Eagles-Only Mock Draft 4.0
Unbelievably, the draft is just about 2 weeks away — meaning it’s time for another Eagles-only mock! Today, I decided to focus on players who might not start immediately, but would likely be role players their rookie years and could probably grow into impact starters.
I decided to include trades for the first time in this mock in order to highlight some more prospects I think the Eagles could be interested in.
For reference, I am using PFF’s mock draft simulator.
The Philadelphia Eagles trade #10 and #219 to the Minnesota Vikings for #23, #87, #211, and a 2024 1st Round Pick
#23 — Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle, Clemson (6'5", 298 lbs)
Bresee was the number one recruit in the 2020 class (one spot ahead of Bryce Young, the betting favorite to be the #1 overall pick), and despite his size, skill, and athletic profile, he has not exactly lived up to that billing. While having a dominant freshman year, Bresee has since dealt with injuries during his career as well as personal tragedy, as his sister sadly passed away due to brain cancer during his junior year.
However, I think Bresee would be a really good fit with the Eagles. Coaches and players at Clemson have gushed about his character, work ethic, and drive, and the Eagles have made a point of acquiring high-character players in the draft. He needs refinement in his technique, but overall he is a very talented player who can play in multiple alignments (he’s played mostly 3-tech, but has experience at 5-tech and even at nose for Clemson). Given their depth at DT, he also wouldn’t need to be an impact player immediately, as he’d be anywhere from 1st to 4th on the depth chart depending on how the Eagles viewed him. He and Jordan Davis would represent the future of the team on the interior defensive line.
#30 — Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State (6'1", 166 lbs)
Emmanuel Forbes is one of the most skilled playmakers at corner to come out of college in a long time — he literally holds the NCAA record for career pick-sixes. He has great ball skills, understands coverage, and knows how to play the position at a very high level.
Why, then, is he available at #30? It’s because of his size — Forbes is about the size DeVonta Smith was when he came out of college. Size matters more for a cornerback though, and Forbes could be boxed out by bigger wideouts and could struggle with tackling. The Eagles, of course, took Smith despite the size concerns — and I think they will be interested in Forbes, especially as Nick Sirianni seems to highly prioritize turnovers in the secondary. He may be overaggressive at times, but again — he won’t need to start immediately, and the team can work with him to bulk up if that’s what’s best as well.
#62 — Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge Rusher, USC (6'3", 266 lbs)
Despite having three Pro Bowl-caliber players on the edge, the Eagles value pass rusher highly, and reinforcing the lines is never a bad idea. Tuipulotu would give them a solid player out of the box with both power and a high motor, as well as no need to start right away due to the team’s significant depth at the position.
Tuipulotu also has a significant NFL pedigree. He is cousins with Fili Moala — a second-round pick in 2009 who played seven seasons in the NFL — and Talanoa Hufanga, a fifth-round pick in 2021 who was an All-Pro safety with the 49ers last year. He also has an Eagles connection — his older brother, Marlon, is a defensive tackle for the Eagles, and was drafted by them in the sixth round in 2021. Tuli, Marlon, and Hufanga all played together for USC in 2020.
#87 — Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU (6'8", 302 lbs)
Freeland is a monster of a human being, but somewhat lean for his height. He’s also very athletic, with excellent and nimble feet. He’s an explosive blocker, and also didn’t draw very many penalties in college. At his height, with his athleticism and natural abilities, he seems like the kind of lineman that Jeff Stoutland would love to mold into a more refined NFL player.
He’s definitely raw, and would not be able to be an immediate starter — but Freeland wouldn’t need to play at all his rookie year, and could work behind the scenes on his leverage and technique to grow into a backup swing tackle or even a potential long-term replacement for Lane Johnson.
The Philadelphia Eagles trade #94 to the Indianapolis Colts for #106, #138, and #176
#106 — Roschon Johnson, Running Back, Texas (6'0", 219 lbs)
If the Eagles are drafting a Texas running back, I think it is far more likely that they draft Johnson than Bijan Robinson. Johnson — who enrolled at Texas as a quarterback but converted to running back in his freshman year — had the misfortune of being the backup to an incredibly talented playmaker, but he has been highly productive in a reserve role (career 5.6 YPC) and has relatively few touches — just over 400 in 4 years. To compare, Robinson has almost double that — over 600 in 3 years.
He is a solid all-around back who is also a decent pass catcher and (most importantly for the Eagles) pass blocker, and could also add value to their special teams unit.
#138 — Juice Scruggs, Center, Penn State (6'3", 301 lbs)
Scruggs — who grew up in Erie, PA — is a slim, powerful interior lineman who can play both center and right guard, two positions where the Eagles could use some depth behind Jason Kelce and Cam Jurgens. He was a team captain in 2022, and could be a really solid high-character backup capable of starting or playing reps in a pinch.
#176 — Anthony Johnson Jr., Safety, Iowa State (6'0", 205 lbs)
Johnson has an incredibly unique background. After being recruited to Iowa State as a cornerback, Johnson played there for 4 years before transitioning to a safety/nickelback hybrid role prior to the 2022 season. He has a ton of experience playing — he actually broke Colt McCoy’s record for most starts in Big 12 history (he’s started 54 games).
His ceiling is not the highest, but at a position the Eagles desperately need depth, Johnson could serve them well in a third safety role, as well as filling in as a backup there, at nickelback, and even at corner in a pinch.
#211 — Jake Bobo, Wide Receiver, UCLA (6'4", 206 lbs)
Bobo — who, at 6'4", would instantly be the tallest receiver on the Eagles — started his college career at Duke in 2018, where he actually caught his first career touchdown pass from current Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. He transferred to UCLA in 2022, where he played under Chip Kelly.
With his hands and frame, Bobo could be a solid versatile player for the Eagles as a possession receiver, though his lack of high end speed and his age (25 by the start of next season) will likely limit both his ceiling and his draft position. He could fill the role left by the departure of Zach Pascal.
#248 — Blake Whiteheart, Tight End, Wake Forest
Despite playing five years in college, Whiteheart has only one year of starting experience under his belt, and doesn’t have very much college production. However, he is a solid, strong tight end with better-than-expected route running skills, and is a decent blocker and special teams player as well. At a position where the Eagles don’t have much depth, Whiteheart feels like a solid lottery ticket on a guy who could give them some 12/13 personnel reps and play on special teams.
