More Sports:

February 11, 2019

Eagles-only 2019 mock draft, version 2.0

In case you missed our Eagles-only mock draft 1.0, you can find it hereAs a reminder, the Eagles are projected to have nine draft picks this year, with two in the second round, and none in the third. Let's just get right to it.

Round 1: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson (6-foot-5, 260 pounds)

Ferrell was a redshirt sophomore a season ago who could have come out and likely would have been a first-round pick, but he opted to stay at Clemson. His numbers:

Clelin Ferrell Tackles Sacks FF TFL 
 201644 12.5 
 201766 9.5 18 
 201855 11.5 20 
 TOTAL165 27 50.5 


Ferrell has ideal size at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds for a 4-3 defensive end at the NFL level. While he plays on a loaded Clemson defensive line, you can see in the below video that he creates his own pressure.


In addition to being a a good pass rusher, Ferrell plays hard and is also a good run defender, much like Derek Barnett when he came out in 2017.

With Brandon Graham potentially leaving in free agency this season, as well as Chris Long and Michael Bennett nearing the end of their careers, the Eagles badly need to reload at DE, a position of extreme importance in Jim Schwartz's scheme.

Round 2: Devin Singletary, RB, FAU (5-foot-9, 200 pounds)

In three seasons at FAU, Singletary ran for 66 TDs (32 in 2017!) and over 4,000 yards. 

 Devin SingletaryRush Yards YPC TD 
 2016152 1,021 6.7 12 
 2017301 1,920 6.4 32 
 2018261 1,348 5.2 22 
 TOTAL714 4,287 6.0 66 


Obviously, those numbers are nuts. Of course, the Eagles got burned by a highly productive, undersized running back recently when they drafted Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Singletary isn't Pumphrey, as he breaks an extraordinarily high number of tackles. Per Dane Brugler of The Athletic:

With his lateral agility, widescreen vision and overall balance, Singletary has a unique feel for breaking tackles. According to Sports Info Solutions, he broke a FBS-best 113 tackles this season (30 more than any other player) with 941 yards after initial contact. Singletary doesn’t have ideal body armor on his frame, but he makes it extremely tough for defenders to get a clean hit on him. His tape has a ton of “whoa” moments.

Here's a highlight reel:


As you can see in the video, while not the biggest guy, Singletary is effective using little jump cuts and start-and-stop moves to pick his way through holes between the tackles. As a receiver, Singletary's career numbers (51-397-1) aren't spectacular, but the feeling among most draft analysts is that he'll be productive in that area at the next level. Pass protection... we'll see.

While not a guy you're going to give the ball to 20 times per game, Singletary could be a weapon in an Eagles offense that badly needs some explosiveness at the running back position.

Round 2: Dalton Risner, C, Kansas State (6-foot-5, 300 pounds)

Risner has offensive line versatility that Doug Pederson and the Eagles love. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Risner started 13 games at center. In his sophomore season, Risner moved to right tackle, where he has started since. 

He is a player similar to Isaac Seumalo, in that he can play all five spots along the offensive line. Many believe his future at the next level is at center or guard.

Here he is shutting down Senior Bowl standout and projected first-round pick Montez Sweat this season:


With Jason Kelce confirming that's he's essentially year-to-year going forward in the NFL, Risner gives the Eagles a future starter along the interior of the offensive line, wherever he may be needed, with the added ability to kick out to tackle in a pinch.

Round 4: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia (6-foot-0, 210 pounds)

As we note here constantly, Schwartz likes his safeties to have cornerback experience in their backgrounds, and that's true of Thornhill, who moved to safety as a senior at Virginia.

Thornhill was also a very productive player in college, which is something the Eagles seem to be prioritizing over the last three drafts. As you can see, he gets his hands on a lot of footballs:

Juan Thornhill Tackles (TFL) INT FF-FR PBU 
 20152 (0)0-0 
 201645 (3)1-0 
 201763 (4.5)0-0 12 
 201898 (4.5)0-0 
 TOTAL208 (12) 13 1-0 26 


A highlight reel:


The Eagles were able to get Rodney McLeod to take a pay cut, but in restructuring his contract, McLeod will become a free agent after the 2019 season. Thornhill could play an immediate role as a third safety, with the potential to start in the McLeod role in 2020 and beyond.

(To note, I do think that if the Eagles really liked Thornhill, they'd have to move up to get him. The third round pick the Eagles wasted on trading for Golden Tate would probably be a more appropriate spot here.)

Round 4: Max Scharping, OT, Northen Illinois (6-foot-6, 320 pounds)

Scharping has experience playing both tackle spots on Northern Illinois' line, as well as a little bit of guard. The Eagles will value his versatility. 

According to wrex.com, "he allowed just eight quarterback pressures on 469 pass blocking chances in 2018 and has surrendered just one sack over the past three seasons."

With Jason Peters retiring soon, the Eagles could use more tackle depth, and one who can play both sides would make sense, especially with Halapoulivaati Vaitai heading into a contract year in 2019.

Round 5: Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State (6-foot-4, 210 pounds)

Coming out of high school, Williams was a highly sought after prospect who enrolled at Tennessee, but had a major knee injury his senior year in high school. After two disappointing seasons with the Vols, he transferred to Colorado State, where he was arrested, and subsequently suspended by CSU (even though he couldn't play during the 2017 season as a transfer anyway). 

In 2018, Williams had an outstanding season, catching 96 passes for 1,345 yards and 14 TDs. A highlight reel: 


Williams was not invited to the NFL Combine as a result of a the above arrest, which was a domestic violence charge. Here are some of the details, from Kelly Lyell the Coloradoan:

Williams allegedly shoved a woman, who identified herself as his girlfriend, and restrained her at one point by grabbing her arm while she was trying to leave an apartment the two shared, according to a Fort Collins police report. Williams was originally charged with harassment and tampering, both misdemeanors, with a domestic violence enhancement, court records show.

A protection order was issued in the case, and Williams was arrested again Oct. 18, 2017 for violating that order by placing “approximately 200” phone calls to the woman.

Williams' talent is obvious, and would be a good fit in the Eagles' offense on the outside. The Eagles were interested in Joe Mixon during the 2017 NFL Draft, and don't seem opposed to drafting players with serious character concerns, including ones involving domestic violence. However, they will obviously do extensive homework on players like Williams.

Round 6: T.J. Edwards, LB, Wisconsin (6-foot-1, 242 pounds)

Edwards led the Badgers in tackles as a freshman, sophomore, and senior, and was second as a junior in 2017. More importantly, over the last two seasons, Edwards has 10 interceptions. His numbers at Wisconsin:

T.J. Edwards Tackles (TFL)INT Sacks FF-FR-PBU 
 201584 (6.5) 1-0-4 
 201689 (8.5) 0-0-2 
 201781 (11) 0-0-7 
 2018112 (11.5) 0-1-2 
 TOTAL366 (37.5) 10 1-1-15 


Those interceptions are of the impressive variety: 


Edwards doesn't have elite athleticism, and is not expected to test well at the Combine. While you don't want him covering guys like Tarik Cohen or Alvin Kamara out of the backfield, Edwards is good in coverage, particularly in zone assignments, which is what Schwartz prioritizes in his linebackers.

Round 6: Cody Thompson, WR, Toledo (6-foot-2, 205 pounds)

Thompson is a former quarterback-turned-receiver, and the Eagles kind of have a thing for those guys, as evidenced by their acquisitions of Braxton Miller, Greg Ward, and Trey Burton.

Thompson also has an 18.3 yards per catch average over his career at Toledo, which the Eagles also covet. Over his career, he has 181 catches for 3,312 yards and 30 TDs. 

One of the glaring pieces missing from the Eagles' offense is a speed receiver who can make big plays. With Shelton Gibson being unable to get on the field after two seasons, the Eagles could use another mid-to-late-round speed receiver to develop if they can't land one early in the draft.

A highlight reel:


In addition to big play ability, Thompson also has great hands, as he has a very low drop rate. 

Round 6: Ryan Bee, DT, Marshall (6-foot-7, 280 pounds)

There's no buzz on Bee that I can see (sorry), but this guy has some athleticism at his defensive tackle spot:


Over his four-year career at Marshall, Bee has 200 tackles (29.5 for loss), 18 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. The Eagles need an infusion of youth on their defensive line, and I can absolutely see the Eagles having interest in Bee as a rotational interior defender.


Follow Jimmy & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @JimmyKempski | @thePhillyVoice

Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports

Add Jimmy's RSS feed to your feed reader

Videos