2019 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles seven-round Mock Draft 2.0
![ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Auburn Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Auburn Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/72bfd8bec6b3066fe0243ef276f35541caa71d60c5682031ff6c25e741e4c3dc.jpg)
Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
Round 2, Pick 53
For a moment, there was a chance that the Eagles were going to snag a safety in the first round, but an unexpected drop off of a defensive lineman changed that scenario. So in this case, the Eagles make their 53rd selection Maryland’s Darnell Savage. First of all, great last name. Especially for the safety position. Second of all, the Eagles would get some excellent value here as safety could become an immediate need as early as next season.
Rodney McLeod is currently approaching a contract year. Andrew Sendejo is a new face in Philly, but he’s only here for a season. Malcolm Jenkins has been the unsung hero of the Eagles defense for the last five years, but he isn’t getting any younger. Now would be a great time for the Eagles to start re-building the back end of their secondary without being in a panic for the upcoming year.
Savage may be viewed as slightly undersized for the position, but he makes up for that with his physicality and experience. It’s no fluke that Savage was a four-year starter at Maryland. As tackling is viewed to be his strongest trait, he should fit right in with Jim Schwartz’s defense, as he tends to favor guys who are better in tackling, than they are in coverage.