Eagles' Draft Dilemma Unveiled

When it comes to spotting football talent, few have the insight of Mike Mayock. The former NFL Network analyst and current national NFL voice at Westwood One recently divulged his thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles' strategy for the 2025 NFL Draft, especially with their coveted No. 32 overall pick on the line.

Addressing Key Needs

The Eagles find themselves with several pressing needs. The defensive line, edge rushers, cornerbacks, safeties, and potentially even tight ends are on their radar. With the uncertainty surrounding Dallas Goedert's future—speculation suggests he could even be traded on draft night—Grant Calcaterra is poised to step up as the starting tight end after his 14 starts last season. Furthermore, after the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown will secure the safety positions.

Who Are the Candidates?

Can Jalyx Hunt fill Josh Sweat's role at edge rusher? Will Moro Ojomo, who had promising moments in 2024, fill the gap left by departing free agent Milton Williams? Mayock mentions the intriguing potential of Kelee Ringo stepping into the shoes of cornerback Darius Slay, while Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean stabilize the secondary.

A Treasure Trove of Draft Picks

With 20 picks across the next two years—eight this year alone—Eagles GM Howie Roseman has a wealth of options at his disposal. Mayock believes Roseman might leverage this draft capital to trade up if the right talent becomes available.

“Howie’s got the flexibility,” Mayock notes, highlighting the loss of four defensive starters and a significant offensive player in right guard Mekhi Becton. His keen eye for talent could guide them as they aim for a standout cornerback at pick 32.

Top Prospects to Watch

Mayock warns that top-tier cornerbacks like Travis Hunter from Colorado and Jahdae Barron from Texas are likely to be off the board by the time the Eagles draft. Instead, he suggests looking at players like Max Hairston from Kentucky and Trey Amos from Ole Miss, who could still be available.

Bolstering the Lineup

Additionally, the Eagles might consider bolstering their edge rushers, with names like Mykel Williams from Georgia and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M trending as possibilities. Given their current roster's needs, Mayock insists they could benefit from a physically imposing talent.

Eyes on the Safety Position

If Philadelphia opts for a safety, Georgia's Malaki Starks is Mayock's top choice—though he admits Starks might not drop to 32. Pairing him with Cooper DeJean could create a formidable defensive duo.

Mayock suggests that while the defensive tackle class is deep, players like Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon could provide immense value if they fall into the Eagles' reach.

Looking Beyond Defense

Yet, it’s not all about defense. Should the Eagles find themselves at a loss with defensive prospects, players like Gray Zabel from North Dakota State and Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State are intriguing offensive options. Tight end Mason Taylor from LSU, who made headlines after his clutch reception against Alabama, might just be the wildcard they need, with a strong chance of being available at pick 32.

As the Eagles prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes will be on how they navigate this opportunity to solidify their roster's future.