Philadelphia Eagles draft watch: A few experts say get a defensive tackle

To a lot of the NFL Draft experts it’s simple. The Philadelphia Eagles need to help their front seven and take a defensive tackle at pick 25.

You may want to get out of the mindset that you’re going to see less mocks as 2019’s version of the NFL Draft approaches. Everyone’s paying attention to the social media boards, and they’re perusing the search engines in hopes that it will pacify them until there’s a real selection meeting at the end of April. Philadelphia Eagles fans are no different.

We’ve heard Philly should take cornerbacks, running backs, edge rushers and linebackers, but a few members of the media who cover this team daily are of the mindset that ‘The Birds’ would want to take care of another area of need.

They say the Eagles should look in the direction of finding help at defensive tackle. It’s not a bad idea at all. Though Philly has quite a few defensive ends, it doesn’t seem as though they’re as stocked along the interior. Then, there’s the other thing.

What if Philly could shuffle a body or two out to spell Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson every now and then? Could you imagine Cox and Jackson being in during the fourth quarter and both of them being fresh? Both are getting a little older, and the Eagles should start being proactive in trying to conserve the two, for in-game situations and so they can help ensure both have longer careers.

Jimmy Kempski covers ‘The Birds’ for Philly Voice, and in his most recent mock he thought Clemson‘s former defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins, was a nice idea.

Here’s some of his take:

"Trade up! Let’s saaaaaay Oliver slips to, saaaaaay, the 18th overall pick, it would make sense for the Eagles to get aggressive and try to trade up to get him. A few weeks ago, we projected what the cost would be to make such a trade, and determined that historically speaking, the cost to move up from the mid-20’s into the teens was a third-round pick.Since the Eagles don’t have a third-round pick (thank you very much, Golden Tate), we figure it’ll cost one of the Eagles’ second-round picks, with a third-round pick coming back to the Eagles."

Will Brinson of CBS Sports goes with Mississippi State‘s Jeffery Simmons:

"(This is a) weird spot for the Eagles, who definitely don’t NEED help on the defensive line. They’re just in a good spot from a roster perspective right now, so why not grab a guy who is a top-10 talent, get a fifth year option on him and don’t have to worry about rushing him back to the field. It’s like the Sidney Jones plan but for the defensive line."

Joe Giglio of NJ.com says seeing the Eagles call a defensive tackle’s name at 25 is a very realistic possibility. He goes with Houston’s Ed Oliver. That seems unlikely unless ‘The Birds’ are willing to trade up, and Giglio acknowledges that.

Here’s how the scenario plays out in his mind:

"The Giants trade down, passing on the chance to land a quarterback at number 17, and allow the Eagles to take a defensive lineman that has Aaron Donald-like potential. The best defensive line in the NFL is solidified with this selection."

Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com is eyeing Jerry Tillery. Here’s the skinny:

"The options in play are Josh Jacobs, Chris Lindstrom, Johnathan Abram, Dexter Lawrence and Tilley, who is special as a person and a talent."

Should the Eagles go with a defensive tackle at 25? It’s not a bad option at all, and it’s safe. Could any of these guys be the pick? The debate table is wide open for this one.