With the NFL draft at the doorstep, Iggles.com has got you covered with another mock draft. In case you missed our first one, here it is.
There was one goal for this mock draft, which was to try and avoid players that were taken in the previous one. That way, we have fresh new faces to discuss. With that said, let’s get into it!
Round 1, Pick #12: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
In my last mock draft, I went for South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn. This time around, I went for the man most people feel is the top CB in the draft: Patrick Surtain II.
Surtain (6’2″, 208 pounds) has the makings of a fantastic defensive cornerstone. He has great size, is excellent at jump balls, and has a extremely strong football background. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gives an informative scouting report on him:
Surtain possesses elite physical and athletic traits with the rare combination of length and short-area quickness that allows him to play on a press-man island and phase routes on all three levels. He plays to his length with plus technique and cover skills that make winning downfield a very challenging proposition.”
Many of the Eagles’ recent first-round picks haven’t had huge breakout first seasons- I have a good feeling Surtain II would break that trend.
Round 2, Pick #37: WR Elijah Moore, Mississippi
I was hoping to nab LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr., but he was long gone by the time #37 rolled around. I pivoted towards the next best option, which is Mississippi’s Elijah Moore.
Moore dominated in 2020, putting up 1193 yards and eight touchdowns for Ole Miss. The 5’9″, 185 pound Moore is an excellent target, and there is a lot to like about him (via NFL.com):
“Moore has the short-area quickness to snap off crisp routes underneath for separation and the play speed to challenge over the top as well as work the deep middle. He has soft, sure hands and above-average ball skills with a great feel for spatial awareness to hit the sweet spots when working against zone.”
Round 3, Pick #70: WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina
Brown is a deep-ball guy, something the Eagles love. I know they already have an abundance of them, but Brown possesses a higher ceiling than either John Hightower or Quez Watkins.
Brown has good reach and can get up and grab jump balls, although one major concern are his hands and drops, something the Eagles haven’t shown they can correct in receivers. Regardless of what he needs to improve in, Brown would still represent an upgrade over a solid portion of the receiving corp.
Round 3, Pick #84: LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
Double-dipping at UNC! Although a bit undersized, Surratt brings with him great coverage and range (via PFN). He also has solid instincts, although PFN explains that his size and speed will hurt him a bit. Still, the linebacker unit could use more depth, even with the signing of Eric Wilson and the emergence of Alex Singleton.
Round 4, Pick #123: S Jamar Johnson, Indiana
There’s still some uncertainty at safety beyond 2021. Anthony Harris is on a one-year deal, and K’von Wallace wasn’t the “surprise breakout rookie” some thought he might be. That’s why I opted for Jamar Johnson here.
Johnson has fluid play, touts solid hands, and brings with him good range according to Pro Football Network. Johnson, who stands at 6’2″ and 205 pounds, is also an extremely versatile player- he has additional experience at cornerback.
Round 5, Pick #150: CB Tay Gowan, UCF
Tay Gowan is an interesting prospect. One alarming note is that he’s only had one full college season, which was back in 2019. Certainly not a lot of tape available. Gowan has the “instincts and length” needed to battle it out with his opponents, but there’s still a lot of work needed to be done here.
Round 6, Pick #189: TE John Bates, Boise State
With the news that Zach Ertz could be on the move come draft day, the Eagles will need a new #2 or #3 TE. While even PFN admits that Bates isn’t a “well-known name” in the draft, he showed some potential throughout his college tenure, both in the pass game and block game. Taking a lottery ticket here wouldn’t hurt the Birds.
Round 6, Pick #224: RB Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas
It’s been well noted that this draft class isn’t great when it comes to running backs, so I wasn’t going to go out of my way to nab a back early. Instead, I waited until the back-end of the draft and took Pooka Williams Jr.
While not the biggest RB, Williams Jr. some nice speed and can produce big plays. At the very least, he could present some competition to Jordan Howard for the #3 spot on the depth chart behind Miles Sanders and Boston Scott.
Round 6, Pick #225: T Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan
The 6’4″, 311 pound Moore has good qualities- according to PFN, he blocks consistently, has his feet in constant motion, and is solid when it comes to pass protection. He’d be an interesting project for Jeff Stoutland to work on.
Round 7, Pick #234: QB Shane Buechele, SMU
The “QB Factory” demands a developmental guy, and the demand shall be fulfilled. Buechele put up decent numbers over his college career (87 TDs, 142.9 QBR). NFL.com states some strengths of Buechele, which include his leadership, decision-making, and keeping plays alive.
Round 7, Pick #240: DT Austin Faoliu, Oregon
The Eagles generally like to nab defensive lineman in the later rounds of the draft, so this pick felt right in line with their typical draft strategies. Faoliu didn’t have the most statistically productive career at Oregon (five total sacks) but there are positives: he has great length, is good with his hands, and makes plays in space (via PFN).
