Eagles 7-round NFL mock draft simulation: Two trades highlight Round 1

April begins, and the Philadelphia Eagles continue to prepare for an NFL Draft that is just around the corner.

We have officially reached April, meaning we are on the doorstep of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks, four picks during the first 100 selections, and six picks in total. While fans eagerly wait to see what they will do with those selections, the rest of us continue to guess.

Eagles’ General Manager and Vice President Howie Roseman enters another selection meeting. This year, he is tasked with replacing some key starters from the 2022 roster. They departed Philadelphia in free agency last month. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is gone. The same is true for running back Miles Sanders and safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson.

Future hall-of-fame center Jason Kelce, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, and defensive end Brandon Graham are all back for one more ride in 2023, a ride that might be their last. It’s time to make decisions about what happens when they leave.

Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, we made guesses. Unexpected trades occurred. Many of the names we’ve been paying close attention to left the board quickly. Every draft is full of surprises, and one fueled by a simulation is no different.

This one features a trade or two. Might we see that happen on draft day? Last year, the Eagles held three first-round picks on April 1st. Once we reached the selection meeting, trades had been made involving those picks, and Philly wound up making one first-round selection.

In other words, betting on Roseman maneuvering around the draft board is a safe wager, especially if there are no attractive options when Philly is on the clock and a move means they are able to acquire more draft collateral.