Eagles 7-round mock draft: Trade for O-lineman in 1st round, take CB in Round 2

The NFL Draft finally arrived, and so has the end of mock draft season. After a few attempts earlier this year (start of offseason, pre-combine, post-free agency) this is the best attempt at identifying targets for the Eagles. The final mock draft is supposed to be predictive — not necessarily what I would do, but what I can see Howie Roseman and the Eagles doing this weekend.

Now let the countdown begin for the 2025 mock draft…

FIRST ROUND

Trade with Seattle: No. 22 and No. 53 for No. 16 and No. 81

No. 16: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

There’s buzz that the Eagles are looking to trade up for a cornerback, but I still expect the offensive line to be the target. J.C. Latham would be the player I’d want, but this is supposed to be predictive and there’s also a realistic scenario in which Latham is off the board in the top 15. Fautanu is a player that I can see the Eagles coveting. His athleticism at the position jumps out, including the best broad jump among the first-round offensive linemen. (The Eagles place a premium on board jump.) The age (24 in October)  might be more of a concern for me than the Eagles — most of the offensive linemen Howie Roseman drafted were 23 and older. Fautanu starts from Day 1 at right guard and can be a high-level player early in his career, and there’s long-term optionality to take over Lane Johnson. The position flexibility is a plus. If he stays at guard, the best players at that spot now make $20 million per year. The offensive line is always a priority for the Eagles and Fautanu is one of the best in this draft.

SECOND ROUND

No. 50: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

If the Eagles don’t go cornerback in Round 1, I can’t see them waiting too much longer and Melton is a player they can get behind. He has inside-outside versatility, standout athleticism (98th percentile broad jump, 91st percentile vertical jump, a 4.39-second 40-yard dash), and big-time experience at Rutgers. Although 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds is not top-in-class size, the 32 ⅛-inch arms would pass any threshold to play on the outside. The way he played against Marvin Harrison Jr. shows he can translate to the NFL. Melton is from Mays Landing, so he’s a local player.

THIRD ROUND

No. 81: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

The third-round receiver was my biggest hangup, and I juggled this name a few times. (Malachi Corley was the pick at one point.) The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Walker gets the edge because of his ability to play the outside, combined with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash. His broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches) was the second-best among wide receivers at the combine and in the 97th percentile — notice a trend? — to go along with a 40 ½-inch vertical leap. He averaged 17 yards per catch in eight games at North Carolina last season after missing time early in the season because of a compliance issue. With an average depth of target of 18.2 yards, you can count on him as a deep threat. Walker can be an upgrade on Quez Watkins early in his career and develop into more. If this is a bit early for Walker, the Eagles could move back a few spots to try to move up from the fifth round to the fourth round.

FOURTH ROUND

No. 103: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

The Eagles prioritize traits in linebackers, and that’s what Wallace offers. He’s 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a broad jump that places him in the 92nd percentile at his position. He was a three-year player who turned 21 in February, so there’s room to grow, but his skill set and success in the SEC could allow him to push to be the third linebacker this season and grow into a bigger role. 

FIFTH ROUND

No. 161: Jalyx Hunt, edge, Houston Christian

Edge rusher is more of a long-term need than short-term need, and Hunt is the type of high-upside swing the Eagles could take at the position. Houston Christian is not a scouting hotbed, so for Hunt to get this type of attention (and a visit to the Eagles) suggests they’re intrigued. And there’s much to be intrigued about — a converted safety from Cornell with a 6-foot-4, 252-pound frame, 34 ⅜-inch arms, and a 4.64-second 40-yard dash. The Eagles’ top four edge rushers are set this year, so if they can develop him, a bigger role comes up beyond this season.

No. 171:  Zak Zinter, G, Michigan

The Eagles like injury discounts, and if Zinter slips because of a broken left leg in November, the Eagles would like that value. Zinter started 42 games at right guard for Michigan and was twice first-team All-Big Ten. The Eagles brought him in for a pre-draft visit. Zinter doesn’t come with the versatility of other interior players (such as Tanor Bortolini), but he could be a valuable backup at both guard spots and the Eagles can use Tyler Steen as a reserve tackle.

No 172: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

The Eagles skew younger when drafting running backs, and the 21-year-old Shipley left Clemson after starting 27 games in three years. He brings value as a pass catcher — he averaged 34.5 catches during the past two seasons — and is a former five-star recruit. Shipley is another prospect who dealt with an injury in the pre-draft process, so he didn’t test at the combine. His strong Pro Day showing might have cemented his stock earlier than the fifth round, but he’s considered among a crowd of Day 3 running backs at this point. Give them the 21-year old over the 24-year olds.

SIXTH ROUND

No. 210: Justin Eboigbe, DL, Alabama

Another player who might drop because of injury questions, Eboigbe missed most of 2022 because of a herniated disc. He returned last season to play 14 games, totaled seven sacks, and earned first-team all-SEC. At 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds with 33 ⅜-inch arms, he can help the defensive line in multiple spots — especially as an end in three-man fronts. The medical staff would need to clear this pick, and with a clean medical, he probably wouldn’t even be a consideration at this point. The Eagles like to use late-round picks on players along the lines of scrimmage and wait until undrafted free agency for positions that are less of a priority.