Let's be real, we all know that most of these sorts of analyses are mostly nonsense as a player can't really be evaluated as a draft pick for a year or two at least. Still, we devour these stories like they're pure gold, because it's interesting to see perspectives on what people think about how the Birds did. A quick comment on what I believe to be the best methodology for issuing these admittedly too-early grades: spend less energy on the player alone and look more at where the player was taken, and the context of where the team's roster stands (both immediate and long term need). A positive example (and a spoiler): the Eagles' pick of Cooper DeJean a sold 20 slots below where he could have gone. A negative example: Michael Penix.
Here goes nothing:
22. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: A. Negativity first: the transition from the MAC to the NFL will be significant. Mitchell got very little college work against elite WRs and the reps that he did get were mixed at best (he did give up a score to Marvin Harrison Jr in 2022). His Senior Bowl tape was better, his athletic profile is elite as was his overall college production (45 PBUs in his three years as a starter). The only defensive backs to run faster than Mitchell in the pre-draft process were 20+ pounds lighter. This guy could easily have been gone ten picks higher and the Birds didn't need to trade up at all. He'll minimally provide some competition at a spot of need and if he can make the transition, will plug a key spot for a decade.
40. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa: A. As alluded to earlier, this reflects the ideal melding of need and value. DeJean was a legitimate possibility for the Birds at 22. He's primarily an outside corner but would have no issue playing the nickel. A move to safety is well within the world of possibility (don't look now, but DeJean's profile is remarkably similar to Malcolm Jenkin's from back in the day). Minimally, DeJean should be able to provide competitive depth at all the DB positions.
94. Jalyx Hunt, DE/OLB, Houston Christian: D. Hunt is intriguing as a player with DB athleticism but in the body of a DE. There's buzz that he could continue to add weight (possibly as high as 270), and may be able to move around the formation a little bit. Hunt was probably a little overdrafted although opinions on where he was truly graded by the league at large vary. Here's my concern: does the profile of an athletic LB prospect who's new to the position taken by Philly late in the third round sound familiar? Apparently Vic Fangio loves the kid, so he'll have his chances.
127. Will Shipley, RB, Clemson: C-. Another (slight) reach, but still: the kid is competitive, smart, has the right mental stuff, definitely a plus athlete and provides the versatility the Eagles covet. He'll find a role on this team. Reminds me a lot of Kenny Gainwell and will probably be Kenny G's replacement in the rotation next year.
152. Ainais Smith, WR, Texas A&M: B. Smith can line up out wide, in the slot, in the backfield or as a kick or punt returner. That kind of versatility tends to find a role. Smith should be able to compete for the slot WR role, at least.
155. Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson: B. Trotter is limited in terms of size, but he's another good athlete that will have a chance to start right away. He's been productive and a team leader for some years now.
172. Trevor Keegan, G, Michigan: C. Some mixed feelings here. On one hand, Keegan is a big, powerful, experienced player at a position of need. He's a three year starter and a two time captain for a Michigan team that was pretty successful over those years. On the other hand, he's exclusively played on the left side, a spot currently occupied by Landon Dickerson. He'll be in the mix at RG but is unlikely to start.
185. Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida St: A. I had speculated on my own mock that the birds might take this kid and move him to TE. It sounds like they really like him as an outside WR, which is fine. You won't find too many of those guys that are 6-7, 230 and can run a 4.5. He's not just an athletic marvel as he's been FSU's leading WR over the time he was there.
190. Dylan McMahon, C, NC State: B. Sign me up for an undersized but athletic interior OL prospect taken in the sixth round! Seriously, the comps to Kelce aren't warranted but there's a lot to like here; we mentioned the athleticism already but McMahon's versatility (played meaningful snaps at LG, C and RG in college) deserves attention as well.
Undrafted free agents: C. Here's the list:
Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor |
Gottlieb Ayedze, OG, Maryland |
Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia |
Anim Dankwah, OT, Howard |
McCallan Castles, TE, Tennessee |
Andre' Sam, S, LSU |
No real needle movers so far as I can tell, with the possible exception of Hall, who carried a 4th round grade and may have some upside. Dankwah is a comically large specimen at 6-8, 350, so he should be fun to watch at camp even if he has no shot at making the team.
All told, I'm going to give this haul a B+. There were a couple reaches and just enough questions regarding how well some players will make the jump that I can't go all the way to an A, but make no mistake: the team helped itself this weekend. The extra three picks scooped up for the 2025 draft add flexibility for the future.
To wrap up, there were two clear trends that I noticed with the Birds' draft that are interesting and worth watching play out. First, versatility. Consider:
DeJean lined up at outside corner, slot, LB, DE, kick and punt coverage and of course punt returner. Most observers think he can also play safety.
Hunt was a WR turned safety, who bulked up to edge rusher but still has coverage chops and may be the prototype of a pass rusher that can drop into coverage.
Shipley is a prototypical APB that also offers kick return chops.
Smith has all sorts of positional versatility as noted above.
Ditto to McMahon, who likely will be a full time center but played major snaps at both guard spots as well.
The other major trend I noticed is overall athleticism. Here's the percentile ranks that each of the Eagles' draftees rank at their position in RAS:
Mitchell: 97th among CBs
DeJean: 98th among CBs
Hunt: 92nd among DEs
Shipley: 95th among RBs
Smith: 73rd among WRs
Trotter: didn't test enough to qualify
Keegan: 91st among guards
Wilson: 97th among WRs
McMahon: 97th among centers
Of course, RAS (as well as all other athletic testing) isn't any kind of Gospel truth. I'm only pointing this out to show the trend. If nothing else, it certainly speaks to Philly's currently analytically inclined player evaluation strategy.
Only about 18 weeks till the season starts...