Eagles add a desperately needed weapon with 23rd pick in Roob's Mock Draft

Eagles add a desperately needed weapon with 23rd pick in Roob's Mock Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

You’re usually not going to be far off projecting the Eagles to take a lineman in the first round of any mock draft. Howie Roseman has drafted 15 player in the first round and 10 have been either offensive or defensive linemen.

Going back even farther, since 1991, 22 of the Eagles’ 32 1st-round picks since 1991 have been linemen. The others? Five wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two corners and a linebacker.

So mocking the Eagles for an offensive tackle like Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor or Georgia’s Monroe Freeling or a edge like Akheem Mesidor or Clemson’s T.J. Parker makes a lot of sense.

But I’m not going to do it.

Because after 38 years, it’s time to take a tight end.

So you can read the entire mock or you can just peek ahead to No. 23 and see what I have the Eagles doing.

1. Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: No-brainer to start off. This will likely be the second straight year only one quarterback goes in the top 20 and that QB is the top pick. Mendoza has everything NFL teams are looking for – accuracy, toughness, movement ability and that clutch gene that was on display during Indiana’s postseason run. Mendoza will be Indiana’s first No. 1 overall pick in 88 years, since the Cleveland Rams took fullback/punter Corby Davis first overall in 1938. He only started 12 games in a brief career. The Raiders have been searching for a quarterback since they moved on from Derek Carr after the 2022 season – he’s their only Pro Bowl QB in the last 20 years – and they are banking on Mendoza as the answer.
2. Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech: If there were a worthy quarterback here, the Jets would go in that direction. But there isn’t, so they move to add some juice to the 2nd-worst defense in the NFL in 2025. The Jets ranked 29thin sacks, and Bailey gives them a healthy dose of pass rush ability. Bailey tied for the BCS sack lead with Nadame Tucker of Western Michigan, both with 14 ½. His 19 ½ tackles for loss were second to Tucker. Bailey is super twitchy and has tremendous bend around the corner. At 6-foot-3, 250 he’s not going to be a force against the run, but he has a chance to become the Jets’ most feared pass rusher sine Mark Gastineau, the last Jets pass rusher with 12 sacks in consecutive seasons.
3. Cards: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State: The parade of Ohio State Buckeyes begins with Reese, who could be an option for the Jets at No. 2 but goes third to the Cards in our mock. New head Mike LaFleur has a lot of work to do rebuilding a defense that ranked 29th last year under Jonathan Gannon and allowed the 3rd-most points in the NFL in Gannon’s three seasons in Glendale. Reese was a consensus All-America last year after a 10-sack season playing in Matt Patricia’s defense and gives returning Cards defensive coordinator Nick Ralis, a one-time Eagles linebackers coach, a second elite pass rusher across from Josh Sweat.
4. Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State: It wouldn’t be an NFL draft without an Ohio State wide receiver going very early. Tate will be OSU’s seventh 1st-round WR in the last six drafts, following Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. It’s been quite a run for the Buckeyes, and Tate looks like another elite prospect. He didn’t have huge numbers – 103 catches for 1,608 yards and 13 TDs the last two years playing behind Jeremiah Smith and his 4.54 at the Combine was surprisingly slow – but he projects as an outstanding pro, with outstanding route running ability, strong reliable hands and the versatility to line up anywhere. The Titans didn’t have a WR with more than 515 yards last year, and Tate brings the kind of explosiveness and production Cam Ward desperately needs.
5. Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami: The Giants haven’t drafted a Pro Bowl offensive tackle since they took David Diehl in the fifth round in 2003. It’s been a while, and they’ll try again with Miami’s massive 6-foot-6, 335-pound Francis Mauigoa. John Harbaugh knows the Giants will only be as good as Jaxson Dart, and Dart will only be as good as his protection. Dart was sacked 35 times in 12 starts last year and protecting last year’s 1st-round pick and surrounding him with more talent is going to be crucial if the Giants are going to return to respectability under the Eagles’ long-time special teams coach. Mauigoa is a smart, experienced lineman with quick feet, a strong punch and terrific leverage.
6. Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah: Whether the Browns’ quarterback is Shedeur Sanders or someone else, they need to upgrade a terrible offensive line and Fano gives the Browns a potential stud. An athletic specific with great movement ability, Fano played both right and left tackle in Salt Lake City and has the positional versatility to play either in the league. Fano played more than 350 pass block snaps this year and allowed just five pressures and no sacks. Those are numbers that get your attention. Utah hasn’t had a top-10 pick since the 49ers took Alex Smith No. 1 overall in 2005, but Fano has everything to end that two-decade streak.
7. Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami: The Commanders haven’t had a top outside pass rusher since before they were called the Commanders. Their last pass rusher with 12 sacks in a season was one-time Eagle Ryan Kerrigan back in 2017 and 2018. Bain spells his first name wrong, but other than that he’s a tremendous prospect who brings three years of experience and big-time production – 33 ½ tackles for loss, 20 ½ sacks and four forced fumbles over the last three seasons in Coral Gables. The Commanders haven’t drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since Chase Young back in 2020 and after a promising start that didn’t go well. Bain could be exactly what the Commanders are looking for after ranking last in the NFL last year in yards allowed and 31st in passing yards allowed per play.
8. Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC: The Saints need some juice in what was often a punchless offense in 2025. Chris Olave had his third 1,000-yard season, but no other Saints WR even had 500 yards, and after coaching A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith Kellen Moore knows how important it is to have multiple difference makers outside. Lemon gives the Saints that second WR weapon. After a promising 2024 season with 52 catches for 764 yards and three TDs, Lemon had a breakout 2025 with 79-for-1,156 and 11 TDs, and his 96 yards per game ranked 3rd in the BCS.
9. Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: The Chiefs ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing offense, and one thing about Andy Reid is that over the years he’s become more of a balanced offense coach than the pass-first play caller we saw here for 14 years. Big Red knows the only way for Patrick Mahomes to have success is if the offense has some sense of balance, and the Chiefs haven’t run the ball consistently well since Kareem Hunt was good. Love is exactly what the Chiefs and new offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy need. He ran for nearly 1,400 yards with a 6.9 average and 18 touchdowns last year, had over 50 catches the last two years and became only the second Notre Dame running back with at least 1,350 rushing yards in a season in the last 40 years. The other was one-time Eagle Josh Adams in 2017. The Chiefs desperately need weapons, and Love is one of the better ones in this year’s draft.
10. Bengals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State: The Bengals allowed a ridiculous 414 yards per game last year, worst in the NFL, and they need help across the board on that side of the ball. Styles, who started out as a safety at Ohio State, has the versatility you would expect from a converted DB. He’s terrific in coverage, an outstanding tackler and has had good production as a pass rusher, with nine sacks over the last three years to go with 21 ½ tackles for loss. The Bengals haven’t taken a defensive player with a top-10 pick since linebacker Keith Rivers ninth overall out of USC back in 2008. That did not go well. Styles has the ability and versatility to help the Bengals’ defense return to respectability under AL Golden.
11. Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU: The Dolphins had a bottom-10 overall defense and middle-of-the-pack pass defense and they’re in dire need of a playmaking cornerback to help settle things down in the secondary. One-time Eagles 3rd-round pick Rasul Douglas played well in his ninth season but is a free agent. The Dolphins haven’t taken a 1st-round corner since Vontae Davis 25th overall in 2009. They selected Cam Smith in the second round in 2023, but he’s already gone. So Delane fills a huge hole as new head coach Jeff Hafley tries to rebuild the Miami defense. Delane was a consensus All-America at LSU this past fall after three outstanding seasons at Virginia Tech. He’s got terrific technique for a young corner and didn’t commit a single DPI this past year playing in the SEC. He’s just what the Dolphins need.
12. Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: After allowing an absurd 30 points per game this past year, the Cowboys have to focus on rebuilding their defense this offseason under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, the former Eagles secondary coach. The Cowboys haven’t drafted a 1st-round defensive back in over a decade, since they took corner Byron Jones out of UConn in 2015. Downs played well at Alabama as a true freshman but really came into his own the last two years in Columbus, with four interceptions, 12 ½ tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and 150 tackles under Matt Patricia. Downs can play anywhere in the secondary and with his production and versatility he’ll help the Cowboys out as a Day 1 starter.
13. Rams [from Falcons]: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee: Looks like we have a nice little run of defensive backs with Delane, Downs and McCoy, who played just one year at Tennessee after starting out at Oregon State. McCoy showed elite production with four interceptions and an average of 17.8 yards per return along with nine pass breakups in 2024 before missing all of last year with a torn ACL. As long as he’s healthy, and it looks like he is, there’s no reason he won’t be a top half of the first round pick. The Rams are loaded, but they could use help at corner, and McCoy makes a lot of sense for Chris Shula’s unit.
14. Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State: Tyson came into his own the last two years at ASU after starting out at Colorado. He caught 136-for-1,812 with 18 touchdowns the last two years in Tempe and has the hands and route-running ability to make a difference from the jump. Tyson has a long injury history going back to a torn ACL and MCL at Colorado and a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a few weeks last year. So the biggest question with Tyson is his healthy, but if he checks out medically he’ll be one of the first WRs off the board.
15. Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M: Howell began his career at Bowling Green playing for Scot Loeffler before finishing at A&M. But he was productive at both schools, with 9 ½ sacks and 10 ½ tackles for loss at BGSU in 2023 and 15 ½ sacks and 22 ½ TfL in two years in College Station. His 25 sacks over the last three seasons – 2023 at BGSU, 2024 and 2025 at A&M – are 3rd-most in the BCS over that span, behind only David Bailey and Eagles 6th-round draft pick Antwaun Powell-Ryland. The Bucs haven’t had anybody with more than 10 sacks since Shaq Barrett back in 2019, and that’s not Todd Bowles football. Howell is exactly what the Bucs need to generate outside pass rush.
16. Jets [from Colts]: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson: We have the Jets going defense-defense with David Bailey at No. 4 and Woods at No. 16. We have Woods as the top interior lineman off the board, and while he could go higher than 16 he’s a nice fit for the Jets with his monster ability vs. the run and disruptive effort as a pass rusher. Woods stands 6-foot-3, 315 pounds. The last interior lineman the Jets drafted in the first round was Quinnen Williams in 2019 and Woods would be a terrific replacement for Williams, who they traded to the Cowboys in November.
17. Lions: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn: Everybody is looking for edge rushers, and Faulk is another big-time edge prospect. His 2025 production (2.0 sacks) didn’t match his breakthrough 2024 season (7.0 sacks), but he’s a powerful and athletic specimen with rare size at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds and he doesn’t turn 21 until September, so his upside is huge. The Lions got 14 ½ sacks from Aidan Hutchinson and 11 from Al-Quadin Muhammad, but Muhammad is a free agent and not expected back, and Faulk would give the Lions a very good 1-2 pass rush combo as they try to return to the playoffs in 2026.
18. Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson: Terrell didn’t have the interception production you might want to see, but with his aggressiveness, tenacity, athleticism and stickiness in coverage he projects as a high-level starter in the NFL. With the Vikings, he would team up with Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. to form a top cornerback tandem. Terrell only had three INTs in three years at Clemson, but he had 9.0 tackles for loss and four sacks as well as eight forced fumbles, so his playmaking ability came out in a lot of different ways. The Vikings haven’t taken a corner with a top-20 pick since Trae Waynes in 2015, so they’re due, and Terrell looks like a perfect fit.
19. Panthers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State: “Vega” is the only true 1st-round interior o-line talent in this year’s draft. Ioane, who never played football before high school, stands 6-4, 325 and generates tremendous power and leverage that enable him to neutralize interior defensive linemen at a high level both as a run blocker and pass blocker. Ioane has the experience playing at the highest level of college football that should allow him to be a Day 1 starter.
20. Cowboys [from Packers]: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia: Cowboys stay with defense with their second 1st-round pick, one of the picks they got in the Micah Parsons trade. Allen is a tough, smart, physical playmaking linebacker who will fit right in under new Cowboys DC Christian Parker. Allen is a little undersized at 6-1, 235, but he’s tremendous in coverage, very good against the run and he’s still only 20. Had over 200 tackles, 10 pass breakups, one INT, 4 ½ sacks and 13 ½ tackles for loss in three years in Athens. Should be a three-down player from the jump once he gets to the NFL.
21. Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: Finally, QB2 off the board, and it’s a one-year starter. Simpson backed up Bryce Young for a year and Jalen Milroe for two years but stuck around and finally got his opportunity this past year and made the most of it, throwing for 3,567 yards, completing 65 percent of his passes with 28 touchdown passes and just five interceptions. Simpson’s lack of experience and lack of a cannon arm could drop him to the lower reaches of the first round or even into the second round, but an outstanding Combine should guarantee he goes on Day 1. He’s a smart, tough quarterback who makes a lot of sense for the Steelers whether they bring back Aaron Rodgers or not.
22. Chargers: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri: The sixth edge off the board, Young spent two years at Michigan State followed by two years at Missouri. In all, he had 28 ½ tackles for loss and 11 ½ sacks with career highs of 16 ½ TFL and 6 ½ sacks this past year for the Tigers. Young sure looks the part at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds and should provide instant pass rush for a Chargers defense that ranked 28th in sacks last year.
23. Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon: Whether or not the Eagles bring back Dallas Goedert, and I doubt they can afford him at this point, they need to start thinking about the tight end position as Goedert is now 31 and going into his ninth season and the cupboard is bare beyond him. Sadiq isn’t a bad blocker, but his strength is as a pass catcher, and that’s what’s in vogue these days at tight end in the NFL. Guys who can catch and run and make plays, and that’s something the Eagles desperately need. The Eagles haven’t taken a tight end in the first round since Keith Jackson in 1988, but Sadiq is similar to Jackson in that he can run and catch like a wide receiver, and he’ll give Jalen Hurts another weapon, which he needs whether or not A.J. Brown and Goedert are here. Sadiq had 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns this past year for the Ducks and he’s just what Sean Mannion needs. A terrific Combine may have moved Sadiq out of range for the Eagles, but if he’s there, they need to take him.
24. Browns [from Jaguars]: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M: The Browns go offense again with their second 1st-round pick, taking a polished, experienced and productive receiver in K.C. Concepcion, the Browns’ first 1st-round WR since Corey Coleman in 2016. Concepcion caught 185 passes for 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns in three productive seasons at North Carolina State and A&M. Along with Elijah Sarratt of Indiana and James Madison, he’s one of only two WRs with at least 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns over the last three years. Concepcion isn’t a burner, but he’s got quickness and toughness to separate against press off the line of scrimmage and a real knack for getting open vs. zone.
25. Bears: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson: The Bears finished 21st in sacks last year, and Parker gives them a second pass rusher alongside Montez Sweat, who had 10 sacks last year. Parker, 6-foot-3, 260, had a big 2024 season with 11 sacks and 19 ½ tackles for loss with six forced fumbles and his production dropped off this past season to 5.0 sacks, 9 ½ TfL and no forced fumbles, so that’s something to consider, but Parker is a terrific run stopper and knows how to use his long arms to beat offensive tackles as a pass rusher. Not a plus athlete and that could limit his production but projects as a solid every-down starter.
26. Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington: Khalil Shakir led Buffalo with 821 and 719 yards the last two years, and the Bills haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Stefon Diggs in 2023. That’s not good enough, and Joe Brady knows he has to get Josh Allen some weapons. Denzel Boston is a good start. Boston is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound specimen who should be a threat in the red zone right away as he learns the rest of the NFL game. Boston caught 125 passes for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns over the last two years and showed an ability to use his size to make contested catches and reel in jump balls. The Bills haven’t drafted a 1st-round WR since Sammy Watkins 12 years ago, so they are due.
27. 49ers: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia: Another team that could use a promising young wide receiver, the 49ers’ leading WR last year was Jauan Jennings with 643 yards. Brandon Aiyuk, a 1st-round pick in 2020 and an all-pro in 2023, won’t be back with the 49ers, so it’s time to replenish the position in Santa Clara. Branch, the sixth WR off the board, had a solid year in the slot at Georgia after spending two seasons at USC. He only averaged 10 yards per catch in the Bulldogs’ short passing game, but he ran 4.36 at the Combine, and his 81 receptions were 10th-most in the BCS, led the SEC and broke a 32-year-old Georgia record set by Brice Hunter.
28. Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama: The 6-foot-7, 366-pound Proctor could be an Eagles pick, but I have him going a little later to the Texans. He’s got that massive size that teams are going to be enamored with, but he needs work on his technique and has to learn how to use that tremendous size to his advantage, especially as a pass blocker. But he is a fascinating prospect and a move to guard isn’t out of the question.
29. Rams: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah: Rams went defense with Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy at No. 13 with the pick they acquired from the Falcons and we’ve got them going o-line with their second pick. Lomu is 6-foot-6, 310 pounds and the sort of polished pass blocker who could jump right in and play in Sean McVay’s offense. Still needs work as a run blocker but has all the tools to become elite there, too. Lomu is 24 so he’s an older prospect, but he’s big, athletic and projects as a plus NFL left tackle.
30. Broncos: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State: McDonald is a hulking 6-foot-3, 325-pound interior lineman who wrecked havoc on the Big Ten the last two years. McDonald really came into his own this past season, with 65 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks and was one of three All-America picks on Matt Patricia’s defense, along with linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs. McDonald is a plug-and-play run down force right now and he’s got some pass-rush ability as well. He’s the fifth Ohio State player off the board, which means more than 15 percent of our first round is former Buckeyes.
31. Patriots: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia: The fifth offensive tackle off the board, Freeling stands 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, with room to add a little bulk that he’ll need to go up against the top edge rushers in the NFL. Freeling only started 16 games for Georgia, so he’s got some work to do in terms of experience and developing his technique. He might take a year or two to get where he needs to be. But he’s got the athleticism and frame NFL teams are looking for.
32. Seahawks: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana: The Super Bowl champs finish Round 1 by drafting a WR to play alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Cooper Kupp had a big postseason, but he’ll be 33 this summer and isn’t close to the player he used to be. Fernando Mendoza’s favorite weapon, Omar Cooper led the national champs with 69-for-937 and 13 TDs this year in a balanced offense where seven different guys got the football in the passing game. Cooper played outside some as a sophomore in 2024 but mainly in the slot this past season and showed a mastery of all the inside routes as well as the toughness you need to play in the slot. He’s an eager tackle breaker and will pick up lots of YaC just with his strength and willpower.