusher – something the Eagles will need following the loss of Javon Hargrave this offseason. Kancey generated 47 pressures in 2022 while registering 30 hurries, nine quarterback hits, and eight sacks. His 92.4 PFF pass rushing grade led all interior defenders.
He and last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Davis, could form a great duo along the interior of the Eagles defensive line. With Davis eating up all the blocks, Kancey would be afforded more one-on-one opportunities to showcase his pass rushing prowess.
That swim move would look even better in an Eagles uniform
Although there’s been some chatter about the Eagles going with Bijan Robinson or another sexy pick in this year’s NFL Draft, we all know that taking two lineman is the most likely outcome. It’s not the most exciting way to build a team, but as the Eagles have proven time and time again, it’s almost always the correct way.
Mandatory Credit: Northwestern Athletics
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