Tyrone Johnson Eagles Mock Draft 2.0- Eagles Trade Up For A Cornerback

The brunt of free agency has passed by. There are still free agents out there, and the Eagles have a lot of cap space left. But the big moves, like Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff, have been made. Most of the top guys are already off the board. The Eagles' next best chance to improve their roster will come at the end of April in the draft. So for the 2nd team this off-season, Tyrone Johnson has taken his best shot at trying predict what the Eagles, and other teams, will do in his Eagles Mock Draft 2.0.

In Tyrone's first mock draft, he had the Eagles finally break a two-decade-long trend by drafting a corner. Kool-Aid McKinstry. Does he still have them going corner? Or have the Eagles' moves in free agency changed what he thinks they will do?

Cornerback seems like the biggest need. It is also a great year to need a corner with over half a dozen projected to go in round 1. But we are talking about Howie Roseman. We know his usual style. Since 2010 when he first took over 10 of their 14 1st round picks have been a lineman. 3 Offensive Lineman, and 7 on the D-Line.

One of those non-linemen, Nelson Agholor, was when Howie was exiled to the broom closet. So in reality, 10 of the 13 picks he had a say in played. The other 3 are Carson Wentz, Jalen Reagor, and Devonta Smith.

To say there is a trend, would be an understatement. But does Tyrone have Howie living up to that trend? Or will it be broken for once? Find out who Tyrone has the Eagles taking in his Mock draft 2.0 below.

Williams, the former Heisman Trophy winner, is a generational talent despite some struggles in 2023. He was put in a terrible spot at USC by a nonexistent defense. He still managed 30 passing TDs to just 5 interceptions. The Bears have added talent to their roster and traded Justin Fields, so this pick is already done.  

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner had an incredible year passing for over 3800 yards and rushing for over 1,000. Nobody raised their stock more during the Covid year than him. Daniels seems to have passed Drake Maye in the eyes of Washington due to his elite athleticism and ball placement. It is said to be the best in the draft.

Maye was very productive at North Carolina over his two years as a starter throwing for just under 8,000 yards and 62 touchdowns. The Patriots have moved on from Mac Jones. They badly need a QB. There are rumors the Vikings are looking to move up after finally letting Kirk Cousins leave for Atlanta.

Local product Harrison Jr is the best overall player in the draft. He has everything you want in a wide receiver. 2024 is a deep wideout draft and he is head and shoulders better than every one of them. Barring injury, he is the safest pick in the draft, with his floor being a perennial 1,000-yard guy.  

Originally it appeared that the Chargers would look for offensive line help, but with Mike Williams being released to go with Austin Ekeler leaving, Nabers becomes the pick. He had over 1500 yards in 2023 with 14 total touchdowns. Justin Herbert has had a historic start to his career, & new coach Jim Harbaugh gets him a new weapon. The Chargers are in the mix to trade down as well.

In many seasons, Odunze would be the top WR in the draft. He followed up his 1100+ yard season is 2022 with a 1640-yard season in 2023. This year he’s 3rd, but that isn’t an indictment of his ability. Odunze should be lethal in the red zone because he is tall at 6’3”, and high-points the ball well.

There are 4 different candidates to be the 1st offensive tackle taken in this year’s draft. Alt seems to have separated from the pack though. Alt moves very well & is towering at 6’8”. Alt also allowed just 4 sacks in 36 starts while in college.

This is not a great year for pass rushers, but the Falcons would be delighted if the best one fell to them at number 8. Turner has the build of the modern pass rusher with the frame to add more muscle. He had a career-high 10 sacks at Alabama this year. He is just 21 years old with a ton of upside.

Bowers has the potential to truly be a weapon in the NFL. He is likely the 3rd cleanest prospect in the draft behind Marvin Harrison Jr, and Caleb Williams, with the only knock being the games he missed in 2023. He is a two-time Mackey Award winner as the best tight end in the country. Bowers knows how to find the end zone with 31 touchdowns in his 3 years in Georgia. Caleb Williams gets a security blanket from day 1.

Fashanu is another candidate to be the 1st offensive tackle taken in the draft. The junior was just Rimington–Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023. He will improve as a pro as his technique improves. Will also put more strength on his 6’6” 317 lb. frame.

After the early run-on quarterbacks early in the draft, McCarthy is the 4th one taken in the 1st round. Scouts have had trouble projecting him because he was not asked to win games at Michigan, but they love his intangibles. McCarthy will have a great duo at WR right away in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings may need to trade up to get him.

Officially releasing Russell Wilson, and taking a $35.4 million cap hit, followed by a $49.6 million cap hit means getting a QB on a rookie deal. Nix’s game really took off once he got to Eugene after starting for 3 years at Auburn. Nix completed over 77% of his passes last year. He topped off at a 61% at Auburn. His TD-to-interception ratio was a whopping 45 to 3 last year.

Latham is the 3rd tackle on the board and gave up 0 sacks in 3 years at Alabama. He is massive at 360 lbs but carries the weight well. The Raiders have addressed QB and DT in free agency, so now offensive line makes the most sense. He should step right in and start for the Raiders.

Fautanu was excellent at Washington as their explosive offense landed them in the national title game. He has very good technique and moves very well. The only real negative is he is “only” 6’4” and that would cause some teams to want to move him to guard. I think the Saints keep him at tackle.

It feels weird to have a player as productive as Verse fall to this spot. He transferred to Florida State after starting his college career at Albany (he won CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year). Verse had 9 sacks each of the last 2 years and could have added more if Jordan Travis didn’t get injured. That injury cost Verse and the Seminoles a chance at the playoffs.

This is a guy that the Eagles spent a lot of time with at the Senior Bowl, where he was the best corner. He could be a trade-up candidate for the Birds. It was thought he would be available at 22, but he is a fast riser on most boards, hence why the Eagles made the move. Mitchell played off coverage a lot at Toledo but showed strong press skills at the Senior Bowl.

This pick is the one I have the least confidence in because Robinson ran a sub 4.5 40 at the combine. He could go higher. His production does come close to his skillset though. Robinson had just 11.5 sacks in his college career. The lack of production is concerning, but the tools are there to be a special player. 

The Bengals must do a better job of protecting Joe Burrow who had an injury-riddled season in 2023. Guyton is a very good pass blocker that was only held back at Oklahoma by injuries after transferring from TCU. While Guyton needs works in the run game, the Bengals are built to pass and he would start in day 1.

Murphy II is the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. He was productive at Texas and was a part of the recruiting class that brought them back to the CFB playoff. A 3-year starter with a high motor, the only negative about him as a prospect is that is he only 297 lbs. Murphy will have huge shoes to fill in LA.  

Powers-Johnson is the best interior lineman in the country and was part of the Ducks’ dominant front. The Steelers feel like a great fit here, with the question being who he will be snapping the ball to in 2024. He should be versatile enough to kick out to guard as well.

Wiggins is tall at 6’2”, and the biggest risk-taking corner in the draft. He was 1st team All ACC both of the last two seasons. He would strive early in a man scheme, with work to be done in zone coverage. The biggest knock-on Wiggins is his size. He weighed only 173 lbs at the combine on 6’2”.

Arnold and his teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry were both excellent on the Alabama team that made the playoff and ended Georgia’s long undefeated streak. He was a 5-star prospect who lived up to the hype. He had 5 interceptions last season and should be a day 1 starter.

DeJean is coming off a broken leg, and that could keep him from climbing in the draft. Dejean can start at outside corner, slot corner, and safety. While the Iowa offense has been abysmal, they have won because of a defense that is usually full of pros. When healthy he is a very good player.

Tyron Smith is now with the Jets, so tackle is a big need. Mims did not start much at Georgia but is 6’7” with a 7’1” wingspan with speed and power. The right team and the right situation could bring out a diamond. Dallas would be the perfect spot for him. Watch for a QB here too if Bo Nix charms Jerry Jones enough.

There are at least three 1st round worthy WR’s left on the board, but the Packers build through the trenches, and Fuaga projects to be a starter. The Packers were the youngest team in the NFL last season and won a playoff game. This pick would sure up one of their few holes.

Barton is the 2nd “center” to be drafted in the 1st round. Ryan Jensen has retired, and Barton should be poised to replace him. The Bucs paid Mike Evans, and Baker Mayfield, so the trenches are the play here. Barton should start from day 1.  

Many Eagles fans took Latu off the board here because he aspires to be a firefighter. The thing to watch with him is the medical report. He retired from the sport due to a neck injury but returned to be dominant at UCLA. He has 13.5 sacks in 2023 & some say his pass-rush skills are the best in the draft. Without the medical issues, he would go higher, the Cardinals will be very happy to have him.

The other LSU WR comes off the board here to add a younger element to the Bills. Thomas is very tall at 6’5” and had 17 touchdowns last season to go with over 1100-yards. The Bills have not gotten over the hump and lost some weapons to free agency. Thomas should be good in cold weather.  

Jared Goff is fine, but he has a ceiling and is entering the final year of his contract. The only weakness in Penix Jr’s game is injuries. He is an elite deep-ball passer and does great things within the pocket. He is experienced but wouldn’t be asked to play right away. Penix Jr would enhance and extend their window.

The Ravens were as close to breaking through as they’ve been during the Lamar Jackson era but came up just short. Tampa is good in press man but also does well in zone coverage. He is physical which fits the Ravens scheme as well and has good size. The combine will be big for him.

Trent Williams will be 36 this summer,. While he is still playing at a high level, it makes sense for the defending NFC champs to get reinforcements in the trenches. The rest of the line wasn’t stellar in 2023. Rosengarten would be an upgrade at RT over Colton McKivitz and could move to the left side when Williams is done. Washington’s offensive line was excellent in 2023, and now both tackles go in the 1sr round.

The Chiefs managed to repeat as Super Bowl champs despite a major deficiency at the wide receiver position. Worthy cut his drops in half last year, which is big because the Chiefs led the NFL in drops. Pending free agency, he would be their best outside guy.