It's never too early, and always fun to crack open a mock draft! A few thoughts before we begin:

What picks do the Eagles have? I had published a list in August that (thanks to the Byard trade) needs to be updated; here it is:

1ST ROUND

Eagles’ own pick

2ND ROUND

Eagles’ own pick

Saints pick

3RD ROUND

The Eagles’ own pick was traded to Arizona for Kelee Ringo

compensatory pick for Javon Hargrave

4TH ROUND

The Eagles’ own pick was traded to Chicago for Jalen Carter

5TH ROUND

The Eagles’ own pick was traded to Arizona as part of that “discipline” for tampering

Vikings or Buccaneers pick (acquired for Jalen Raeger), whichever is better, traded to Tennessee for Kevin Byard

Vikings or Buccaneers pick (acquired for a sixth round pick during 2023 draft), whichever is worse

compensatory pick for Isaac Seumalo

compensatory pick for Andre Dillard

6TH ROUND

The Eagles’ own pick was traded to New Orleans for CJGJ

Titans pick (acquired for Ugo Amadi), traded to Tennessee for Byard

compensatory pick for CJGJ

7TH ROUND

The Eagles’ own pick was traded to Seattle for Ugo Amadi

As of now I'm going to give Philly the #29 draft slot. The Saints pick in the second round should land in the middle; I'm going to mark it as #49 overall.

As good as the current roster looks right now, there are very few positions that I couldn't see Philly addressing at some point. I don't think they'll draft a QB or DT in the higher rounds, but pretty much every other position should be considered.

Here we go!

#29: J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio St. I don't think it's likely that JTT drops this far, but scouts are divided on his draft stock. Should he make it, it's a no-brainer for the Birds to bring in a freakish size-athleticism-playmaking combo like Tuimoloau. Should he drop into the mid to late teens, he's a trade-up candidate. This is a sneaky position of need for Philly, as Graham will likely retire after 2023 and both Reddick and Sweat will be in contract years next season.

#49 (from Saints): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma. The Eagles have had good luck drafting and developing an Oklahoma OT with elite physical tools in the past. Philly needs a swing tackle and a prospect to develop here, and Guyton is intriguing at 6-7, 327 with 5.1 speed.

#61: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin. Philly's best RB draft picks have all been Day 2 selections (Westbrook, McCoy, Sanders). Allen is a freakish size-strength-speed combo who will only be 20 in the 2024 season. Philly has been looking (mostly unsuccessfully) for a big back since the days of LeGarrette Blount.

#97 (compensatory): Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington. He got hurt in a game in September, which may cloud the projection a bit. If he's healthy he may well go much higher, as an elite all around athlete with 6-1 size. His productivity has climbed each year since he's been a starter. Elite HS prospects with elite college production are really good pro prospects.

#152 (from Tampa): Beaux Limmer, OG, Arkansas. He's got size, strength, positional versatility and has played in a run-first college offense. I think the Birds will want to bring in some competition for Tyler Steen for the right guard position.

#172 (compensatory): Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa. Another player coming off injury, Lachey is nevertheless a prospect that Philly fans would get excited about. He's a good athlete from a school known for producing NFL tight ends. Philly may already be overdue to bring in a complement to Goedert.

#173 (compensatory): Jalen Catalon, S, Texas. At one time Catalon was considered a first round prospect but injuries and a transfer rerouted his career a couple times. He's been a productive difference maker for years and Philly needs some stability here as no current safety (including Kevin Byard) is guaranteed to be on this roster next year, except of course for Reed Blankenship.

#214 (compensatory): De'Corian Clark, WR, UTSA. At this point in the draft you're looking for lottery tickets (a la Jordan Mailata); Clark is yet another intriguing size-strength-speed prospect coming off an injury, but if he can get right he may well make a team look smart for throwing a late Day 3 pick at him. Philly is in real need of an outside WR option to back up Brown and Smith.