Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Eagles land Bijan Robinson in Mel Kiper, Todd McShay’s three-round 2023 NFL mock draft

The Eagles are set to have Jalen Hurts under contract through 2028, and they’ll now work to surround the All-Pro quarterback with elite talent.

Hurts will sign a team-friendly, five-year, $255 million deal, and the cap hits in the first four years suggest that Philadelphia will remain in win-now mode.

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay just released their latest three-round NFL mock draft for ESPN, and one of the draft experts sticks to his projections that Texas All-American running back Bijan Robinson should be the pick.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) McShay's pick: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

A true three-down dual-threat running back, Robinson led the FBS with 104 forced missed tackles in 2022 and would make All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts even more dangerous in the RPO game.

Look, I know he might not go this high, and we can spend hours talking about running back value in Round 1. But Robinson is my No. 2 overall prospect and makes sense in this Eagles offense. He is a complete back who could dominate alongside newly extended quarterback Jalen Hurts in the backfield.

30. Philadelphia Eagles McShay's pick: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Murphy has the size and Josh Sweat type of athleticism coming off the edge and wouldn’t be forced to be every down player in Philadelphia.

Murphy could not work out at the Scouting Combine after injuring his hamstring in pre-draft work, and he also missed the school’s Pro Day before holding his workout for interested scouts.

Murphy had 40 tackles, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended during his final season with the Tigers.

How about the other really good defensive lineman from Clemson? The Eagles’ D-line was excellent last season, recording 70 sacks. But the unit is aging and could have depth issues. Murphy has the burst to get home on the QB and fits what the Eagles like to do in Round 1: build up the trenches.

62. Philadelphia Eagles McShay's pick: Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 1-ranked defensive tackle in the country and No. 8 overall coming out of high school, Pickens logged 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in his 32 starts at South Carolina.

More trench warfare for the Eagles! Fletcher Cox is 32 years old and on a one-year deal, so bringing in an explosive, powerful and versatile defensive lineman to stack next to Jordan Davis in the future is a good use of this late pick in Round 2.

94. Philadelphia Eagles McShay's pick: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

A mobile, versatile offensive tackle, Freeland could be a player to watch in the second and third rounds.

Freeland started 41 games for the Cougars over four seasons, and at 6-foot-8 and 302 pounds, he only allowed one sack in 2022.

I ended up with all four picks for Philly here, and I’m capping them off with a quick-footed zone blocker who could provide depth for the Eagles’ line and potentially open up some running lanes for new back Bijan Robinson.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.