How do you improve after beating the back-to-back Super Bowl champions in convincing 40-22 fashion — when the game was even more lopsided than the final score suggests? For the Philadelphia Eagles, it means continuing to dominate the NFL Draft. And, fresh off a Super Bowl win, they’re not slowing down.
The roster has already undergone some changes in free agency, but the core of the championship squad remains intact. Brentley Weissman’s latest mock draft from PFSN shows how the front office could once again crush draft weekend in Lambeau Field.
32) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
With DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown already in the fold, this may feel like a luxury pick, but I like adding another wide receiver to their offense. Brown is often injured, and the team hasn’t gotten a ton of production from their pass catches outside of their top two targets.
Emeka Egbuka is the perfect complement to this rockstar wide receiver duo. He can man the slot and do the dirty work in the short and intermediate areas of the field while Brown and Smith dominate on the outside. Egbuka’s toughness and physicality will be an excellent fit in this offense.
With his two healthy seasons yielding 1,151 and 1,011 yards respectively with 10 touchdowns apiece, Egbuka can be an electric contributor. An offense that relied heavily on the run game and finished 14th on PFSN’s Offense+ metric could use another spark and Egbuka is that guy.
64) Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Josaiah Stewart is a great replacement for Josh Sweat, whom the team lost in free agency. Stewart is a bit undersized but plays with a relentless motor and aggression. He has good speed and bends around the edge, and he is a plus player in the run game.
One of the best defensive units in the league, which stifled the Kansas City Chiefs to a shutout in the first half of Super Bowl LIX, has seen a lot of upheaval. But as Weissman mentions, Stewart is the perfect guy to replace Sweat on their defensive front.
96) Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia
Philadelphia understands the value of having depth upfront along its offensive line, so it makes complete sense that it would add another guard in the third round. Dylan Fairchild is not the most athletic but offers good size and plays with good strength and balance.
Resting their starters in Week 18 hurt their ranking considerably, but the Philadelphia Eagles rank 11th on PFSN’s OL+ metric. Throughout the season, the eye test suggests their performance was far better than that standing.
However, losing Mekhi Becton would be a blow to the unit, and Fairchild would have to provide some coverage in his absence.
134) Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
The position that might very well have changed the trajectory of the Philadelphia Eagles season. Last year, the Eagles struck gold at their corner spots, adding the likes of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell to the roster. Perhaps they can strike gold a third time with Jordan Hancock out of Ohio State.
A versatile defender who can develop into something excellent; there is a ton to like about Hancock. He has innate athleticism and a comfort in space that should make him a fantastic nickel corner right off the bat.
161) Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
Behind Saquon Barkley, building out a running unit might be in their best interest. Last year was a very healthy one for Barkley. However, wear and tear build up over time. In a loaded RB class, the Eagles walk away with Jaydon Blue in their first of four picks in the 160s.
The Texas running back grew to be a strong contributor in his final year. Totaling 730 yards and eight touchdowns, his 5.4 yards per carry average really stood out as a game-changing number. Even behind Barkley, Blue could excel for Philadelphia.
164) Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Outside of Dallas Goedert, the Philadelphia Eagles did not get a ton of production from their tight end spot. Another loaded position in this year’s class should allow the Eagles to walk away with a contributor in Mitchell Evans.
Over his final two years, he was uber-consistent with 422 and 421-yard seasons while adding four touchdowns to the tally. He built a strong connection with Riley Leonard and could be a smart pickup alongside their other receiving options.
165) Trey Wedig, OT, Indiana
Adding to their offensive line talent, Trey Wedig out of Indiana is a developmental prospect to a T. He has a natural ability as a pass protector but needs to develop as a run-blocker.
His physicality and attributes make him a promising addition to the team. With the ability to play both gap and zone systems, Wedig could become a long-term contributor to the City of Brotherly Love.
168) Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Swapping Kenny Pickett with Dorian Thompson-Robinson isn’t going to light the world on fire. But for their backup quarterback spot, the Eagles could add Riley Leonard from Notre Dame to have a similar mold to the dual-threat Jalen Hurts.