The Eagles are 11-6 and looking for a reset entering the playoffs after a 27-10 loss to the Giants in the season finale.
Even with Nick Sirianni’s team clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, it’s never too early to look ahead at the NFL draft, and with so many holes on defense, Howie Roseman has the assets to retool the roster.
Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.
We’re looking ahead, and mock draft roundups have the Birds restocking in the trenches or the secondary.
Draft Wire
Draft Wire has the Eagles addressing holes on defense.
25 – Philadelphia Eagles – CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
The Eagles add Rakestraw here to help fill some potential gaps in the secondary from free agent losses.
50 – Philadelphia Eagles – LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
57 – Philadelphia Eagles – WR Xavier Elgette, South Carolina
97 – Philadelphia Eagles – S Jahdae Barron, Texas
Sports Illustrated
Luke Easterling has the Eagles adding a replacement for Quez Watkins.
*25. Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | LSU
CBS Sports
CBS Sports has Philadelphia adding the versatile Barton to the trenches.
Round 1 – Pick 25
Graham Barton OT
DUKE • SR • 6’5″ / 314 LBSPhiladelphia
Barton played left tackle his final three seasons at Duke, and he was the anchor of that unit, but his NFL future will be inside, either at guard or center.
USA Today
USA Today has the Eagles reloading in the trenches.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Maybe this seems like a luxury for a team that has undergone a full-blown defensive collapse late in the season. But Howie Roseman’s affinity for building up his line is well-documented, and the massively powerful Fuaga could be a short-term option at guard while shaping up as a potential long-term replacement for Lane Johnson at right tackle.
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report has Philadelphia adding a safety to the mix.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Miami’s Kamren Kinchens is B/R’s top-rated safety. He could immediately complement Kevin Byard while forcing Reed Blankenship out of the starting lineup.
“Kinchens brings the type of versatility to play in multiple schemes and coverages,” Giddings said. “Furthermore, he plays with a blend of physicality to defend the run from multiple levels.
“The two-time first-team All-ACC defensive back has the skills to be an early starter or at least having a significant role in some team’s defense at the onset of his career.”
PFF
PFF has the Eagles adding depth in the secondary.
25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO
Record: 11-6
Top-100 picks: 4 (1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd)
Player ADP (via MDS): 38.6
Mitchell earned elite PFF coverage grades in each of the past two seasons. In fact, no FBS cornerback forced more incompletions over that span (36) than the Toledo cornerback. He was primarily an off-coverage defender with the Rockets but possesses the quickness to also play press coverage.