Eagles mock draft: Philadelphia strikes a deal with Detroit Lions

The Eagles trade back in the first round to acquire some future capital.

Philly keeps the 15th-overall selection in Round 1, and they land a superstar. They use the 18th selection as a bargaining chip and trade back, finding a partner on the Detroit Lions. They add picks 34, a 2023 third-rounder, and a 2023 fourth-rounder by throwing the 51st-overall selection to sweeten the pot. Here’s how that looks.

Here’s what they do at 15, 32, and 34.

Round 1, Pick 15: Jameson Williams, Wide receiver, Alabama

With a few of the top edge rushers and cornerbacks off the board, the Eagles do indeed draft another wide receiver in the first round. Jameson Williams is the selection. He may actually help them fix what’s been viewed as a massive hole across from fellow Crimson Tide alum DeVonta Smith.

Although they never played together at Alabama, they should find chemistry in Philadelphia. Williams has good hands and can make possession catches downfield with his six-foot-two frame. He also has the speed to create separation downfield and be a consistent deep threat.

He and DeVonta Smith in tandem create headaches for opposing defensive coordinators for years to come, making him as good a choice as any for the 15th-overall selection. .

Round 1, Pick 32: Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida

After trading with Detroit, the Eagles select Kaiir Elam with the final pick of the first round. While Elam isn’t being discussed as much as he probably should be, he possesses first-round talent and has high upside as well.

He’s six-foot-two and would be a nice complement to Darius Slay. He battled injuries during the 2021 college football campaign, but when healthy, he was one of the top corners in the nation and would make a good addition to the Birds’ secondary.