The second wave of free agency is well underway and the Eagles have been active. In addition to adding pass rusher/LB Haason Reddick, Philadelphia added LB Kyzir White and WR Zach Pascal along with re-signing veterans WR Greg Ward, DB Andre Chachere, RB Boston Scott, S Anthony Harris and former first round pick DE Derek Barnett.
However, there are still a few holes that need to be plugged and depth to be added at several key positions.
With the in mind, we present the 7th edition of our 2022 TPB Philadelphia Eagles 7-Round Mock Draft by Pierrot Baptiste Jr.
Round 1 – Pick 15: Devonte Wyatt (DT), Georgia
As in our very own Marquell Fripp-Owens’ mock draft last week, the Eagles select the University of Georgia star defensive tackle.
Wyatt is a 6-foot-3, 307 pound monster. Wyatt excelled as a pass rusher and run stuffer. Per PFF, Wyatt graded out as the only SEC defensive tackle with an 80+ run and pass rush grade.
Wyatt is explosive off the line of scrimmage and he possesses strong and slippery hands. He wins with his absurd combination of athleticism and technique. He understands leverage, is a quick and decisive mover, and plays with an uncanny motor for a player of his size. Wyatt is always churning and chipping away until the final whistle. Wyatt offers versatility in both skillset and alignment, as he’s lined up as a 1-tech, 3 tech, and even as an EDGE rusher.
The Eagles will be in the market for a defensive tackle with veterans Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave both entering the last years of their respective deals. Hassan Ridgeway also signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Wyatt and Milton Williams would solidify the interior of the Eagles defense for years to come.
TRADE
Eagles send: 2022 1st round pick (16) & 2023 3rd round pick to CHIEFS in exchange for 2022 1st round pick (29), 2022 3rd round pick (94), & KC 2023 1st round pick
The Eagles trade back with the Chiefs, who leapfrog several wide receiver needy teams in their effort to replace Tyreek Hill. In addition to the 29th pick, Philadelphia acquires a third rounder this year and a future first, which they are reportedly looking for.
Round 1 – Pick 19: Chris Olave (WR), Ohio State
Again, just like in my most recent mock draft and our very own Marquell Fripp Owens’ mock draft last week, the Eagles select the most pro ready wideout in this draft: Chris Olave.
The savy and smooth 6-foot, 187 pound Olave can win anywhere you put him on the field. Olave has been written about by myself and Fripp-Owens in recent weeks. And the consensus here is he’s an absolute technician who can dominate at all three levels due to his ability to create separation through nuanced route running, a reliable set of hands, and flat out game-breaking speed.
This past week at Ohio State’s Pro Day (Eagles had representation in attendance), Olave spoke about the potential of being drafted by the Eagles and being paired with Eagles 2021 first-round pick, DeVonta Smith.
“Man, that’d be huge. Him winning the Heisman, I could learn a lot from him. We’re the same age, I feel like we’d be a great tandem.”
Chris Olave
TRADE
Eagles send CHIEFS 2022 1st round pick (29) to JETS in exchange for 2022 2nd round pick (35) & 2022 4th round pick (111)
The Jets, after revamping their defense with the selections of defensive end Travon Walker (4th overall) and cornerback Derek Stingley (10th overall) trade up back into the first round and jump teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Chiefs to take G/C Zion Johnson. Philadelphia avoids making three first round selections and is still able to select a 1st round talent.
Round 2 – Pick 35: Kyler Gordon (CB), Washington
Philadelphia misses out on the CB1 for the Washington Huskies, Trent McDuffie but they select one of the highest ceiling defensive backs in the entire draft.
Kyler Gordon is a nicely built, dynamic football player. At 5-foot-11 and a half and 194 pounds, Gordon is a decisive tackler who excels in space. Gordon is a fireball of competitiveness both as a tackler and in coverage. He’s a high IQ defensive back who is at his best in zone coverage. Gordon understands spatial leverage and does a nice job clicking and closing when making tackles. He’s also spent time at nickel corner in addition to primarily playing outside.
In man coverage, Gordon relies on his athleticism more than anything. which may be a negative to some. However, there are very workable traits. Gordon plays much fast than his 4.52 40 time. Gordon’s short area quickness aides him in coverage and helps him stay in phase with the receivers he’s covering. He plays with a juiced up demeanor and is an aggressive and physical athlete. Gordon is a technically sound cornerback who doesn’t have many flaws in his game, and the flaws he does have will only improve with time around NFL coaching.
If Derek Stingley is the athletic gold standard in this upcoming draft at cornerback, Gordon is a very close second. Gordon has been compared to Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones and its clearly evident in the play styles. With the Eagles, Gordon would be in every cornerback’s dream situation: playing next to and getting the opportunity to learn under All-Pro defensive back Darius Slay for a year or two.
Round 2 – Pick 50: Jalen Pitre (S), Baylor
The Baylor defensive prospect is versatility personified. He’s labeled as a safety, but he isn’t necessarily only a defensive back as he’s lined up everywhere. In Baylor’s defense, Pitre was labeled with the STAR position. They tasked him with playing in the box, at nickel corner and outside linebacker. The 6-foot, 198 pound Pitre is the ultimate chess piece.
Pitre is a physical, quick, and decisive processor, who is active in run support and in coverage. He plays with impactful closing speed. He’s a see ball-hit ball defender. In coverage, Pitre has aligned as a nickel corner and deep half safety and one thing is clear: Pitre’s short area quickness and fluidity in coverage is one of his main calling cards. He’s highly skilled at reading quarterbacks and isn’t easily deceived. Over four years at Baylor (including a COVID shortened junior year) Pitre amassed 195 total tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, 10 pass break-ups, 4 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions (including 2 which were returned for touchdowns).
Pitre would be an intriguing add for the Eagles. He’d allow Jonathan Gannon to implore exotic looks and could operate everywhere on defense.
Round 3 – Pick 83: Josh Paschal (DE), Kentucky
Josh Paschal is one of my favorite defensive prospects in this draft and he fits exactly what the Eagles are looking for this offseason: pass rush. Paschal graded out as a top 5 EDGE defender per PFF in 2021.
He’s explosive off the line and has some really strong hands that he puts to use. He has the ability to knife through blockers and bulldoze ball carriers. As a pass rusher, Paschal is a penetrator who effectively collapses the pocket and gets to the quarterback seemingly at will. I cannot overstate: Paschal is power personified. Combine that power with some really quick feet and a solid repertoire of hand counters and you have yourself a really high ceiling pass rusher.
Paschal has also lined up as both a standup pass rusher and with his hand in the dirt. The 6-foot-3, 270 pound Paschal ran an impressive 4.77 40 yard dash and posted a 38-inch vertical jump which ranked in the 91st percentile. Across five seasons, Paschal tallied 137 total tackles, 13 sacks, and 35.5 tackles for a loss.
Paschal has also overcome some extreme adversity in his life. In August 2018, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent immunotherapy treatment. He returned for four games later in the season. Paschal has an incredible story.
Round 3 – Pick 94: Cole Strange (IOL), Chattanooga
In my most recent mock draft (check there for an in-depth breakdown), I had the Eagles selecting Cole Strange and in this one, I’m doing the same. Only this time, in the 3rd round. Strange had an impressive showing in which he ranked in high percentiles in various testing measurables.
- 99th percentile in broad jump
- 90th percentile in 40 Yard Dash (5.03) and 20 Yard Shuttle (4.5)
- 89th percentile in 3 Cone Drill (7.44)
As I’ve stated before, Strange is an instinctive road grader of an offensive lineman. He’d add to an offensive line that is an already (wait for it….) stout unit.
Round 4 – Pick 111: Charlie Kolar (TE), Iowa State
At 6-foot-6, 252 pounds, Charlie Kolar is a nice sized tight end. He’s a fluid mover who has a keen understanding of angles and space as a route runner. Kolar is as sure handed as they come (2 drops in 2021, 0 drops in 2020) at the tight end position and has the skill set to carve out a security blanket role for himself at the next level.
Across his four year career, Kolar hauled in 168 passes for 2,181 yards (13.0 yards per catch), and 23 touchdowns. Kolar’s 63 catches in 2021 were the most by a power five tight end in a single season since 2017.
The Eagles were a top 10 team in terms of 12 personnel (2 tight ends on the field) frequency in 2021. They traded away Zach Ertz mid-season and were dependent upon a contingent featuring Richard Rodgers, Jack Stoll, and Tyree Jackson opposite star TE Dallas Goedert. Going back to the days of Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, the Eagles have always valued having two productive tight ends on the roster and adding Charlie Kolar would help them continue the tradition.
Round 4 – Pick 124: Pierre Strong Jr (RB), South Dakota State
Pierre Stong Jr. is an instinctive and patient runner with some impressive burst. Strong runs with authority and has very good breakaway speed. Strong has a clear second gear when he hits the open field.
Although he’s an FCS product, Strong Jr. has been flat out dominant with 631 carries for 4,527 yards and 40 touchdowns. Strong Jr. has also been impactful in the passing game. He caught 62 passes for 581 yards.
Pierre Strong Jr. will likely operate as a change of pace back at the next level, but has legitimate RB1 potential. The Eagles will likely be in the market for a running back to add to their committee based unit with starter Miles Sanders entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Round 5 – Pick 154: Kalia Davis (DT), UCF
This selection is a low-risk, high reward selection. It’s a 5th round selection spent on a player who more than likely would’ve been a late day 2, early day 3 selection if not for injuries.
Kalia Davis is a disruptor at heart. He plays with immense power and quickness at the point of attack. He effectively shoots gaps and stifles runners. In the pass game, he can collapse the pocket and make quarterbacks uncomfortable. But for Davis it all starts with his get off and technique. He doesn’t have any one trait to hang his hat on, but he is an athletic defender who has traits to work with and develop. Davis has flashed a ton.
The biggest question with Davis is his health and conditioning. Over the last two seasons, Davis has played just 5 games due to opting out of his junior year due to COVID and suffering a season ending injury. Again it’s a low-risk, high reward selection.
Round 5 – Pick 162: Terrel Bernard (LB), Baylor
The 2nd Baylor prospect selected in this mock, Bernard is another athletic and competitive defensive prospect. I profiled Bernard in my Senior Bowl prep article for Philly Sports Network.
Bernard will likely align as a weak-side linebacker at the next level. The 6-foot-1, 220 pound linebacker was the captain of the Baylor defense and it’s evident in his play-style. Bernard plays like a heat seeking missile, flying in on tackles and always looking for a big hit. In four seasons at Baylor, Pitre tallied a whopping 317 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, and 16.5 sacks. Bernard, due to his size, sometimes finds himself unable to get off blocks and his aggressive play-style sometimes works against him as he plays himself out of plays at times, but there is a lot to like with the Baylor prospect.
Bernard is a highly productive-high ceiling prospect who in the right situation could become a very good NFL player. With the Eagles Bernard could operate as a sub package defender who (like Pitre) could excel with simulated pressures and being asked to run and chase offensive players in underneath hook-curl zones. Bernard also offers special teams usage due to his speed.
Round 5 – Pick 166: Tyquan Thorton (WR), Baylor
The Eagles haven’t had a difference maker in the special teams return game in quite some time. Tyquan Thorton changes that.
He has a history as a sprinter. Thorton was a four star recruit who ran a 10.5 in the 100-meter dash. Thorton also won a state title in the 400-meter dash as a junior in high school, in addition to running a 21.07 in the 200-meter dash. Simply put, Thorton is a blazer.
As a receiver, Thorton clearly has the speed to win and take the top off defenses. Thorton’s 79-inch wingspan also helps him in contested catch situations.
Round 6 – Pick 194: Jordan Stout (P), Penn State
The Eagles spend their last pick on a punter. Arron Siposs struggled a lot last season. He ranked 26th in terms of gross punting yardage. Siposs ranked 24th in net punting yardage.
Almost 30 percent of Jordan Stout’s punts traveled 50 or more yards in 2021. He average 44.5 yards per punt in his college career. Stout also handled kicking duties for Penn State in 2021, making 16 of 23 kicks and scoring 82 points.
Cover Image Credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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