NFL draft 2019: 10 possibilities for Eagles on offense and defense

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After months of speculation and smokescreens and more mock drafts than we can count, the NFL draft kicks off tonight. 

It begins at 8 p.m. and will be televised on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. (Day 2 begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Day 3 begins at noon on Saturday). 

For now, the Eagles own the 25th pick. For reference, the 25th pick has been announced at around 10:55 p.m. EST the last couple of years. 

If you haven’t been paying attention until today, here’s a little cheat sheet —10 possibilities on offense and 10 possibilities on defense for the Eagles in the first round (listed alphabetically): 

Offense 

Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State: A center/guard, Bradbury is a candidate to be the top iOL off the board. At 6-foot-3, 306 pounds, slightly undersized, but a very athletic interior lineman. 

A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi: His teammate D.K. Metcalf is atop many receiver rankings, but Brown is a more versatile player. He has a full route tree and can play outside or in the slot. He might be a stretch for 25, but perhaps he’d fit as a trade-down candidate.  

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma: Despite a Lisfranc injury, Brown is still one of the best receivers in this class because of his electricity. He’s undersized, but he’s an absolute speed demon. The DeSean comparisons are unavoidable. 

Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State: Thanks to his pass-happy college offense, Dillard is the most polished OT in this class when it comes to pass protection. He still needs some work as a run blocker. 

Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma: Joe Douglas wouldn’t say whether the Eagles viewed Ford as more of a guard or a tackle, but said they had an idea of where he’d begin with the Birds. He might be a trade-up candidate and is a really solid prospect who could play guard or tackle at the NFL level. 

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama: Jacobs is likely to be the first running back on the board but there is a question about whether or not that will be in the first round. The Eagles haven’t taken an RB in Round 1 since the 80s, but Jacobs doest project as a true three-down back in the NFL. 

Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College: BC has a great track record when it comes to interior offensive linemen and there’s a good chance Lindstrom might be the first true interior guy off the board. 

Greg Little, OT, Mississippi: Opinions are really mixed on Little, whom some view as a first-rounder and others see as a second-rounder. Plenty of things to improve, but a team could fall in love with his frame and upside. 

Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State: Part of Risner’s value is his versatility after playing tackle and guard in college. The Eagles love versatility. He likely projects more as a guard, but has the ability to play tackle too. 

Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama: A possible trade-up candidate, Williams is viewed by many to be possibly the second-best offensive tackle in this class. 

Defense

Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware: A local kid, Adderley has to overcome the small school stigma, but he’s in play for the first round. The Eagles have never taken a pure safety in the first round, so maybe Round 2 is more likely for a safety. 

Brian Burns, DE, Florida State: A lanky pass rusher with freakish ability and athleticism. I have a feeling he’ll be long gone by 25 and might fit better as an outside ‘backer in a 3-4. 

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan: I don’t know if it’s more unlikely the Eagles would take a linebacker or that Bush would be available at 25. But both are very unlikely. Still, Bush is a stud sideline-to-sideline linebacker who would fit in perfectly with the Birds. 

Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson: Speaking of great fits, Ferrell is a prototypical 4-3 end in the Eagles’ defense. Many edge guys lack the size and ability to be stout run defenders, but Ferrell isn’t one of them. 

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida: A big versatile safety with cover skills and athleticism. Howie loves him some Gators and the Eagles certainly have some need for a young safety. Gardner-Johnson might be a little bit of a reach, but he should be available. 

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson: At 342 pounds, Lawrence is more of a run-stuffer, but he’s still really athletic for his size and has the ability to get upfield. I’ve come around on the idea of the Eagles using their first-round pick on him. 

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston: A clear trade-up candidate, it seems unlikely he’ll ever get in a realistic range for the Eagles. He is a top-10 talent. 

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State: He has a torn ACL and might have to redshirt as a rookie, but would be a great fit with the Birds if they’re willing to be patient. 

Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame: With seven sacks last season, Tillery is another attacking 4-3 defensive end with a possible Round 1 grade. At 6-6, 295, he’s plenty athletic but not enough to get into the top half of the first round. He’s likely to be there at 25.  

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson: He’s been my favorite all draft season. Wilkins is a legit first-round interior pass rusher who can do it all. He primarily played 3-tech at Clemson, but has the size to play 1-tech. He’s the kind of get-up-field interior rusher that is coveted in this NFL and the kind of personality that would fit right in with this Eagles team. 

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