TIME to weigh-in on how we think the Eagles did in this draft. This is a “rolling” report, meaning that instead of putting out multiple articles, repeating the same things; I’m just going to add to this one. So you’ll to have to come back to this one, for the latest developments.
Let’s get at it!
Round 1: LB Jihaad Campbell (6’3, 235) – As an off-ball LB, his speed and explosiveness jump off the screen. However, upon listening to General Manager Howie Roseman in the 10 minute presser that followed the Draft, what you’ve seen, may not be what we get.
It seems like the plan, is to bulk Campbell up (at 4:50) and use him mostly as an edge rusher. In fact, when asked about expectations from Campbell as an off-ball LB, Roseman said (at 6:54), that he didn’t want to put Campbell in that box. Roseman also said (at 2:00) that this was “not a need pick”. That statement almost makes Campbell sound like a project, or developmental in nature.
Note: I said that we should move up to #15, to select DT Walter Nolen or DE Shemar Stewart. They went #16 and #17 respectively. So I feel vindicated in regards to my strategic assessment.
Round 2: FS Andrew Mukuba (5’11, 186) – He’s athletic, but I don’t see the plan for him. His size is fine for a CB, but as a S, I have concerns at this level. Especially in regards to jump balls. It’s hard not to see this pick, as hedging our bets against S Sydney Brown being able to take over the FS spot.
Round 3: NO PICK – I suspected that we would use our third round pick in some sort of trade, and I nailed it.
Round 4: DT Ty Robinson (6’6, 288) – Nothing against Jihaad Campbell, but this was my favorite pick of the Eagles draft. Robinson’s listed as a DT, but he can play anywhere on the line, and be effective from there. Not just against the run, but as a pass rusher. We haven’t had a body type at DE like this, since Clyde Simmons. With his physical, bullying style, if unleashed at LDE, with DT Jalen Carter eating double-teams to his right…Robinson could turn out to be special.
Round 5: CB Mac McWilliams (5’10, 191) – Nickel Corner who’s at home playing around and behind the line of scrimmage. His downfield coverage hints that he’ll need help over the top whenever he’s on the field.
Round 5: LB Smael Mondon (6’2, 224) – He’s on the small side, but a few cheesesteaks will get him to 230 – 235. What he has going for him already, is speed and a knack for keeping himself clean before knifing into the backfield. So his floor is Special Teamer.
Round 5: C Drew Kendall (6’4, 308) – Decent play strength and good mobility. He has a couple of issues that jump off the tape. The first one gets mentioned by everyone, and might not be fixable. He plays too upright. He doesn’t bend much at the knee and/or waist, to lower his center of gravity and allow him to anchor better against bull-rushes.
His other issue, no one is talking about; but I’ve played some C, so it jumps off the screen for me. He’s late to raise his non-snapping hand. It allows defenders to quickly get deep into his frame. Many of his reps in pass protection seem to have him on his heels, and that late off-hand is largely why that happens. If I saw it that fast, Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland will too.
Round 6: QB Kyle McCord (6’3, 218) – Practice Squad perhaps? He’s a competitor, but there is no real spot for him on the active roster, since the Eagles usually only dress two at this position.
Round 6: OT Myles Hinton (6’7, 323) – A developmental project, and I do mean “mental”. His play betrays a certain lack of aggression. If that could be uncorked, he could have a career.
Round 6: OT Cameron Williams (6’6, 317) – Played RT in college, which is an immediate red flag, unless the QB is a lefty. Looked sluggish at the snap in college. That won’t work in the NFL.
Round 6: OLB Antwaun Powell-Ryland (6’3, 258) – Wide Nine technique type.. Those words may bring back memories of former Eagles DE Trent Cole, but Cole gave up too many easy rushing yards for my taste. Powell-Ryland was very productive in college, so his expectations for himself would be based on his actual ability to produce when it counts.
This was a solid draft. Nothing flashy, just re-stocking the shelves. Other people think it was great. I however, don’t think that we definitively addressed our lack of players at DE. We drafted an off-ball LB, who can be used as a pass rusher, a DT who can play the edge, and waited until round six, to finally bring in a guy who majored in DE in college.


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