Philadelphia Eagles

Dynasty Destinations: Derrick Henry

by

Dynasty Destinations: Derrick Henry

By John McGlynn

 

The Tennessee Titans are rumored to be shopping Derrick “King” Henry this off-season in what feels like a rebuilding move. That combined with other Titans players getting released/waived further shows this to be true. My focus in this article is King Henry, as I have a handful of destinations I see him fitting in quite nicely. Here are my top 5 destinations for the superstar running back.

 

 

Buffalo Bills

I start off with my #1 destination.. the Buffalo Bills. They should absolutely be on the phone kicking the wheels on the King Henry freight train while it's still in the station. Everyone knows that the Bills have one of the most powerful offenses in the league. Josh Allen has been playing hero ball since his slow start in year one and two. He's on fire now, but how long can that last? How long can Allen hang in the pocket and throw missiles to Diggs with defensive lineman and linebackers hanging all over him? How many times can he get his elbow yanked mid throw before his elbow injuries go from a weekly scare to a long term serious injury? What can the Bills do to fix this offense?

The answer to the question of how do we keep Josh Allen safe is just a phone call away for Bills General Manager Brandon Beane. That phone call should go as follows. “Ran, Brandon Beane here. I need to set up a play action offense to give Josh Allen time in the pocket and I need Derrick Henry in my backfield to do that?” And before you say anything about the salary cap and Derrick Henry’s $10mil and the Bills already negative cap number, just remember that the New Orleans Saints operate in the negative every off-season it seems. Heck.. they aren't even close to the powerhouse team that the Bills are. We all know the salary cap is a fake number that a savvy numbers guy can magically make work with a ballpoint pen.

 

 

Now imagine if the Bills do find a way to get the King, his 300 attempts, his 1500+ yards, his 15+ touchdowns, and his long speed. Not to mention the peace of mind it will give Josh Allen in the pocket. Now imagine they are ables to draft Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Quenton Johnston at pick 27. After that they complete their draft with a handful of offensive linemen. The Bills offensive depth chart just became more unstoppable than it seemingly was before. 

The Bills always seem to be rumored to be the market for a game changing running back. This is their chance in a Super Bowl-or-Bust type of move. I cannot think of a better way to improve this offense than to add the King of moving the football and then opting to just plug the need at wide receiver in the draft. The Bills can't be scared to go for broke as losing to the Bengals and the Chiefs in the playoffs is getting old. Bills Mafia would be jumping for joy if this were made into a reality. Heck.. I might join the Bills Mafia myself if King Henry is wearing a Buffalo jersey next season. 

 

 

Miami Dolphins

Miami is another team that could really use a running back like Henry. This is a powerful offense that funnels through Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle. Keeping Tua upright is obviously the priority of the Dolphins and stuffing three hundred plugs carried down the opponents interior defense would definitly achieve that goal. They have the money/cap space, and Henry can certainly help control the clock when Miami needs it most.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Moving on from Miles Sanders is something we can see the Eagles doing. Sanders did just fine behind one of the leagues best offensive lines however, he is no Derrick Henry. Sanders averaged about 30 receptions over the last four seasons, and even though Henry is not known to be a PPR machine, he has shown soft hands when he has been targeted. In this high-powered offense, and with a young and very mobile Jalen Hurts, keeping Henry bottled up in the backfield would be almost impossible. 

 

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon is rumored to be a cut candidate in Cincinnati. He did regress somewhat last season, but being part of this finely tuned, well oiled machine, there was no excuse why Mixon failed to gain a thousand yards. He had one historic game last year that accounted for a huge chunk of his stats. Samaje Perine could have a chance to prove himself if the Bengals move on from Mixon, but having a raging bull in the backfield all revved up and ready to go would be a welcome site for every Bengals fanatic.

 

Denver Broncos

The Broncos had some high hopes for Javonte Williams last season, but he suffered a terrible injury that tore multiple ligaments in his knee. As we saw with JK Dobbins, this injury might take time to heal. A new ground and pound offense, under new Coach Sean Payton could be the buffer the Broncos need until Javonte is ready to return. Russell Wilson is use to playing with a workhorse back like Marshawn Lynch, and having the pressure lifted off Wilson as the centerpiece of the offense might right the ship for the whole franchise. Let Russ cook and let Broncos Country ride on the back of King Henry.       

 

Three’s Company? 

by

Three's Company? 

By Joe Goodwin

At this point in the fantasy football cycle, you are probably being overloaded with the amount of information that is available to you.  One article claims a player is a “league winner,” while another puts that same players on the “Do Not Draft” list.

Needless to say, conflicting information can be troublesome for most fantasy managers.

A fantasy point that always gives me pause is the idea that an offense can have multiple high-end fantasy producers all on the same field.

I looked into that very premise to determine if that is true or not.

Last year, I found 2 examples of a fantasy explosion (3 receivers in the top 36 and a RB in the top 24) from one team:

Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase (WR5, 305 pts), Tee Higgins (WR24, 219 pts), Tyler Boyd (WR31, 183 pts) and Joe Mixon (RB4, 288 pts).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans (WR9, 262 pts), Chris Godwin (WR15, 242 pts), Rob Gronkowski (TE7, 171 pts) and Leonard Fournette (RB6, 343 pts).

I should also mention that the Pittsburgh Steelers were very close to qualifying for this study:

Diontae Johnson (WR8, 274 pts), Chase Claypool (WR37), Pat Friermuth (TE13) and Najee Harris (RB3, 300 points).

So, with these examples, can we predict whether these teams can produce in that same manner:

Las Vegas: DaVante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs

Pittsburgh: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Chase Claypool, Pat Friermuth, Najee Harris

Philadelphia: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders

Buffalo: Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Dawson Know, Devin Singletary

Denver: Jerry Jeudy, Cortland Sutton, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Javonte Williams

Minnesota: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Irv Smith, Dalvin Cook

Cincinnati: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon

With the 2 teams that accomplished that feat last year, both were led by top tier quarterbacks Tom Brady (QB3) and Joe Burrow (QB8) with offenses that finished 2nd and 7th respectively in total points and 1st and 7th in passing yards.  And, each team had a run game that was overall in the bottom 10 of the league (Tampa Bay was 25th and Cincinnati was 22nd)

So, with all that being said, what key elements are we looking for in order for a team to support 3 top 36 receivers?

Key Point 1: A team with the requisite 3 receivers to achieve Top 36 WR or Top 12 TE

Key Point 2: Top Tier QB 

Key Point 3: Overall Offenses that finish in the top ten in total points and passing yards

Key Point 4: Run Offense is bottom 10 of the league

As we analyze each team and how they relate to each key point, let’s see where we stand:

Oakland: Point 1, Point 3, Point 4 

{I’m sure some would argue that Carr is a top tier qb, but are you drafting him in your top 8 qb’s?}

Pittsburgh: Point 1, Point 4

{Pitt has the weakest qb and middle of the pack offense}

Philadelphia: Point 1, Point 3, Point 4 

{Jalen Hurts will have to prove he can be top tier first}

Buffalo: Point 1, Point 2, Point 3

{Run game is strong on Buffalo}

Denver: Point 1, Point 2

{Hard to project with the massive upgrade in QB in the offseason on where the offense will finish; Seattle was middle tier in offense stats}

Minnesota: Point 1

{This is not a dart at Cousins, more like a “wait and see” approach with the new offense}

Cincinnati: Point 1, 2, 3, 4

{Let’s hope the improved offensive line helps continue to the trend}

Based on this data, the four teams most likely to support 3 top 36 receivers are: Cincinnati, Oakland, Philadelphia and Buffalo.  

So, if you try to convince yourself to draft Jeudy from Denver or Claypool from Pittsburgh later in your draft in the hopes they can pay off….chances are more likely they will not.

And, if you want to wait a few rounds and grab a receiver like DeVonta Smith and Tyler Boyd after the 7th round, chances are good they may hit as a top 36 receiver.

Remember the numbers don’t lie!!  Only 2 NFL teams supported multiple fantasy starters in one lineup last year and most likely, that trend will continue again this year.

 

As always, “Come and knock on my door” if you need any fantasy help @JGoody77 on Twitter

 

Dynasty Dilemma: Jalen Hurts

by

Dynasty Dilemma: Jalen Hurts

By Steve Uetz

Seeking out the Konami Code is a game-winning recipe but when will it be game over?

Welcome to the Jalen Hurts Dynasty Dilemma!

In the video game world, the Konami Code is a well-known series of button combinations that when pressed correctly will bring the player certain cheat codes to help them succeed in their game of choice. In the fantasy football world, a popular moniker involving the Konami Code idea applies to certain quarterbacks who separate themselves apart due to their rushing ability. It is a cheat code because all the quarterbacks hold a standard floor of passing statistics but the mobile QBs hold higher ceiling potential due to their rushing ability. The next great Konami Code QB is Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. If you had the foresight to hedge on this being a possibility going into last season as I did, then you are sitting pretty in your dynasty leagues.

In the short term, Hurts is a phenomenal fantasy asset. However since dynasty is a unique balance of weighing short-term value with long-term value; will Hurts remain a strong option for the long haul? Before we dig into the 2022 season and expectations, let us first be reminded of how Jalen Hurts arrived at this moment in time.

Jalen Hurts’ career has been truly fascinating to this point. In college he was a dynamic QB for the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide: the physical traits were often on display, but decision-making was a noticeable flaw. A turning point in his college career was his benching in the National Championship game in which Tua Tagovailoa replaced him and eventually led the team to win the title.

The following season Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma and became the next great QB under Lincoln Riley’s supervision. He became the Heisman Trophy runner-up (to LSU’s Joe Burrow) as he achieved the Oklahoma single-season record for rushing yards and points scored by a QB.

In the 2020 NFL draft, he was drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) to back up and eventually replace the Philadelphia Eagles’ franchise quarterback, Carson Wentz. I voiced confusion and displeasure with the selection because I was a true Carson Wentz apologist at the time. I ultimately realized that with Wentz’s injury history becoming extensive, it was wise to have a dynamic QB waiting in the wings if anything were to happen to Wentz.

Hurts ended up replacing Wentz in the back end of the season and by season’s end their Head Coach, Doug Pederson was fired. Hurts would enter his second season as the starter with rookie Head Coach Nick Sirianni. Hurts finished the 2021 season with an 8-7 record; a team total of 9-8, while just barely making the playoffs.

Jalen Hurts demonstrated tremendous leadership and was statistically sound; he took positive steps in becoming the Eagles hopeful franchise quarterback. Despite an overall successful sophomore season campaign, he still struggled with deep passing accuracy. The question of if Hurts can become an improved deep ball passer will be a major factor for his further development as a professional and could certainly determine his prowess as a long-term dynasty asset.

Jalen Hurts’ rushing ability provided not only a tremendous ceiling for fantasy output but also a reliable floor week to week. In his 2nd season, Hurts finished first in the NFL for QBs in rushing attempts (139), yards (784), and TDs (10). He appeared in15 games and finished as the QB9 overall while ranking 6th in points per game.

Quick context check; before Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson went on IR to close out the season he was on pace to league the rushing attempts and yards. In 12 games; one of which he left early after only 2 rushing attempts for 5 yards, Jackson totaled 134 attempts for 767 yards.

The primary point remains that Hurts demonstrated that he was an elite rushing QB in 2021 and in the 4 games he started and one half of a game he started the 2nd half taking over for a struggling Carson Wentz. In 2020, once he took over the job; Hurts totaled 51 rushing attempts for 301 yards and 3 TDs.

Furthermore, the Eagles have an enormously improved offensive core. Hurts enters another season with Head Coach Sirianni who took several to get a substantial grip on the Eagles offense and what it is capable of. Another year with the athletic Tight End Dallas Goedert, sophomore weapons DeVonta Smith and Kenneth Gainwell, and now the cherry on top; wide receiver superstar A.J. Brown! A.J. Brown was acquired and immediately given a contract extension during the 2022 NFL draft in a trade with the Tennessee Titans for the 18th overall pick.

The importance of Brown’s presence in the Philadelphia offense simply cannot be understated. We know what Brown is and what he will bring; Brown will bring a big body that can be utilized in short, mid, deep, and red zone passing attempts. He will also make better defensive back matchups available for WR DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert. The improved passing attack trio of Brown, Smith, and Goedert will do wonders for a passing attack that recently relied on Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor in a variety of ways. Brown will not only help Hurts passing efficiency but will give better quality deep ball passing attempts to Watkins and Reagor; who will be best utilized as ancillary weapons.

I can visualize a wide path in which Hurts is able to improve both as a passer but also as a decision maker beyond the typical ‘one read and run’ type of offense. Brown unlocks many possibilities for the Eagles and potential game plans. Hurts has now been officially surrounded by fantastic options; it is now all on him to take the Eagles offense to the next level.

If you are skeptical about Hurts' ability to be a franchise quarterback, improve in his passing ability or decision-making like some members of the fan base and Philadelphia sports media have been then right now in this moment is the ultimate sell-high opportunity. The allure of a young, rushing specialist QB, with wildly improved offensive weapons, will never be higher. Hurts is a hot commodity, right now at least.

I do find the skepticism to be fair to a certain degree. NFL teams should hold high standards to their franchise QBs and if substantial results don’t come quickly, then teams can move on. One of those teams could be the Philadelphia Eagles. For his career Hurts has a completion percentage of 59% with a 9-10 overall W/L record as a starter. His 61% completion percentage in 2021 was ranked 28th among qualifying QBs.

With or without Hurts, General Manager Howie Roseman has done a beautiful job adding draft capital, quality free agents, and draft selections on both sides of the ball in the last two seasons. The Eagles currently hold strong capital in the next two drafts; two first-round picks in 2023 and in 2024 in addition to the first-round pick they also hold two second-round picks.  Howie Roseman has shown to be one of the most aggressive draft day traders in the league; with the strong QB class in 2023, nothing would surprise me if the Eagles looked to make a splash if Hurts doesn’t play to expectation.

If Hurts struggles to develop as a well-rounded quarterback not only could the Eagles go in a different direction at the position but other potential suitors around the league could as well. This would be the total pessimistic perspective but would be a literal nightmare for your dynasty rosters.

There is no doubt about the fact that Hurts has enormous upside with his rushing ability and improved offensive arsenal. However, legitimate questions remain about his professional development and potential career longevity.

Overall, I find that I’m optimistic that the pros outweigh the cons as he has steadily improved with each phase of his ever-adjusting career, including leading the Eagles to the post-season in 2021. Furthermore, I think it is clear the Eagles have put a lot of trust into Hurts as they have put him in the best position to succeed as possible with the A.J. Brown acquisition; it gives me an astounding vote of confidence that the team has with him.

I believe Hurts takes another step forward in his development as he will soon seek a 2nd contract with the Eagles; which of course will give the Eagles tremendous flexibility and outstanding possibilities to build around Hurts using their upcoming draft capital. Jalen Hurts remains a premier Konami Code QB to buy or hold in your dynasty leagues! Get the cheat code and win!

 

 

Thank you for reading! Follow me on Twitter @FantasyLadder for any further fantasy football discussion, questions, or advice!

NFC East Predictions for 2022

by

NFC East Predictions for 2022

By Tim Lazenby

In 2020, we saw for only the third time in NFL history where a team with a losing record won the division.  The Washington Football Team represented the NFC then, sporting a 7-9 record.  Moving into 2022, spoiler alert, I see the NFC struggling compared to the rest of the league and promoting a losing team to the playoffs.  Without further ado, here we go.

Dallas Cowboys

Record in 2021: 12-5-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 8-9-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

It seems like forever since the Dallas Cowboys haven’t had the best offensive line in football.  Zack Martin and crew give Dak Prescott his best shot each and every game.  The defense is also among the best in the league.  The biggest problem I see is Mike McCarthy’s late gate decision making.  Boasting the best of both worlds, he has to be wiser when the game matters the most.

Situation to Watch

Personally I’m watching to see the continued growth of CeeDee Lamb.  With Amari Cooper now calling Cleveland home, I can only imagine what CeeDee is truly capable of.  There are only seven receivers in the great history of the Cowboys who bested Lamb’s 79 receptions last season.  It’s not out of the question to think he can top the century mark for receptions; which only one Dallas wide receiver has accomplished.

Conclusion

A big part of the Cowboys not doing as well in 2022 as they did last season is the improvement of another team in this division.  I also see the Cowboys losing two key games to bottom feeders will sink their chances at a winning record.  Although they will be under 500, it doesn’t mean they’re done after 17 games though.

New York Giants

Record in 2021: 4-13-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 6-11-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

I’m sure everyone is aware of how well the Giants did in this year’s draft.  It helps, mind you, when you have two picks in the top ten.  And it’s even more helpful when, at one point, both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal were in contention to be drafted first overall.  That being said, so many question marks surround the team’s future.  The biggest two are Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.

Situation to Watch

Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley may be the two biggest question marks moving forward, but there are many more.  All in all, the Giants had 16 players miss half the games or more last season and many were starters.  It’s hard to evaluate what kind of team you have if so many are missing in action.  If the Giants are to make some noise this season, they’ve got to stay on the field.

Conclusion

I see positive strides coming the way of new coach Brian Daboll as he should instill a work ethic that has been missing for quite some time.  I also think that Daniel Jones proves management right with his play this year.  Though they won’t make the playoffs, it won’t be a laughing stock situation like it has been for so long.

Philadelphia Eagles

Record in 2021: 9-8-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 8-9-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Philadelphia Eagles shocked the world during the draft when they traded for superstar wide receiver, AJ Brown.  In Brown the Eagles finally have an alpha, but we can’t forget the makeup of this team.  They roster a quarterback who loves to run and the best ground game in the league.  A new identity has to be coming, but I wonder how long that will take to arrive fully.

Situation to Watch

With the addition of AJ Brown, changes are coming.  I worry for the long term security of Miles Sanders.  Last year he scored zero touchdowns and players like Kenneth Gainwell cannot be held off forever.  I don’t think the Eagles can justify another poor season of play from Miles Sanders now that they’re all in with their receiving game.

Conclusion

It’s easy to get excited about AJ Brown, but AJ Brown will not instantly make this team a contender.  If I were looking at the keys to success, I remember that they drafted living bulldozer Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean; maybe the best value in the draft.  The defense was good before, but now they can contend with the big boys.  That being said, I can’t see the offense magically changing overnight.  I’m certain it’s a year of growing pains before the Eagles really fly.

Washington Commanders

Record in 2021: 7-10-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 4-12-1

Strengths and Weaknesses

The biggest strength of this team is their schedule.  Ranking at sixth best, the cards are in their favor, but I’ll be real with you when I say that this team worries me.  Since they improbably limped into their division win two years ago, not much has gone right for this team.  A once rock solid defense has become a sieve and Carson Wentz is not the solution at quarterback.

Situation to Watch

For me, I’m watching to see how first round pick Jahan Dotson does out of the gate.  In my humble opinion, there were other areas they should have addressed in the draft instead of taking a receiver.  In fact, from my estimations, there was a better option even at the position available.  I’m hoping Jahan Dotson proves me wrong though.

Conclusion

There aren’t many teams that I think will finish lower than the Commanders in 2022.  While on paper, the defense should be way better and they are more improved than last year, it won’t be enough.  I predict a six game losing streak out of the gate and it’s a hurdle that wouldn’t likely be overcome by a favorite, let alone the lowly Commanders.

 

Follow me on Twitter @NFLazenby

2021 NFL Draft – Philadelphia Eagles “Re-Building around Jalen Hurts”

by

2021 NFL Draft – Philadelphia Eagles

“Re-Building around Jalen Hurts”

By Steve Uetz

The Philadelphia Eagles are in a full-blown rebuild being only one year removed from being a playoff team. That is how quickly things can change in the NFL. The Eagles have many roster needs and now with a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators, and new franchise QB hopeful, the Eagles embark on a quest to return to a playoff caliber team! Sitting at #6 overall, the Eagles could have gone a zillion different directions with which position to target, but they decided to make a pre-draft splash. Philadelphia contributed to the pre-draft trade madness by completing a trade with the Miami Dolphins to move from 6th to 12th overall in exchange for a 2022 1st round pick. This came directly after the Dolphins dealt with the 49ers to move from 3rd to 12th and then back down to 6th overall! There was plenty of pre-draft speculation that the Eagles weren’t done making moves as GM Howie Roseman is one of the most aggressive draft day trade dealers. Sure enough, the Eagles made another move… 

Draft Summary

1st Round (10) – WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama)

In a very strange turn of events with the division rivals (Cowboys, Giants, and Eagles) picking back-to-back-to-back; the Cowboys at #10 traded back to #12 with the Eagles (who gave up a 2021 3rd round pick), so the Eagles could leapfrog the New York Giants at #11 to draft the Heisman winning Alabama WR DeVonta Smith! This clearly jostled the Giants plans since they immediately traded back to #20 to give the Bears the #11 pick. 

DeVonta Smith and his easy speed is a dream come true for the Eagles at #10 overall being the 3rd WR selected! Smith fulfills the Eagles’ glaring need at the WR position and was the first pick of several that suggested that the team is committed to building around 2nd year QB Jalen Hurts. Smith becomes the de facto WR1 for the Eagles offense as he reunites with Jalen Hurts!

2nd Round (37) – C Landon Dickerson (Alabama)

In round 2 at 37 overall, the Eagles continued to demonstrate their commitment to Jalen Hurts as they turned their eyes back to the Alabama talent pool to select OL/C Landon Dickerson. Dickerson is an absolute wall and a clear first round talent. He fell to the early 2nd round because of an unfortunate injury history in his collegiate career; most recently suffering an ACL tear in the 2021 National Championship victory over Ohio State. The Eagles OL was depleted by injuries last season and with All-Pro Center Jason Kelce flirting with retirement, Dickerson is a very smart talent addition! He will slot right into an interior lineman position and be the future Center when healthy!

3rd Round (73) – DT Milton Williams (Louisiana Tech)

In the 3rd round at 73rd overall, the Eagles targeted another position of need with a DT. Milton Williams was the selection to replace Malik Jackson and play alongside All-Pro DT Fletcher Cox. The Louisiana Tech product is an extremely intriguing player and has become known as Aaron Donald lite. Williams lacked the Donald level college production to support his 1st round draft capitol, but their physical testing numbers are shockingly similar. Check this out: Williams stands 2 inches taller and weighs 1 less lb. than Donald, but Williams ran a faster 40 yard dash, short shuttle, and three-cone drill, and out-performed Donald in the vertical and broad jumps! Donald completed 35 bench reps to Williams’ 34! Aaron Donald is in a class of his own, but the peripheral athleticism of Williams simply cannot be ignored!

Secondary: 4th round (123) CB Zech McPhearson (Texas Tech) / 6th Round (224) S/LB JaCoby Stevens (LSU) 

New defensive coordinator Jonathon Gannon not only needs to generally bolster the secondary but needs to especially due to the NFC East teams maintaining (Dallas Cowboys impressive trio of WRs) and adding extra pass-catching firepower through free agency and the draft. Philadelphia’s new opponents include the likes of Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney (New York Giants) and Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown (Washington Football Team). The First Team All-Big 12 CB McPhearson and 2019 2nd Team All-SEC and National Champion Stevens lands in an Eagles secondary group that seemingly is always in need of help. Led by veteran stud Darius Slay, the Eagles secondary has some intriguing pieces to it but have their work cut out for them!

5th round (150) RB Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) 

One of the more (and shockingly many) surprising skill position players to see fall in the draft was Memphis RB Kenneth Gainwell. At least for fantasy purposes our radars are extra sensitive to where these intriguing RB prospects like Gainwell will land, but the Eagles made a surprising move and swooped in to snag him as a great value in the 5th round! I say surprising only because I thought the last position the Eagles needed to address was the RB position. Nevertheless, they land an RB with plenty of pass-catching upside as Gainwell is the latest to be drafted from the Memphis RB tree among the likes of Antonio Gibson, Darrell Henderson, and Tony Pollard. Gainwell will seemingly slot right into a backup role as a “hurry up offense” and pass-catching RB to mix in when Miles Sanders comes off the field. The most telling part of this draft pick is the further evidence of commitment to QB Jalen Hurts by adding another pass-catching weapon to the rebuilding arsenal!

6th round (189) DT Marlon Tuipulotu (USC) - 1st team All-Pac 12 and Senior Bowl attendee

6th round (191) DE/EDGE Tarron Jackson (Coastal Carolina) - Senior Bowl attendee

7th round (234) LB/EDGE Patrick Johnson (Tulane) - 3x All AAC Team and Tulane’s all-time sack leader

The Eagles had 4 selections throughout the 6th and 7th rounds which were focused solely on defense. The Eagles defense is in a unique spot; not only experienced some change in personnel but also performed below expectation (as did the rest of the team) in 2020. The expectations for the new coaching staff are high, well to at least to demonstrate progress is being made as Philadelphia attempts to remain competitive in their rebuilding stages while stewing in an overall inconsistent division. The Eagles land three collegiately productive players that fill immediate roster needs. 2021 Senior Bowl attendees DT Marlon Tuipulotu and DE/EDGE Tarron Jackson have their work cut out for them as they aim to stop the likes of Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Antonio Gibson. While versatile LB/EDGE Patrick Johnson will mix in in the overall weak LB group. The Eagles announced Johnson as a LB but will likely be utilized as an outside linebacker and involved as a pass rusher. 

Undrafted Free Agents

Jhamon Ausbon, WR, Texas A&M

Kayode Awosika, G, Buffalo

JaQuan Bailey, DE, Iowa State

Harry Crider, OL, Indiana

Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida

Jamie Newman, QB, Wake Forest

Jack Stoll, TE, Nebraska

Realistically Philadelphia is a couple years away from being true NFC contenders or even favorites in the shaky NFC East but in this draft they were able to fill some coveted roster needs. The 2021-2022 season will likely be a monitoring process of Jalen Hurts and the new coaching staff while ultimately anticipating the 2022 draft where they will have at least 2, but very likely to have 3 1st round picks!

Bob Miller’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft

by

by Bob Miller

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence (QB - Clemson)

Do I really need to give a reason? He's the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck. Done.

2. NY Jets - Zach Wilson (QB - BYU)

Wilson's athletic ability, accuracy from the pocket and on the run, and leadership makes him a no brainer here for the Jets.

3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields (QB - Ohio State)

The 49ers play Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray twice a year. They know what kind of a problem that type of quarterback is to defend. San Francisco decides that they need one of those QBs as well.

4. Denver Broncos - Trey Lance (QB - North Dakota State) Trade w/ Atlanta

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a trade! Atlanta trades the 4th pick to the Denver Broncos. After Denver failed to trade for Deshaun Watson, they decide that they won't fail again. They move up to get the their man, a mobile quarterback with a big arm for those cold games. Trey Lance fits that perfectly. Teddy Bridgewater is not their future, Trey Lance is.

5. Cincinnati Bengals - Ja’Marr Chase (WR - LSU)

Lots of mock drafts have Oregon LT Penei Sewell going here to the Bengals. Not mine. Ja'Marr Chase is the undisputed #1 wide receiver in this draft. Tackle is deeper is this draft than the past few years. They'll get one in the 2nd or 3rd. Cincinnati just can't pass on the opportunity to reunite Joe Burrow and his favorite WR. 

6. Miami Dolphins - Kyle Pitts (TE - Florida)

The Dolphins are thrilled to get Kyle Pitts. This once in a generation TE talent is just what they need to ensure that Tua Tagovailoa has every opportunity to succeed.

7. New England Patriots - Mac Jones (QB - Alabama) Trade w/ Detroit

We have our 2nd trade of the day! Detroit has been targeting WR Jaylen Waddle here for quite some time, but New England makes an offer that Detroit can't refuse. The Patriots get their guy! Jones needs the right situation to be successful in the NFL. What better situation to be in than being coached by Bill Belichick.

8. Carolina Panthers - Penei Sewell (LT - Oregon)

Sewell has dropped far enough. Carolina is in desperate need of a LT. Sewell starts day one and is the staple of their offensive line for the next decade.

9. Atlanta Falcons - Patrick Surtain II (CB - Alabama)

Defense is the priority for Atlanta. They traded back from pick #4 knowing that they were going to get one of the best corners available. They just happen to land the absolute best corner in this year's draft.

10. Dallas Cowboys - Jaycee Horn (CB - South Carolina)

Dallas fans are left disappointed after Patrick Surtain II gets sniped the pick before them. With cornerback being a major priority they take the best corner available. Horn is fast, physical, and will step in and start day one.

11. NY Giants - Jaelan Phillips (EDGE - Miami)

Phillips is arguably the most talented edge rusher in this class. He has had some injuries but is absolutely worth taking at pick #11. He will fill the void needed since Jason Pierre-Paul left years ago.

12. Philadelphia Eagles - Devonta Smith (WR - Alabama)

A dream come true for Philadelphia Eagles fans. They are in dire need for a WR, so what better than the unstoppable Heisman Trophy Winner. He is a bit undersized, but he's played that way his entire career. Congrats to Jaylen Hurts on getting a shiny new toy.

13. LA Chargers - Rashawn Slater (LT - Northwestern)

Los Angeles failed to land LT Orlando Brown Jr. from the Ravens. They didn't want to give what Baltimore was asking, because they knew they could land their franchise LT in this draft. Slater will be a very good left tackle in the NFL protecting Justin Herbert's blind side for years to come.

14. Minnesota Vikings - Kwity Paye (EDGE - Michigan)

Minnesota doesn’t have a second-round pick this year, so trading back is definitely a possibility. Adding a pass-rusher with this type of agility and strength opposite of Danielle Hunter may be just too hard to pass up.

15. Detroit Lions - Jaylen Waddle (WR - Alabama)

How about that. Detroit trades back with the hopes that Waddle would still be available, and he is. Waddle is a weapon that Detroit will use in many different ways. With the loss of Kenny Golladay via free agency, Waddle will targeted early and often.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Caleb Farley (CB - Virginia Tech)

With a glaring hole in the secondary left by Patrick Peterson, Arizona has to walk out of the first two rounds with a CB. Farley would have been a top-10 pick, but has fallen a bit due to the back injury concerns. Arizona believes that the reward outweighs the risk here.

17. Las Vegas Raiders - Micah Parsons (LB - Penn State)

This just makes too much sense. The Raiders need major help at linebacker, and Parsons is the best LB in this draft. Character issues prevents Parsons from being taken in the top 10, but that's not a concern for GM Mike Mayock. Jon Gruden may hurt himself running to the phone to call in this pick.

18. Miami Dolphins - Azeez Ojulari (EDGE - Georgia)

Azeez Ojulari is an edge defender with incredible speed and explosiveness. His upside is just to good for Miami to pass up.

19.Washington - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB - Notre Dame)

Washington is very thin at LB. JOK is an extremely fast linebacker that can line up against slot receivers and deliver a big pop to outside runs. This combined with his leadership makes this a big get for the Football Team.

20. Chicago Bears - Christian Darrisaw (LT - Virginia Tech)

Chicago considers going with WR Rashod Bateman here, but LT is a bigger need for the Bears. Darrisaw is a top tier OT, and is too good of a value here to pass up. Chicago can grab a WR in the next couple of rounds.

21. Indianapolis Colts - Alijah Vera-Tucker (OT – USC)

Left Tackle is by far the biggest need for the Colts, and Vera-Tucker is a versatile, athletic, and strong lineman that can line up anywhere. That won't matter as the Colts will plug him in at LT immediately.

22. Tennessee Titans - Rashod Bateman (WR - Minnesota)

The Titans "had" 2 major needs: Pass rush and wide receiver. They addressed the pass rushing need via free agency by signing Bud Dupree and Denico Autry. Now they need to replace the hole at WR with Corey Davis leaving for New York. They get a solid replacement in Rashod Bateman.

23. NY Jets - Greg Newsome (CB- Northwestern)

Cornerback is a major weakness for the Jets. Head Coach Robert Saleh is going to be thrilled that he lands a talent such as Newsome here.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gregory Rousseau (EDGE - Miami)

Pittsburgh has to replace EDGE with the loss of Bud Dupree. Rousseau is an absolute freak. He is 6'6/260 and has incredible reach. He has tremendous length for the position, and he's still building out his frame. He is still a little raw, but his upside is amazing.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig (S - TCU)

The best safety in this draft falls to the team that needs him the most. Jacksonville can use quite a bit of help on defense, and they get it here. Moehrig has great acceleration and closes on the ball quickly. He's a playmaker that Jacksonville desperately needs.

26. Cleveland Browns - Zaven Collins (LB - Tulsa)

Collins is a big, physical, and mobile linebacker that covers the middle of the field. He is fantastic against the run, which Cleveland will need to help them get over the hump against teams like Baltimore. He fills a need for Cleveland.

27. Baltimore Ravens - Joe Tryon (EDGE - Washington)

Baltimore has 3 holes to fill: EDGE, OT, and WR. Joe Tryon has elite upside as a pass rusher and will make an immediate impact for the Ravens. He opted out of the 2020 season, but his 2019 tape is fantastic. He has the potential to produce double digit sacks his rookie year in that Baltimore defense.

28. New Orleans Saints - Asante Samuel Jr. (CB - Florida State)

We all know about the Saints' salary cap situation. I wouldn't be surprised to see New Orleans trade back here, but their secondary is the top priority. They are in bad shape behind Marshon Lattimore, so drafting Samuel here makes all the sense in the world.

29. Green Bay Packers - Terrace Marshall (WR - LSU)

It's no secret that Green Bay needs help at WR behind Davante Adams. Marshall has size, speed, and great hands. He is a big target that is a mismatch for opposing corners. He will be a welcomed addition to the Packers offense.

30. Buffalo Bills - Joseph Ossai (EDGE - Texas)

I almost went with Najee Harris here, but EDGE is a bigger need for this team. They can get a RB in the next rounds. Ossai has a high motor and  high upside. He has great size and a very strong lower body. He is built for the NFL, and should be a solid EDGE defender that the Bills need.

31. Baltimore Ravens - Teven Jenkins (OT - Oklahoma State)

The Ravens were really hoping that Rashod Bateman or Terrace Marshall would fall to them here, but unfortunately that doesn't happen.  Rumor is the Ravens are shopping this pick. I'm 50/50 on the them trading back, because they already have 9 picks. With that being said they draft Teven Jenkins, a big, nasty RT with incredible size and strength. He's an elite pass protector and a fantastic run blocker. He fits right in where Orlando Brown left off.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jayson Oweh (EDGE - Penn State)

Jason Pierre-Paul isn't getting any younger, and Oweh will be a great replacement when the time comes. He has a ton of talent but has a bit to learn. He lands in the perfect situation in Tampa. He can be a situational player for now and learn from two great pass rushers in JPP and Shaq Barrett.

 

I want to give a special thanks to @McManusDesigns, @SwapKingdom, @SchapDesign, @Golden.GRFX, @SnaggyGFX, and @DesignedbyFranco for the awesome jersey swaps!

You can follow me on twitter at @BaltimoreBobFF