The Philadelphia Eagles knocked it out of the park with their first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, but they still have plenty of picks left. As of this posting, the Eagles currently have the 53rd and 103rd overall picks during Day 2 of the NFL Draft. While they could trade one or both of those selections, there should be plenty of good players left when the Eagles are on the board.
Best Philadelphia Eagles Day 2 NFL Draft Prospects
Pick 53
Best Safety Available
The Eagles might be able to luck out and get a fantastic safety with the 53rd overall selection. Somehow, not a single safety went off the board in the first round, meaning that there are pretty solid odds of a great player slipping down to the Eagles. While Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit almost certainly won’t be there, the Eagles could have their pick of Antoine Winfield Jr., Ashtyn Davis, or Jeremy Chinn. Prior to yesterday, this situation seemed like a pipe dream.
Jaylon Johnson [NFL Draft Profile]
Darius Slay helped solidify Philadelphia’s depth chart, but they still need to find a reliable starter opposite him. Nobody can realistically expect Kristian Fulton and Trevon Diggs to fall to 53, but the Eagles might be able to get their hands on cornerback Jaylon Johnson. At 6’-0” and 195 pounds, Johnson possesses the ideal build for the position and great overall coverage skills. Some teams may be taken aback by his poor tackling fundamentals, but that’s something you can easily live with in the second round.
Willie Gay [NFL Draft Profile]
The Philadelphia Eagles need another linebacker, and Willie Gay could be their primary target. Gay is the perfect linebacker for the modern NFL, as the Mississippi State product excels in coverage and can go step-for-step with tight ends and linebackers. While he’s not the best run defender, he is easily worthy of a second-round pick if the Eagles decide that the reason behind his 2019 suspension isn’t cause for serious alarm.
Lucas Niang [NFL Draft Profile]
In theory, the Philadelphia Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in football. However, they have a massive unknown in Andre Dillard, and they should invest in a backup in case Dillard doesn’t pan out. Assuming that guys like Ezra Cleveland and Josh Jones are off the board, Lucas Niang would be a perfect choice for the job. He’s a powerful blocker that can clear massive lanes in the run game, although his work in pass protection leaves something to be desired. Ideally, the Eagles can work out his pass-blocking deficiencies while he provides valuable depth at both tackle positions.
Netane Muti [NFL Draft Profile]
If healthy, Netane Muti could be the steal of the draft. When on the field, Muti is arguably the best all-around interior lineman in the class. The Fresno State product is simply unstoppable in the run game, capable of blowing up interior lineman with the speed to chase down linebackers in space. He’s just as good in pass protection, as it’s rare to see him ever lose a rep. However, the big question with Muti is health. He missed a sizable portion of the past two seasons with an Achilles and shoulder injury, respectively. However, if Howie Roseman is shooting for upside and upside alone, Netane Muti should be the obvious pick.
Pick 103
Van Jefferson/K.J. Hill [NFL Draft Profile – Jefferson] [NFL Draft Profile – Hill]
The Eagles landed a stud in Jalen Reagor, but that shouldn’t stop them from going after another receiver. This class is absolutely stacked with talent, and guys like Van Jefferson and K.J. Hill have the potential to contribute right out of the gate. K.J. Hill is a great slot receiver similar to Danny Amendola and could easily outplay his draft stock. Similarly, Jefferson excels in the slot, runs tight routes, and is capable of quickly getting open in the short part of the field. Each player has similar traits, so it’s basically a matter of personal preference for the Eagles.
Matt Peart [NFL Draft Profile]
If the Eagles pass on tackle in the second round, then they’ll probably address it with this pick. Matt Peart is a well-round prospect that is already capable of playing at a serviceable level against the pass and the run. Most prospects at this point in the draft are a little one-sided, so Peart’s well-rounded style of play will be a draw to the Eagles. His biggest weakness is a lack of strength, but an NFL conditioning program should be able to fix that. He’s a perfect swing tackle that should be able to start relatively soon if Dillard isn’t up for the job.
Logan Wilson [NFL Draft Profile]
If the Eagles want to bolster their run defense, Wyoming’s Logan Wilson is the best man for the job. He’d thrive in a different era of football, as he’s a ferocious north-south runner with great vision and tackling skills. He can be effectively utilized as a blitzer, but his struggles in coverage should push him down into the late third. Despite the NFL’s pass-happy nature, there is still a role for a guy like Wilson in today’s NFL. While he lacks superstar upside, he should be a solid rotational player at the next level.
Bradlee Anae [NFL Draft Profile]
Based on raw talent alone, Bradlee Anae is something of a steal at the end of the third. He has the raw power to blow past offensive tackles and can hold up against the run. However, he’s still raw and is going to need to develop some additional pass-rushing moves. If the Eagles feel they can fine-tune his game, he should be a starter by his second year in the league. Even if he doesn’t improve his all-around game, he should still be a solid rotational defensive end.
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