Philadelphia Eagles: Guesses, analysis on 2021 NFL Draft’s first 12 picks

The Philadelphia Eagles finally have their selection at the 12th pick.

11. New York Giants: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

After a busy free agency period, the Giants are making it clear that they are giving Daniel Jones a chance to succeed. Drafting Rashawn Slater would fit this offseason blueprint. The Northwestern product can play all five positions of the offensive line and has All-Pro potential at the guard spot.

The Giants spent a first-round pick on an offensive tackle last year, but the offensive line is still a position of need for New York. Placing Slater at right tackle or right guard makes sense for the organization.

12. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

With DeVonta Smith, Caleb Farley, and many other prospects available at 12, the Eagles opt to strengthen the defensive side of the ball by adding a potential shutdown cornerback in Jaycee Horn. The South Carolina product is a physical player who has the speed and ball skills to excel at the next level.

It’s unclear as to what specific type of defense Eagles DC Johnathon Gannon will bring to Philadelphia, but the ideal cornerback build is evident. Gannon loves playing press coverage, and his cornerbacks are typically tall, long, and physical players. Horn fits this archetype perfectly.

Gannon used to coach in Minnesota as a defensive assistant, so if he chooses to implement a ‘Mike Zimmer’ type defense that features press-man coverage, Horn would fit right in. More recently, Gannon was with the Colts who ran a ton of press Cover 3, and Horn’s playstyle would work there too.

The Eagles could go wide receiver here, but meetings with second-round wide receivers (Terrace Marshall and Kadarious Toney) hint at the fact that they’ll go defense with pick 12. Philadelphia could also use their draft capital to trade back into the first round and select a wide receiver.