2019 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles seven-round mock draft 4.0
![CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 12: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers reacts to a call during their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 12: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers reacts to a call during their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/6e4915eff3bc04bb7c9c4199162a2756dc779b19b1345b6dcd36f3b1f5e14300.jpg)
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Round 1, Pick 25
Christian Wilkins has been mocked all over the place during these last couple of months. Sometimes, Wilkins is taken as early as a top-15 pick. In this case, he falls back to the Eagles at pick No. 25. Last month, Wilkins was a favorite pick for the Eagles’ first-rounder. Knowing that the Eagles could use some help at defensive tackle in terms of depth, taking the best defensive lineman available makes total sense.
If Wilkins drops to the Birds at 25, there is a very good chance they take him. In this scenario, the two top players available were Wilkins and Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons. Considering that Simmons is nursing a torn ACL currently, and is likely to miss his rookie season, it only makes sense for the Eagles to take the guy who is healthy and can develop and contribute now.
Wilkins notched his career-high for sacks in 2018 with 5.5 total. Not a glaring statistic for the guy, but his 14 tackles for losses will sure sway the Eagles decision to take him. As we’ve noticed in the past, the Eagles are alright with allowing Fletcher Cox to be the sack master, while his partner next to him is viewed as the run-stopper. In this case, Wilkins could be very helpful. Plus, he won’t be relied on to start right off the bat. He will get eased into the rotation.