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Eagles Nation 7-Round Mock Draft – 3.0

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Apr 9, 2020
The NFL draft is now two weeks away. That’s right, exactly FOURTEEN DAYS!
With time quickly ticking away, general managers and all draft personnel are going through the tape one more time and are handing out final grades on prospects at this point.

Thus the PHLEaglesNation team has generated our “final” mock draft of this draft season. In this edition, you see the Birds double-dipping at wide receiver early.

While continuing to stock-pile on the “do-it-all” players in the secondary. We also address the losses of Jordan Howard and Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and much more.

As always, using the draft simulator from our friends at The Draft Network, let’s see what moves Philadelphia made to improve the roster.

Round 1/Pick 21: Justin Jefferson, WR // LSU

Info

  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 202
  • Arms: 33″
  • Hands: 9 1/8″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.43
  • Bench Press: —
  • Vert. Jump: 37.5″
  • Broad Jump: 126.0″

Scouting Report

Despite not being a highly touted recruit coming out of Destrehan High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jefferson, without a doubt, made the most out his time being a Tiger. After his emergence as a sophomore, in a year that saw him lead the team in receptions (54), yards (875), and touchdowns (6). Jefferson just about doubled his production in every category as a junior, finishing the year with 111 receptions, 1,540 yards, and 18 touchdowns. This was aided by the Tigers offense throwing their way out of the Stone Age via Joe Brady.

Jefferson operated from the slot for a vast majority of the time last season at LSU. Based on the numbers, Jefferson took 1,003 snaps from slot alignment last year compared to the 558 snaps he took out wide. Jefferson has always been a quality route runner, capable of creating separation with ease. He slows up and uses a crossover-like release at the top of his routes, which makes defenders hesitant to commit to a direction. The questions surrounding him aren’t much about the route running abilities but how well he will handle the lack of spacing being aligned outside the numbers.

Jefferson has some of the best hands in this class. A lot of Jefferson’s game is based on technique, he emphasizes timing between the throw and when to show his hands for the catch to give defenders limited time to adjust. Jefferson also has a great feel for how and when to adjust his body to make incredible receptions. Jefferson had to learn to become a better timing-based route runner on top of his abilities to separate. While creating the separation isn’t the problem as Jefferson is superb at this aspect, in the NFL a lot of the time, the quarterback expects you to be in a certain place at a certain time.

Round 2/Pick 53: Brandon Aiyuk, WR // Arizona State

Info

  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight: 205
  • Arm: 33 1/2″
  • Hand: 9 3/4″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.50
  • Bench Press: 11
  • Vert. Jump: 40.0″
  • Broad Jump: 128.0″

Scouting Report

A young man from Reno, Nevada who attended Robert McQueen High School and made a name for himself as a two-way stud player. Despite Aiyuk’s high school success, he was generally under-recruited, which led to him attending Sierra College for two years. During his time at Sierra College Aiyuk posted 2,499 All-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns. By season’s end, Aiyuk had become a member of the First-Team California Community College Football Coaches Association All-American and ranked as the number 11 JUCO wide receiver, according to ESPN. Aiyuk soon transferred to Arizona State, but opportunities were bleak behind N’Keal Harry.

As a junior Aiyuk only started three games but was able to garner 33 receptions, 474 yards, and three touchdowns. The following season, however, Aiyuk got his opportunity in Tempe, and he made the most of it. As a senior, Aiyuk started in 12 games where he posted 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns on 65 receptions. He also made an impact in the return game returning 28 kicks (14 punts–14 kickoffs), resulting in 672 yards (226 punts– 446 kickoffs), and scored a touchdown on a punt return.

Aiyuk will wreak havoc against off-man coverage, his false steps terrorize opposing cornerback. However, Aiyuk becomes much easier to defend when in press coverage. He needs to add an element of physicality to his game. An open field monster! Aiyuk is amongst the best in the nation in terms of creating yards after catch opportunities. This is shown in his work in the return game (see USC tape), or in the short/intermediate passing game, Aiyuk changes games. Could become a more competitive player at the catch point. It doesn’t like when defenders impede his catch radius. Aiyuk is comfortable on the outside and in the slot. While scouts are sure to fall in love with his 81″ wingspan.

Round 3/Pick 103: K’Von Wallace, S // Clemson

Info

  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 206
  • Arms: 31.0″
  • Hands: 9 1/8″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.53
  • Bench Press: 18
  • Vert. Jump: 38.0″
  • Broad Jump: 133.0″

Scouting Report

“There was like a 0.9%, and I beat the odds,” said Wallace during an interview prior to Clemson’s ACC Championship game against Virginia.

As a young man that grew up in the Creighton Court public housing community in Richmond, Virginia, Wallace understood what was going on around him and made a decision he wanted something better.

“I lost a couple friends to gun violence. I lost a couple friends to the system and them being stuck in jail for life, for years. It’s sad to say, but it’s the norm..”

Sports was his outlet. In high school, Wallace competed in basketball, track, and most-notably football. As a senior for the Highland Springs High School football team, Wallace was named to the first team All-Virginia team on offense and defense.

Wallace arrived at Clemson as a freshman, where he saw reserved action in all 15 games, producing six tackles and one interception. Wallace then started 14 games as a sophomore, where he racked up 36 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups. In Wallace’s junior year, Clemson was en route to a National Championship season, which saw Wallace become an important factor in the defense.

With 55 tackles, an interception, seven pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, Wallace was able to earn an honorable mention spot on the All-ACC team. Then in is the final season in Death Valley, Wallace was selected as a member of the third team All-ACC team after Wallace finished this final season of his collegiate career with 78 tackles, two sacks, ten pass breakups (tied for team lead), and two interceptions.

I’m not sure if Clemson’s defense actually assigned positions to players or if they just give them jobs from week to week. While we’ve all heard of Isaiah Simmons, K’Von Wallace is known as the Great Value, Isaiah Simmons. He does a lot of similar things but will come significantly cheaper than Simmons. Still, Wallace best trait is his versatility. He has shown an ability to operate from the nickel or as the deep half safety, while Clemson even deployed him as an extra blitzer.

Wallace will see his most common success as a sub-package player in the NFL, but his understanding of shallow zone coverages, as well as his aggressiveness, will make it hard not to put him on the field. A scrappy player, willing to get involved with anyone, however, due to his smaller frame, bigger wide receivers tend to bully him. Will make an impact on special teams while waiting for his opportunity.

Round 4/Pick 127: A.J. Dillon, RB // Boston College

Info

  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight: 247
  • Arms: 31 5/8″
  • Hands: 9 5/8″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.53
  • Bench Press: 23
  • Vert. Jump: 41.0″
  • Broad Jump: 131.0″

Scouting Report

Most people have a backup plan, not A.J. Dillon. Football was his plan! As a 14-year-old young man, Dillon made a decision to leave his mom, his family, and his hometown of New London, Connecticut, to pursue his football dreams.

When asked about his decision, Dillon said, “It was hard to leave New London, I thought about it after eight grade after Bennie Dover. It wasn’t out of spite. I really, really wanted to play against the best competition.”

So a move to Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts, was in store for the young man. Despite an injury cutting his freshman year short, Dillon was able to bounce back well. He molded himself into a four-star recruit and had scholarships from many of the top Division I programs.

After initially committing to Michigan, Dillon soon reneged opting to stay closer to home, attending Boston College. Dillon finished his freshman year in Chestnut Hill with 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns, including his 274-yard/four-touchdown performance against Louisville. This was good enough to earn Dillon the ACC Rookie of the Year, as well as a Freshman All-American spot. As a sophomore, Dillon played in ten games as a high ankle sprain suffered against Temple kept him out the next week against NC State. Still, in Dillon’s ten starts, he produced 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. Dillon’s junior campaign saw him return to his dominant form racking up a third straight 1,000-yard season (1, 685), along with 14 more touchdowns.

Dillon is a legitimate workhorse. I’ll let you decide if that’s good or bad. His feat of three straight thousand-yard seasons is impressive, but I most note that Dillon has had 845 rushing attempts in three seasons, two of which he carried the ball over 300 times. One player cannot tackle him, but then again, I’m not sure two will either. You have to gang tackle this young man. Albeit people this size isn’t supposed to move this fast.

Imagine a 6’0, almost 250-pound man running at you, but you have forty yards to prepare. Ample time right? Not exactly, as Dillon clocked in at 4.53 seconds at the combine.

Good vision, a patient back that allows things to develop. I would like to see him identify assignments quicker in pass pro, but when he seems to get the job done. It doesn’t provide much to look forward to in the passing game.

Round 4/Pick 145: Alton Robinson, EDGE // Syracuse

Info

  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 264
  • Arm: 32 3/8″
  • Hands: 9 1/4″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.69
  • Bench Press: 25
  • Vert. Jump: 35.5″
  • Broad Jump: 119.0″

Scouting Report

After ranking fairly high coming out of Judson High School in Texas and committing to Texas A&M. Robinson was accused of a second-degree robbery charge stemming from a disagreement with an ex-girlfriend over a cell phone. This caused Texas A&M to release him from his letter of intent. A brief stay in JUCO at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, saw Robinson finish third in the NJCAA in sacks (14), becoming the leader of a defensive line unit that sent five members to Division I schools the following year.

This eventually led to Robinson joining the Syracuse Orange in 2017. Robinson is among the best prospects in the country, in terms of using the speed rush to create pressure. Robinson’s first step has the inept ability to initially put tackles in a tough position. The swipe and dip and the bull rush are his go-to moves but have the tendency to overuse them.

Robinson has to develop a few secondary moves to keep tackles guessing, which should allow him to become a more consistent pass rusher.

Robinson can be a bit stiff when coming around the edge, needs to show more bend.

With Brandon Graham soon to be 33 years old. Derek Barnett entering year four on his rookie contract *team still has player option available*, and the lack of production from Shareef Miller, Daeshon Hall, and Josh Sweat. You have to expect the Philadelphia Eagles to address the edge position sooner rather than later. Robinson has the ability to be a diamond in the rough in the fourth round.

Round 4/Pick 146: Harrison Hand, CB // Temple

Info

  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 197
  • Arm: 31 3/4″
  • Hands: 9 1/8″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.52
  • Bench Press: 14
  • Vert. Jump: 41.0″
  • Broad Jump: 133.0″

Scouting Report

Harrison Hand, a two-way athlete and a product of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was among those in the first recruiting class of Matt Rhule’s Baylor team. Hand earned a spot on the All-Big 12 team as a freshman, after injuries forced him into the spotlight. After posting 42 tackles, an interception, and leading the team with pass breakups (8), Hand was expected to play a prominent role on the Baylor Bears defense for years to come. That was until injuries, and an undisclosed family issue prompted Hand to transfer to Temple to be closer to home.

Despite the move to Temple, it didn’t take long for Hand to continue to thrive. He posted 59 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass breakups as the Owls number one cornerback in his only season at Temple. Burst is much better when Hand is allowed to gain acceleration versus the short-area explosiveness. Hand is a really physical player who isn’t afraid to get involved in run support; he definitely won’t let you be lazy as a blocker.

Hand plays with a sense of confidence, especially when the ball is in the air. Hand has a natural football IQ and is best in zone coverage when he can get a feel for what’s going on around him. He is willing to hand fight (no pun intended), a lengthy player despite his 5’11 stature. Generally, because his arm length of 31 3/4″ allows him to play bigger than he really is.

Round 5/Pick 168: Anthony Gordon, QB // Washington State

Info

  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 205
  • Arm: 31″
  • Hand: 9 3/4″

Combine Results

*Did not participate in workout

  • 40 Yard Dash: —
  • Bench Press: —
  • Vert. Jump: —
  • Broad Jump: —

Scouting Report

It’s almost like Anthony Gordon was meant to throw a ball. Though until his freshman year of high school at Terra Nova, Gordon had never played organized football.

So what made the idea of playing quarterback so seamlessly? “I was a baseball player primarily growing up…”

As a pitcher and infielder during his time at Terra Nova, Gordon was selected by the New York Mets in the 36th round of the 2015 MLB draft. However, Gordon made the decision to play football despite the opportunity in baseball presented to him. “It was pretty late [in the draft], and it wasn’t very appealing, so I thought football was the better option.”

This led Gordon to City College of San Francisco, where he threw for 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns. Despite leading CCSF to a 12-1 record and the state community college title, Gordon didn’t receive interest from any Division I programs; that was until Washington State called. The move to a high profile university came at a cost though as Gordon was redshirted his sophomore season, and didn’t appear in any games as an RS-sophomore the next season.

Gordon thought his opportunity was sure to come the next year as an RS-junior. However, the arrival of Gardner Minshew put that on pause after he lost the quarterback battle. However, as a RS-senior, Gordon earned second-team All-PAC-12 honors after producing 5,579 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 13 games.

Gordon shows good anticipation, he identifies the nearest hole in the zones and shows ideal accuracy on spot throws. It must be a Washington State thing; just like Minshew prior to him, Gordon is a gunslinger. He isn’t afraid to thread the needle; with that being said, his decision making can tend to be a bit reckless. Does a better job going through progressions than most Air Raid quarterbacks, still something that can be improved on.

Footwork can be sloppy as Gordon is not your traditional 3-5 step drop quarterback. A quarterback only starting 13 games is usually worrisome, but in a player like Gordon’s case, since you’re not expecting him to compete for a starting job, you can develop him for as long as you’d like.

Round 6/Pick 190: Yasir Durant, OT // Missouri

Info

  • Height: 6’6
  • Weight: 331
  • Arm: 34 3/4″
  • Hands: 9 1/2″

Combine Results

  • 40 Yard Dash: 5.52
  • Bench Press: 21
  • Vert. Jump: 25.0″
  • Broad Jump: —

Scouting Report

A product from right here in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yasir Durant attended the public charter school Imhotep Institute where he was a Pennsylvania Football Writers’ all-state Class AAA honoree, and the 35th ranked prep player in Pennsylvania. Starting at Arizona Western Community College, Durant spent one year there prior to transferring to Missouri. Durant was the number three ranked offensive guard in the NJCAA. Despite being highly touted as a guard, upon his transfer to Missouri, the coaching staff moved him to left tackle.

As a junior, Durant started nine games and was the anchor of a Missouri offense that ranked eighth in the entire country. Then as a senior, Durant started every game and, according to PFF, finished as the team’s highest-rated offensive lineman (73.3 grade). The Eagles should be intrigued by Durant’s wing tackle background. With significant history at both guard and tackle, the Eagles could view Durant as a Halapoulivaati Vaitai replacement, with the veteran heading to Detroit.

Durant’s 82 3/4″ wingspan will create questions about which position is a better fit, but his versatility should have him on a lot of teams draft boards. For a person with his mammoth frame of 6’6/331 pounds, Durant’s feet move pretty well, has some good lower body strength. Inside moves give him trouble as a junior and continued to as a senior. Something he has to improve upon if he plans on making a positive impact at some point during his career. Durant isn’t currently viewed as a starter, but he provides a lot of decent traits for a coaching staff to work with. With the right coaching could turn into a serviceable swing tackle.

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