Philadelphia Eagles 2022 full NFL mock draft: December edition

The Philadelphia Eagles develop their d-line with their 5th round picks.

Ali Gaye provides what the Eagles have needed from the very start of this draft: a rotational EDGE. As stated earlier, Derek Barnett’s future is uncertain and Brandon Graham is getting older, leaving Josh Sweat as the only notable edge rusher for the Birds.

While a late-round pick, this young man has the potential to develop into a solid defensive end and would pair well with the Eagles’ earlier pick in Travon Walker. At six-foot-six, 250 pounds, Gaye would be a very good mirror to the six-foot-five Josh Sweat. Gaye is very shifty, and can use his elusiveness and power to get behind the line of scrimmage.

After trading Zach Ertz this season, the Philadelphia Eagles are in need of a solid backup tight end, as their system for the past few years has relied on a lot of multiple-tight end sets.  Lucas Krull provides a tight end that the Eagles could definitely use due to the lack of depth they currently have.

His size alone should excite Eagles fans, as his six-foot-six frame will allow him to pull in contested catches easily and catch high passes that defenders may have no shot at. He has also played with Kenny Pickett at Pitt, meaning that, in this scenario, Pickett would have a reliable and familiar weapon for him to throw the ball to.

A THIRD Alabama player? Believe it or not, the answer is yes. Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith are going to see a lot more familiar faces around the locker room in this scenario, and DJ Dale is one of them.

The Eagles were rumored to be shopping Cox at the deadline, which would mean that moving on from the star defensive tackle would allow Dale to prove himself. While Dale still needs to do exactly that, he would have time to be coached up and grow into an NFL-caliber defensive lineman by the time he gets his shot.