Eagles mock draft mailbag: Trade up for Sauce Gardner or trade down for David Ojabo?

The invitation was simple: Find your favorite draft simulator and pretend you’re Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.  

Do you think you can put together the best Eagles mock draft? Show it off in a Mock Draft Mailbag…

Reply here with a 7-round Eagles mock using your favorite draft simulator. We’ll analyze your Howie Roseman impression on the @TheAthleticNFL.

You’re on the clock.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) April 18, 2022

What followed were suggestions for how the Eagles could approach the draft, complete with mock draft favorites (such as Jordan Davis), trades up into the top 10, trades down into the bottom third of the first round and different philosophies for how the Eagles should use their 10 picks.

Monday’s tweet drew dozens of replies. We picked 10 different mock drafts to highlight a sampling of different approaches, with a particular focus on varying the combinations in the first three picks. Below, I offer my analysis of those mock drafts. Leave your comments on which mock draft is best and what you would do differently if Roseman invited you to the team facility next week.

@Eagles_Insights Mock Draft

	Player	Position	College
R1: 15	Jordan Davis	DT
R1: 18	Trade for 1st (31), 3rd (95), 6th (209)
R1: 31	George Pickens	WR
R2: 51	Cameron Thomas	Edge
R3: 83	Dameon Pierce	RB
R3: 95	Bryan Cook	S
R3: 101	Luke Goedeke	T
R4: 124	Cordale Flott	CB
R5: 154	Charlie Kolar	TE
R5: 162	Jaivon Heiligh	WR
R5: 166	Noah Eliss	DT
R6: 209	Christopher Allen	Edge
R7: 237	Jason Poe	G	Mercer

Berman: This is an interesting draft because you land a strong target at No. 15, trade back from No. 18 and still land a first-round receiver. I like Pickens’ upside and think he’d be a good investment late in the first round as long as you’re comfortable with the lack of elite production (90 catches, 1,347 yards, 14 touchdowns in 26 college games).

Speaking of production, you can’t argue with what Thomas did last season. I just think he might be a reach at No. 51. My issue with this draft is it doesn’t do enough to address the secondary. I believe in taking the best available player, but I think you pushed Thomas and Pierce up the board a bit. Turn the second or third round into a defensive back that hits that value, and my grade would be higher.

Berman: I like your value with all of these picks. Williams and Karlaftis would be a solid first-round combo — Williams as a high-upside player for whom you might have to wait a bit to get healthy and Karlaftis as an immediate contributor who can grow into a starter when Brandon Graham moves on. The Day 2 safety pick will be interesting. If you think Brisker stands out in that mix, he’s a strong pick at No. 51. I’m not sure they land Bryant in the fifth round, but I like double-dipping on cornerback and safety. And if nothing else, Smoke Monday would be a great name to talk about on BwF.

Berman: I like Wyatt less than some and Booth more than some, although I’m not sure I think that’s the best first-round combo. Wyatt is 24 without much college production, but if you believe in the athletic traits and the scheme change, he would add value to the Eagles’ interior defense. I wonder if you could trade back a few spots to land Booth. Bonitto would be interesting in the second round if you think he’s not mostly a stand-up rusher. Ross is a pick the medical staff would have to be comfortable with. Based on talent, I’m fine with him as a third-round pick.

Also, I must address Strong. He has traits to develop, and the 101st pick is a fine place to invest in a No. 3 quarterback. Still, I’d likely wait until next year at quarterback — unless they trade Minshew or believe the value is too high to pass up at that point. But quarterbacks often get pushed up the board.

Berman: This is the trade-back draft. I’d rather move back from 15 than from 18, but in this case, you land an extra third plus a 2023 third-rounder while drafting two plug-and-play players in Round 1 in Olave and Dean. You’d sell me on Joseph more in Round 3 than in Round 2. Jones is a good player, but is he a slot-only cornerback?

My issue with this draft is you didn’t do enough to address the defensive line. Two third-rounders on offensive linemen and no edge rushers? That’s what I would change here.

@PierreB3_ Mock Draft

Pick	Player	Position
R1: 6	Ahmad Gardner	CB
R1: 15	Traded 1st (No. 15), 3rd (No. 83), 5th (No. 154), 2023 2nd
R1: 18	George Karlaftis	Edge
R2: 51	John Metchie	WR
R3: 101	Bryan Cook	S
R4: 124	Otito Ogbonnia	DL
R5: 162	Zyon McCollum	CB	Sam Houston State
R5: 166	Charlie Kolar	TE
R7: 237	ZaQuandre White	RB

Berman: This is the trade-up draft. If the Eagles can get to No. 6 without giving up No. 18 or No. 51, it would be an impressive trade. I’m not sure they could do that, and I’m not sure they’ll give up that 2023 second-rounder. Gardner is one of the best players in the draft, though. If you’re going to move up to No. 6, that’s the type of player to seek — a premium player, a near-premium position and a position of need.

In this case, you still land Karlaftis. I like Metchie in this range — you need to wait for him to get healthy, but I think he’s underrated and could contribute to the Eagles. 

The big question here would be where that 2023 second-round pick lands. If the Eagles regress and that pick is in the 30s, you might not be thrilled with this trade. If the Eagles are in the playoffs again and Gardner is a shut-down cornerback, that’s a good deal.

Berman: You’re pandering to me with a draft that includes Johnson, Burks and McCreary with your first three picks. I like all three — and also like Asamoah in the third round. I also agree with picking Woods as a developmental tight end. I’d be surprised if Salyer is still on the board that late, though.

My quibble here is the two third-round linebackers and no safety. Safety is the Eagles’ biggest need. They need to hit that position at some point in the draft.

@matthewgroff92 Mock Draft

Pick	Player	Position
R1: 15	Garrett Wilson	WR
R1: 18	Trade for 2nd (No. 33), 3rd (No. 65), 3rd (No. 70)
R2: 33	David Ojabo	Edge
R2: 51	Chad Muma	LB
R3: 65	Martin Emerson	CB
R3: 70	Josh Paschal	Edge
R3: 83	Nick Cross	S
R3: 101	Dohnovan West	C
R4: 124	Bailey Zappe	QB
R5: 154	Cordale Flott	CB
R5: 162	Obinna Eze	T
R5: 166	Noah Elliss	DT
R7: 237	Matt Araiza	P	San Diego State

Berman: I like trading back from No. 18 and landing a high second and two thirds, but I’m not thrilled with how you spent those picks. Sign me up for Ojabo in the second round if you’re comfortable with how he’ll recover, but that’s a considerable risk. I think you might be a bit early on Emerson, too, but this draft has some interesting Day 2 players who can contribute early — Muma, Paschal, Cross. And I have no issue with Araiza in Round 7. (I wouldn’t take him in Round 4, though.)

Berman: If you think McDuffie is as good as draft analysts suggest, then I have nothing to complain about here. I’m not as sold on McDuffie, but that’s certainly the right range for him. I’m not sure Walker will last until No. 51. If he’s available, that would be a good pick for the Eagles. Ruckert didn’t have much production in the Ohio State offense, but he’s one of the best tight ends in the draft. I’m not big on Araiza in the fourth round; a punter is not how I’d spend a fourth-rounder. Dane Brugler would disagree. Both your fifth- and seventh-round picks present good value.

Berman: Trading up to land Johnson is interesting. I would consider it, though I’m not sure Bo and Sheil would. My top three trade-up targets are Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kyle Hamilton and Derek Stingley, and I would pounce if one of them is on the board at No. 10. I think Johnson is an impact pass rusher, so I’m fine with that trade. It’s solid value, and the Jets are a potential trade partner. The best part of this mock is Davis lasting until No. 18. If the Eagles land Johnson and Davis, that would be an outstanding first round.

I like most of the picks here, but I think you should have snuck a cornerback into the haul. Trading those picks doesn’t help with inventory, and you wouldn’t want to move back from No. 18 if Davis is there. I would have moved back at No. 51 and tried to get a few more lottery tickets.

@DESportsFan Mock Draft

Pick	Player	Position
R1: 15	Derek Stingley Jr.	CB
R1: 18	Drake London	WR
R2: 51	Boye Mafe	Edge	Minnesota
R3: 83	Nick Cross	S
R3: 101	Channing Tindall	LB
R4: 124	Cade Otton	TE
R5: 154	Alec Lindstrom	C
R5: 162	Matt Henningsen	DT
R5: 166	Tyquan Thornton	WR
R7: 237	Eyioma Uwazurike	DT

Berman: Stingley lasting until No. 15 is a great outcome; I’m curious who this simulation had the Vikings taking at No. 12. At No. 18,  London would spur debate. This seems to be a matter of taste, but he’s clearly an upgrade for the Eagles. Mafe in the second round is fine; you’re gambling on the traits. I like both of the third-rounders, and Thornton’s speed is a worthwhile shot in Round 5. I think you might have reached for Henningsen, but I won’t quibble. Some good upside in this draft. 

(Photo of David Ojabo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)