Eagles mock draft: Projecting every Philadelphia pick ahead of NFL Combine

Posted by author February 24, 2025 NFL

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PHILADELPHIA − For a team that just won the Super Bowl with the No. 1-ranked defense, which is among the youngest in the NFL, the Eagles sure have a lot of needs in the NFL draft.

That’s because unlike last season, the Eagles might not be able to address many of them in free agency. The Eagles don’t have the salary cap space that they did last season when they splurged on Saquon Barkley, CJ Gardner-Johnson and Bryce Huff.

So some of those players might have to come in the NFL draft, especially if they’re losing two defensive linemen in free agency, as expected, in edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams. The Eagles could also lose right guard Mekhi Becton to free agency along with some veteran backups, such as swing tackle Fred Johnson (they already released Nick Gates).

That makes the NFL scouting combine, which begins Thursday and lasts through March 2, all the more important for the Eagles.

The good news for the Eagles is the draft is strong for offensive and defensive linemen. The bad news is by winning the Super Bowl, the Eagles have the last pick in each of the first three rounds among their seven picks. They have three picks in the 5th round, but none in Rounds 6 or 7.

So it’s a strong possibility that the Eagles could trade back from their first-round pick at No. 32 to get an extra second-round pick and perhaps another one or two in later rounds.

“If (another team) wants to jump up, I could easily see (the Eagles) sliding back and trying to get some more shots at it here on Day 2,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in a pre-combine conference call. “I think there’s a lot of value in Day 2 in this year’s draft class.”

Then Jeremiah added with a laugh about the Eagles: “When in doubt, just sit there and wait for some uber-talented Georgia, Alabama player to fall into their lap.”

That might just happen. Here, then, is an Eagles’ mock draft heading into the NFL combine:

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Round 5, No. 168: Kobe King, LB, Penn State

Even if linebackers Zack Baun and veteran Oren Burks return, the Eagles will need to add depth because there’s a good chance Nakobe Dean won’t be ready for the start of the season after tearing his patellar tendon in the playoffs. King might not be ready to play right away, but he would add depth behind Baun and/or Burks, Dean and Jeremiah Trotter. If Baun isn’t back, well, the Eagles just might take a linebacker in Round 1 for the first time since 1979.

Round 5, No. 165: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Why would the Eagles draft a running back after Saquon Barkley’s record season? Simple. The Eagles, with this pick acquired from Washington, could lose Kenny Gainwell in free agency, pushing Will Shipley up to fill that role. Yarns, a strong receiver as well as runner, would give the Eagles a change-of-pace in Gainwell’s mold.

Round 5, No. 161: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

The Eagles will likely draft a corner with this pick, acquired from Houston, because either Darius Slay or Isaiah Rodgers won’t be back in 2025. The Eagles could release Slay, who’s 34, in order to save money on the salary cap, and Rodgers is a free agent. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have 2 of the 3 cornerback spots. Burke, who’s 6-foot-1, 190, could compete with Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks for the other if Slay and Rodgers are back. If not, Burke can provide depth.

Round 4, No. 128: Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green

The Eagles have two solid tight ends in Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra, but both are entering the final year of their contracts. Sure, the Eagles could restructure Goedert’s deal and add another guaranteed year or two. But at some point, they’ll need a solid replacement. Fannin fits the bill with this pick, acquired from Detroit. He led all FBS players with 117 catches for 1,555 yards last season. He’s not as refined as some other tight ends. But he should have a year to develop.

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Round 3, pick 96: Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue

Mbow spent the past two seasons as a tackle for the Boilermakers, but he projects as a guard in the NFL. That was Tyler Steen’s experience as a tackle in college before moving to guard. Mbow helps replace the depth on the O-line as Steen would move in to replace Becton at right guard if Becton in fact leaves in free agency.

Round 2, pick 64: Sai’vion Jones, Edge, LSU

Jones, at 6-6, 280 pounds, has many of the attributes of Josh Sweat, who’s likely to leave in free agency. Jones would fit in nicely in the Eagles’ rotation, which is expected to be much younger with Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff and Jalyx Hunt the only players under contract for 2025. If Brandon Graham retires, Jones might have a bigger role.

Round 1, pick 32: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

It would be unheard of for two Toledo players to get picked in the first round in back-to-back years, let alone both getting picked by the Eagles. But Quinyon Mitchell’s success last season certainly helped, and head coach Nick Sirianni’s former college teammate is Toledo coach Jason Candle. The Eagles could use the depth with Milton Williams’ likely departure in free agency. Alexander, at 6-4, 310, had 3.5 sacks, an interception and 5 passes defensed.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.