After having a successful offseason so far we are officially at the draft portion. In this year’s draft the Eagles had 7 picks. Those picks were: 1.31, 3.16, 4.24,5.12,6.12,7.12,7.24. We are going to go through all of the picks and determine how they fit on the team and if they will be a starter or backup this season.
Round 1 Pick 32: WR Hudson Clement 76 OVR
Roster Spot: Slot Receiver
After trading AJ Brown I knew that I needed to solidify the receiving core with a young talent who could become the number one guy for the rest of the cycle. I had 6 receivers who fit this description from this draft. Originally, I had pick 2.18 and as the draft was unfolding I thought that they might fall considering my number 1 guy WIlliams didn’t get picked till pick 20. After pick 20 the receivers began to be taken so I knew I had to move up. I traded pick 2.18 and 3.12 for this pick and got our guy. Hudson is a tall, fast receiver, with great acceleration and jumping. He comes out of the gate with every receiving attribute at a 75 or better. His catching at a 75 needs some work but that will come naturally. He will play in the slot this season, with Watkins and Smith on the outside. He will be looking at a potential rookie of the year title. We expect good things out of him.
Round 3 Pick 16: LG Jacoby Jackson 75 OVR
Roster Spot: Starting LG
While addressing our first need with a receiver, the next need was a potential starter in the offensive line. Jackson seemed like the best guy available and turns out he was one of the best overall lineman in the draft. His pass block, lead block, and run block finesse need some work, but overall he is a strong lineman who is ready to open holes for MVP candidate Singleton. We had a lot of lineman that were signed in free agency but Jackson played well and will be getting the start. With Dickerson, Mailata, and Becton locked up for the cycle, Jackson looks to be the lock at left guard for the cycle.
Round 4 Pick 24: RG Leif Magnuson 73 OVR
Roster Spot: Backup Lineman
Magnuson was drafted as the best player on our board at this spot. He wasn’t the best choice as some great gems were found by other teams, however, he is a good lineman who can be focused on for next season. He has 90 strength and 70 plus attributes in everything else. He is an above average pass blocker and will be suitable if someone gets hurt.
Round 5 Pick 12: WR Semaj Morgan 72 OVR
Roster Spot: Backup Receiver
Morgan is a fast guy at 93 speed who can jump for the ball with 93 jumping. He doesn’t accelerate that well, but his catching and route running attributes are something that is worthwhile in a rookie. He won’t be the main rookie wide receiver focused on, but he can be a guy who comes in and surprises from time to time. We have a lot of older receivers, and Morgan will take the year to learn from them with a chance to start next season.
Round 6 Pick 12: DT Dvon Ellies 71 OVR
Roster Spot: Backup Defensive Tackle
Ellis is a strong guy, who will go up to 90 strength in our system. His block shed and finesse moves being 81 and 79 respectively already make him a stand out. He will take the year to learn from the veterans on the defensive line while getting better at both spots for a chance to start next season. He is a guy who can find himself playing sooner rather than later.
Round 7 Pick 12: LE Isaac Walker 72 OVR
Roster Spot: Practice Squad Player
The last two picks were two players who I felt had great promise and I couldn’t make my mind up on either one so I went ahead and got both. Walker is a fast guy who has 82 finesse moves, but 60 impact block. He won’t be turning heads but he can work on the practice squad to build himself up into a nice backup player.
Round 7 Pick 27: RE Quashon Fuller 71 OVR
Roster Spot: Practice Squad Player
Fuller is more suited to be a defensive tackle and will probably translate to that in the future. He is 268 pounds with 76 speed and 83 strength. His impact blocking and blockshedding being over 80 make him someone who will stuff the run when given the chance. This is what will be focussed on to increase with him on the practice squad.
We will revisit this draft class once the DDT comes out to see if anything changes.
