The 2023 NFL Draft is almost upon us, so it is time for another full seven-round mock draft for the Philadelphia Eagles. Since my first Eagles mock draft in February, Philadelphia has lost several top players to free agency, while also re-signing key members of the 2022 squad that made the Super Bowl and adding new faces. Jason Kelce is returning after once again contemplating retirement. They will look to fill up some of the holes left by those that left for other teams through the draft. While the entire NFL world waits for the Aaron Rodgers shoe to drop, let’s turn our attention to what the Birds will do later this month.
*Eagles trade pick 10 to Tampa Bay for Picks 19 and 50
Round 1, Pick 19: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
It is an almost 100 percent certainty that Howie Roseman is going to trade back from the 10th pick in the draft. Since Roseman has been the general manager, excluding the year (2015) in which Chip Kelly was in control of decision making on the 90-man roster, he has been known to go nuts with trading for more draft capital. Sometimes, if the right player is there, he may also trade up. In 2022, for example, he was able to turn two first-round picks into Jordan Davis and A.J. Brown. He traded up to 13 for Davis and traded their second first-round pick for Brown. Back to this year, though, the Eagles trade back nine spots while snagging an extra second round pick. With the new pick, they address the future of the cornerback position by taking home state kid Porter Jr. Even after re-signing James Bradberry and Darius Slay, the Eagles could always use depth at cornerback. Porter is an elite, adaptable corner who has a quick change of direction and strong recovery speed.
Round 1, Pick 30: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Eagles are always beefing up their front seven, just recently signing free agent edge rusher Kentavius Street after losing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to the San Francisco 49ers. Philadelphia also re-signed Brandon Graham, but he is now 35 years old, and depth is always something that they look for along the edge. As the Eagles continue to turn into the Philadelphia Bulldogs or Georgia Eagles, they take another dominant Bulldog defender after taking both Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean last year. Smith adds another level of explosiveness to the front seven as he has a ton of upside as a pass rusher.
Round 2, Pick 50: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Several draft scouts have been mocking Texas running back Bijan Robinson to the Eagles at tenth overall. But if the Birds do in fact trade out of that spot, then Robinson will be gone by the time they pick again. Gibbs isn’t as dominant a running back that the former Longhorn is, but still possesses similar dual-threat qualities. Pairing him with Kenneth Gainwell would do wonders for the already dominant offense. The Crimson Tide also have a history of running backs working out very well in the NFL, with the likes of Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry.
Round 2, Pick 62: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Younger brother of Detroit Lions’ right tackle Penei Sewell, Noah is another top talent coming out of Oregon on the opposite side of the ball. The Eagles lost both T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White from their linebacking corps in free agency after both had been key pieces to their defense. Sewell would fill the void well as a very physical and versatile linebacker. He can start immediately and be a beast against the run.
Round 3, Pick 94: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Shifting focus back to the defensive line, Philadelphia works to fill the void left by the departures. The Eagles retained Fletcher Cox as the 11-year veteran sticks with the team that drafted him. Benton is a violent interior lineman that would learn well alongside Cox and the other veteran defensive tackles that remain.
Round 7, Pick 219: Christian Izien, S, Rutgers
Since the Eagles are very light with mid-round picks, it’s very possible they trade back for more draft capital. But in this mock, they stay put and just have two seventh rounders. The Eagles lost CJ Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps in free agency while in turn signing former Steeler Terrell Edmunds and former Saint Just Evans for the safety position. The secondary isn’t a position Philly usually focuses on early in the draft. Izien is a more under-the-radar type of safety who could be used as a chess piece in a defense that likes their versatile defenders.
Round 7, Pick 248: Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
The Eagles, of course, still have an elite tight end in five-year veteran Dallas Goedert while also retaining Tyree Jackson this offseason. Their tight end room is pretty full as they also have Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra. But snagging depth in the late rounds is never a bad thing, and Strange is a strong pass catching tight end within the state. The former Nittany Lion is also a dominant blocker and can be developed into a future stud at the position.
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