Top 5-ish players Eagles should completely avoid in 2023 NFL Draft
Is anyone else sweating? Sure, it’s springtime, and we knew the weather would be warmer at some point. That doesn’t feel like what this is though. This feels like perspiration caused by knowing the Philadelphia Eagles have two picks in the first round and one of those choices comes at the tenth overall selection. We won’t be in the war room. We obviously don’t have the power to make either selection, but we think about this every day.
These are unique sets of circumstances. The Eagles have never represented the NFC in the Super Bowl and then made an about-face to make one of the first ten selections during the NFL Draft two months later. The questions are about how they spend the capital.
Vice president/general manager Howie Roseman has often played the long game at draft time. Every choice is made with the future or the next three seasons in mind. There’s a theory that’s being tossed around though. Phrases like ‘bonus selection’, ‘elite offense’, and ‘dynamic playmaker’ have often been used.
People wonder if this might be the one time Howie’s draft strategy looks a bit out of character. Just this one time, might he be thinking ‘Win now’? We wouldn’t bet on it, and if we were to wager we’d rule out at least three prospects.
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Here’s a short list of players that deserve top-ten and/or first-round grades, but don’t expect them to wind up being Eagles.
With one week remaining until draft time, the cream of the crop has established itself. If there’s a run at quarterbacks early, which is a very real possibility, the Eagles should be able to land one of the top two prospects at their position at ten.
But, we have taken it upon ourselves to rule a few guys out.
Bijan Robinson, running back (Texas)
Let’s stop the madness. It isn’t happening, nor should it. Can we finally take Bijan Robinson off of some of your lists?
Five years after Saquon Barkley was taken second overall, he has clearly lost two steps. Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall selection in 2016, is cooked. Both of those guys were seen as being better than Bijan.
So far the best arguments we have heard for taking the former Texas Longhorn at ten sound something like this: “If all we’re getting is five years, at least we’re assured of five phenomenal seasons”.
Seriously… Is this where we are?
If you’re looking for a more compelling argument, try this. Bijan Robinson made a lot of BIG 12 defenders look foolish in small spaces, but he doesn’t have the breakaway speed to pull away from defenders at football’s highest level.
Heck, the Longhorns’ second-string tailback will be drafted as well. You noticed that, right? Bijan played in a conference where no one played defense, and contrary to some of your opinions, the Eagles didn’t lose Super Bowl LVII because Robinson wasn’t on the roster.
You can also make the argument that tons of tailbacks would look great behind Philly’s O-line. The tenth-overall selection would be better spent elsewhere.
Peter Skonronski, offensive tackle (Northwestern)
Two statements that are seemingly contradictory to one another can both be accurate. Peter Skoronski is all the evidence that you need to prove that statement’s accuracy.
Skoronski is seen as a top-ten talent. Some also believe he’d be available at the 15th selection. He’s gifted AND, at times void of the necessary athleticism you’d like to see. His hands are violent, but his arms are short. He was one of the nation’s best tackles at the NCAA level, but he also probably grades out as an NFL guard.
If the Eagles landed Peter Skoronksi at the tenth-overall selection, fans and the media would be elated AND disappointed depending on who you talk to. Frankly, it feels like the Eagles favor Paris Johnson.
Again, this is a first-round talent. He may not even be on the board when the Eagles are finally on the clock, but if we aren’t totally sold on someone or we experience any doubt, shouldn’t we avoid using the tenth pick to draft them? That’s all we’re saying.
Jaxon Smith-Niiba, wide receiver (Ohio State)
We haven’t heard constant chatter about the Eagles taking a wide receiver with a first-round selection. Still, we have heard Jaxon Smith Njiba’s name too often to ignore it.
Let’s end this. THE EAGLES WON’T TAKE A WIDE RECEIVER WITH A FIRST-ROUND SELECTION. Though a prospect with Smith-Njiba’s talent would make Philly’s offense unstoppable, there are too many roster needs to splurge here at ten, and he won’t be available at 30.
Bryan Bresee, defensive tackle (Clemson)
There’s always the draft-day theory that the Eagles will consider strengthening the trenches, especially along the defensive line’s interior. Bryan Bresee’s grades, however, don’t warrant the tenth or the 30th selection.
Taking him at ten would be a reach. He won’t be available when the Eagles are on the clock at 30, and if he is, there will be tons of questions about why that’s the case. There’s also the fact that he isn’t much of a pass rusher and he dealt with some injury.
Bresee wasn’t in the best of shape in 2022, but that’s understandable because he and his family dealt with the loss of his sister. That would be tough on anyone Still, some say the word is he should have returned to Clemson to play one more season.
He’ll be a good professional, but we don’t know if he’ll be great.
Any cornerback graded as a first-rounder
This draft class has some talent at the cornerback position. The Eagles have been linked to a few prospects, but they have Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox at the top of their depth chart, and they aren’t desperate at the position by any means.
We’d rather see them coach up Zech McPhearson, Mario Goodrich, or Josh Jobe. They also have Greedy Williams in the fold now. They have bought themselves some time here.
They don’t need a cover guy in Round 1. That probably means that we can rule out seeing Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, Joey Porter, Emmanuel Forbes, or Deonte Banks in midnight green. They could take a corner on day two or three of the draft if they’re interested. There will be a contrast in talent levels, but there are legitimate options.
