Eagles land LSU star in 7-round mock draft
The Eagles grab a game-changing wideout in this seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft. By: Shamus Clancy
After causing a stir with a tank-filled Week 17 loss against Washington, the Eagles are set to have the sixth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
They will likely have nine picks in total including two projected late compensatory picks in the sixth and seventh rounds for the loss of Jordan Howard and Ronald Darby in free agency last offseason.
General manager Howie Roseman now faces one of the biggest offseasons of his career.
The prize for the Eagles' disastrous season is the guy who was the best receiver in the country in 2019 before sitting out the 2020 season. If you thought Justin Jefferson was a stud for Tigers last year, Chase was even better while also being a year younger.
Chase had 80 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in LSU's championship campaign. He can be your DeAndre Hopkins. He can be your Odell Beckham Jr. He is a franchise-altering talent.
The Eagles haven't had a playmaker in the secondary since the elder Asante Samuel was patrolling the Linc. Samuel Jr. is more than just a legacy player. He's a talent in his own right, intercepting three passes and recovering two fumbles in just eight games for Florida State this season.
The backend for the Eagles is in shambles with injuries and incompetent play all around. Any help there will be a boost for whomever is the Birds' new defensive coordinator in 2021.
Entering another offseason where Jason Kelce will likely mull retirement, the Eagles need reinforcements on the interior offensive line. One of Nate Herbig or Isaac Seumalo may kick inside as a Kelce replacement, necessitating more depth up front.
Brandon Brooks is returning from another injury in 2021, but those seem to be mounting for him as he enters his age-32 season. Deonte Brown is a big body at 6'4" and 338 lbs. who can pave running lanes for Miles Sanders if called upon.
Hey, a linebacker!
Monty Rice is a tad undersized at just 6'1" and 235 lbs., but that leads to him being an agile inside linebacker who can drop into coverage easily with plus lateral movement.
Rice finished his college career with 219 total tackles across four seasons for the Bulldogs.
Amari Rodgers is the sleeper pick who general managers are going to be kicking themselves for not drafting two years from now. He gives off some Randall Cobb-lite vibes. He's an ideal fit in the slot for an Eagles team that needs more juice from the position.
In his senior season for Clemson, Rodgers finished 1,020 receiving yards on 77 catches with seven touchdowns.
Ali Gaye is a junior college transfer who spent just a year at LSU, but what he lacks in top-level competition experience he makes up with a motor and tenacity that you can expect from former JuCo players.
If the Eagles continue to use a 4-3 front with their new defensive coordinator, Gaye would fit well in that scheme and could potentially turn into a depth rotation piece down the line.
Amari Burney is in the vein of many new-school defenders, as he's a bit of a hybrid player with experience playing both linebacker and safety. His best role at the pro level would be a mix of a box safety and outside linebacker who could use his athleticism well enough in the passing game.
Miles Sanders is entering the third year of his rookie contract. Doug Pederson has used backup running backs throughout his tenure in Philly and it would be wise to nab one in the draft.
Elijah Mitchell worked in a read-option-heavy attack for a Ragin' Cajuns team that finished ranked 19th in the country. If Jalen Hurts is the starting quarterback in 2021, Mitchell could easily be integrated into the Eagles' running game plan.
In four collegiate seasons, Mitchell finished with 3,864 yards from scrimmage and 46 total touchdowns.
With one of the last picks in the draft, it's smart to take a swing on a guy who could fill multiple roles in a pinch, especially for an Eagles team that is constantly depleted because of injuries.
Trey Dean III spent time as an outsider corner, slot corner and safety for the Gators. The hope would be that he could be a versatile end-of-the-roster piece.
