2023 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles 7-round mock
Philadelphia Eagles fans enjoyed a brilliant 2022 season, although their campaign did end with a painful Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Nick Sirianni’s excellent scheme combined with a strong roster has left Philly in a great position heading into 2023.
Defeat in the biggest game of all is never a good starting point for pre-season preparation. You have all the downsides of playing the longest season with none of the glory. As such, draft preparations will be high on the Eagles’ priority list.
The 2023 NFL draft will be an important event for the Philadelphia Eagles as they have two first-round selections at the moment. Their biggest position of need comes on the defensive line, with defensive tackles being on the agenda, although hopes remain high for Jordan Davis, taken in 2022.
There is also going to be a need to draft both a safety and an offensive guard who can provide depth at the two positions.
Philadelphia Eagles draft preview
The Philadelphia Eagles will officially be on the clock at pick no.10 on the opening night of the 2023 NFL draft. Their second selection will come at the back of the round at #31.
With the Miami Dolphins’ punishment taken into account, this pick will actually be the 30th selection completed on the opening night.
Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock draft model will not consider any trades that are yet to take place.
Philly will be looking to utilize their high pick to add starting quality to their roster. It’s rare that a team can reach the Super Bowl and then have their shot at one of the blue-chip talents in the subsequent draft. The Eagles can’t afford to miss here.
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In total, the franchise has six picks in the 2023 NFL draft, but their previous deals have left them without a single selection in rounds four through six.
There is a degree of irony that the team played so well in 2022, but are heading into the draft with very similar needs to last year. In 2022, they selected DT Jordan Davis in Round 1 and Cam Jurgens on the O-Line.
Significant Philadelphia Eagles 2023 free agency signings
· Re-signed CB Darius Slay
· QB Marcus Mariota
· RB Rashaad Penny
· S Terrell Edmunds
· LB Nicholas Morrow
· CB Greedy Williams
· Re-signed DT Fletcher Cox
· Re-signed CB James Bradberry
· Re-signed C Jason Kelce
· Re-signed DE Brandon Graham
Significant Philadelphia Eagles 2023 free agency losses
· DT Javon Hargrave
· OT Andre Dillard
· LB T.J. Edwards
· LB Kyzir White
· RB Miles Sanders
Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock draft for the Philadelphia Eagles
10. OLB Nolan Smith, Georgia
30. CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
62. S Antonio Johnson, Texas
94. G Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
219. TE Brenton Strange, Penn State
248. DT Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky
It is very much a defense-focused draft for the Philadelphia Eagles. Sportskeeda’s official mock 1.0 has the NFC Champions taking Nolan Smith and Cam Smith with their first-round selections.
Philly will return to Georgia to pluck another defensive talent from the Bulldogs, with Nolan Smith being a pro-ready linebacker. Nakobe Dean is progressing well after being drafted injured in 2022, but Smith is a player who can help the team immediately.
The Eagles’ defense was unplayable at times in 2022, with Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick able to get to the quarterback on a regular basis. With teams looking to replicate the steal the Dallas Cowboys got with Micah Parsons, physical linebackers who can rush the QB are surging in value. Smith is a beneficiary of that trend.
Despite pushing hard for Slay’s contract extension in free agency, there is an acceptance that he can’t go on forever. The Philadelphia Eagles are in a fortunate position where they can draft for the future.
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Cam Smith at cornerback is a perfect example of that at pick no.30. With a lot of playmakers in the backfield likely to be gone by this point, the South Carolina starter would fit right in. He isn’t as long a CB as you might like, but he is physical, almost like a free safety. Don’t be surprised if he switches roles to safety in the coming years either.
Antonio Johnson is a standout safety in the 2023 class. Coming out of an excellent Texas A&M program, he has a very high ceiling in the NFL.
The Eagles have a need for youth in the secondary and will take him with their second-round pick. Having lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson, they need a playmaker at safety. Johnson is brilliant at reading offenses, but does lack interception numbers in college.
Jarrett Patterson is a player with rising stock ahead of the draft. He is versatile and can play as either a guard or center. This is invaluable as Jason Kelce only has one year left.
After a huge break, the Eagles finally return to the podium in Round 7 with two selections. Brenton Strange will be drafted to work as a dynamic second TE to pair with Dallas Goedert, whilst Brodric Martin is a physically powerful DT who can be developed as a backup.