Eagles Mock Draft: 5 first-round targets for Philadelphia

Eagles 2022 draft prospect Aidan Hutchinson

Once upon a time, right around 12 years ago come April, the Philadelphia Eagles invested a top-15 draft choice in a defensive end from Michigan with the 13th-overall selection. That was Brandon Graham. He may have gotten off to a slower start than some would have liked. He’s had his share of ups and downs, but overall, he’s been one of the better decisions that this franchise has ever made.

As we prepare to enter the next stretch of the 2021 NCAA football season and begin talking about the College Football Playoff and eventually draft prospects, the Wolverines are relevant again. Part of the reason for that is their defense which features six-foot-six and 261-pound Aidan Hutchinson.

Through seven games of Michigan’s march to what they hope winds up being them taking their place at the top of the Big Ten, Hutchinson has already racked up 27 total tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble. There was also a matter of one of his sacks incorrectly being given to a teammate. Philly figures to move on from Derek Barnett in the offseason (or at least they should). They got nothing out of the Ryan Kerrigan signing, and B.G. may not return in 2022.

With guys like Josh Sweat and Tarron Jackson being young and raw, another body is needed as well as another pass rusher, but it must belong to someone talented. Hutchinson checks the appropriate boxes.

We didn’t mention Kayvon Thibodeaux of the Oregon Ducks because it’s safe to assume that he’ll be off of the board by the time the Birds are on the clock. If he is, Hutchinson serves as a nice consolation prize.