Eagles

This Mock Draft has Howie Roseman Taking Three SEC Dudes in a Row

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 16th, 2022 · 2:52 PM EST

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Todd McShay did his latest mock draft for ESPN.

He’s got the Eagles taking the following players:

15. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

The Eagles have a chance to get a whole lot better in a short period of time here; this is their first of three picks in the next five. Buckle up, Philly fans. Let’s get started with Dean, who is my No. 6 prospect. He does it all, from using his speed and sideline-to-sideline range to match with running backs in coverage, to blitzing through gaps and pressuring quarterbacks, to stopping the run and wrapping up ball carriers. His motor never stops, and his instincts make him a true game-breaker. The Eagles have taken just one linebacker in the first round over the past 40 years (Marcus Smith in 2014), but the middle of their defense covets someone like Dean.

16. Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

An NFL team has never taken college teammates with back-to-back picks, but the Eagles’ pass-rush was atrocious, and Walker is incredibly disruptive. Philadelphia’s 29 sacks were 31st in the NFL last season, Derek Barnett is a free agent, and Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are both north of 30 years old. Plus, Graham is returning from an Achilles injury. Walker, meanwhile, is a power-based edge rusher who keeps getting better. It’s time to stock the pass-rush cupboard a bit.

19. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

So no quarterback change via the draft. I think the Eagles stick with Jalen Hurts unless they find a way to make the massive deal for a big-name QB. But Hurts could use another target, even after Philadelphia drafted receivers in the first round in each of the past two drafts (Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith). The only team to take a first-round receiver in three straight drafts was the Lions in 2003-05, but consider that the Eagles were 25th in the league last season in pass-game yardage — and 30th when reduced to just wide receivers.

Burks has 6-foot-3 size, great hands and a wide catch radius. He’d be a mismatch in the slot for coach Nick Sirianni and has the ability to tack on extra yards after the catch with smooth acceleration upfield. Burks, Nakobe Dean and Travon Walker make for a great draft class.

If Howie Roseman stayed put, used two straight draft picks on SEC defensive players, then took another SEC player at #19, I’d be ecstatic. I’d do a backflip into flood waters on the Vine Street Expressway:

via Twitter (@heyrickyb)

But seriously – how many times have we yelled into the void for Howie to keep it simple and draft SEC players? Draft SEC players from good teams. Draft Alabama and Georgia guys. Draft dudes from LSU and Texas A&M. Roseman did this last April and brought in the Heisman Trophy winner and a year 1 starter on the offensive line.

Nakobe Dean is a very good player. 2021 Butkus Award winner, first team all-SEC, first team all-American. Smart linebacker who can cover a lot of ground. He is likely going to be a weak side OLB in the NFL and the only real question is about his size and how it translates to the pro game:

Hilarious seeing Nakobe Dean have a better click and close than the vast majority of college cornerbacks. Absolutely freaky closing speed for a linebacker. pic.twitter.com/AsDYbrnDIs

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 10, 2022

How about Travon Walker?

He’s 6’5″, 275, and a bruiser. Dane Brugler is the draft guy for The Athletic and loves him:

The great @dpbrugler has Georgia EDGE Travon Walker as his No. 6 player in the 2022 NFL Draft:https://t.co/5lU6bmpY8Y pic.twitter.com/qvuMC3ROkc

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 15, 2022

You may not have seen a lot of Treylon Burks at Arkansas last year, but the Razorbacks were a sneaky 9-4 and hung 35 points on Bama in a loss. Burks lined up at the X and in the slot and did a lot of different things schematically, but still logged 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s a 6’3″ guy and fits the “possession receiver” mold that the Eagles really need. They need a bigger bodied guy who can fight through contact, like this:

Treylon Burks thrives making plays through contact, whether while the ball is in the air or after the catch. Not a lot of 225-pound receivers out there burning the entire Bama D. Reminds me of AJ Brown. pic.twitter.com/PeCuEcvpAm

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 16, 2022

The thought of having to use another 1st round draft on a receiver feels a little funky, but nobody can deny that the Eagles really do need another pass catcher, be it in April or finding someone else in free agency.