2021 NFL Team Mock Draft: Philadelphia Eagles

This offseason is one of great uncertainty for the Philadelphia Eagles. A year ago the Eagles looked to be in a pretty good position moving forward. They just made the playoffs and looked to retool some areas and make another run for it. Then it all fell apart. The team faced many injuries and a ton of regression in key areas. After finishing the two seasons prior with a 9-7 record, the Eagles find themselves picking 6th overall after a 4-11-1 season.

Just a year after handing him a massive extension, Carson Wentz has now been traded to the Indianapolis Colts. Once thought to be the face of the Eagles franchise, Wentz is an Eagle no more. Super Bowl winning coach Doug Pederson is gone as well, in his place former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Surriani. After making big moves in the offseason, effectively ending the era that brought them a super bowl, what will the Eagles do this draft? Here is my 7 round mock draft for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Round 1

6th Overall: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama

No more overthinking things. No more trying to be smarter than everyone else in the room. We will not be trading down or taking a quarterback here. Devonta Smith is the right pick to make. We took Jalen Hurts in the 2nd round last year, let’s get him some help. Devonta Smith is the wide receiver Hurts needs, and honestly, the wide receiver that every quarterback needs. He is a great route runner and gains separation with ease. He has great hands and is a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands. He will quickly be the go-to weapon. Philly finally has a star receiver for the first time in years.

Round 2

38th Overall: Nick Bolton, LB Missouri

It cannot be overlooked the problem the Eagles have at linebacker. Philadelphia found a diamond in the rough in Alex Singleton, but we need more. Nick Bolton will be an immediate addition to this defense, with the ability to start day one at middle linebacker. He has great instincts and is a terror playing downhill. He makes plays in the run game and can drop back into zone coverage. With the Jim Schwartz era in Philadelphia in the past, Bolton could be the backbone of the new defense.

Round 3

70th Overall: Josh Myers, C Ohio State

The Eagles have to find a replacement for Jason Kelce. Kelce has been the part that has kept the Birds offensive line chugging forward for years. Kelce is now 33 and doesn’t have much time left in the league. It’s not even a guarantee that he will be back next season, especially if this team is undergoing a rebuild. Josh Myers will do well as a replacement for the long-time center.

84th Overall: Kelvin Joseph, CB Kentucky

Kelvin Joseph is one of the best cornerbacks that you haven’t heard of. He’s a long corner that is a fluid athlete. He has good hips and can run with the best of them. The Eagles have a desperate need at cornerback, and it needs to be addressed before it’s too late. Darius Slay had his ups and downs last year and is now 30. Avonte Maddox hasn’t proven that he can be that other boundary corner and looks more suited for a slot role. Joseph has the length and athleticism to finally be a solution for the Eagles corner troubles.

Round 5

151st Overall: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB Oklahoma

The Eagles need to add another running back to their room, a power back more specifically. Rhamondre Stevenson fits in nicely. He has great size at 5’11 227 and runs with the power to boot. He has underrated finesse and patience to his game as well. Miles Sanders can still be the main guy, but Stevenson can be a great complement, especially on early downs and in goal-line situations.

155th Overall: John Bates, TE Boise State

Forgotten in the Carson Wentz saga is the undetermined future of Zach Ertz. It looks increasingly more likely that the Eagles will be parting ways with one of the most productive players in team history. Dallas Goedert will become the guy, but this all leaves a hole at the backup tight end position. John Bates is one of the most underrated tight ends in the draft class. He has good hands and is a good blocker. Paired with Goedert, I think Bates can handle the dirty work, and allow Goedert to really break out as a receiving threat this year.

Round 6

192nd Overall: Cornell Powell, WR Clemson

After taking Smith, I believe the wide receiver 3 position is still of a question in Philly. Obviously, you hope Jalen Reagor steps up and really delivers as the #2, but who’s next in line then? I think Cornell Powell could impress over the offseason, and eventually latch on to that role. He has good route running technique and a reliable set of hands. With other big-play guys on the roster, a reliable WR3 in the vein of Jason Avant would be a good pick in the 6th round.

220nd Overall: Derrick Barnes, LB Purdue

Why not double-dip at linebacker considering how bad the position was this past year? Barnes has some intriguing upside. He looks huge at 245 pounds and has shown some upside rushing the passer, logging 7.5 sacks in his junior season as an edge rusher. He moved to middle linebacker this past year, showing more versatility. He showed some solid coverage reps at the Senior Bowl and could be an intriguing piece on the Eagles defense.

Round 7

228th Overall: Jacoby Stevens, S LSU

Ladies and gentlemen… it’s that time of the mock draft… WE HAVE REACHED THE JACOBY STEVENS PICK! If you have not read any of my previous mocks yet (here are my individual mocks for the Jaguars and Dolphins) my 7th round pick will almost always be LSU safety Jacoby Stevens. I believe there’s good upside in him as a versatile piece. Until other teams get wise and start taking him earlier, I’ll keep taking advantage of the Jacoby Stevens pick.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen