We often state that there are no dull moments in football. When we do so, we're typically discussing the roller-coaster nature of the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles certainly keep us on our toes, don't they?
College football is certainly another animal. If you're looking for entertainment, you won't have to overexert yourself to find some. Not only are the games phenomenal, but the politics and controversy that seemingly follow the sport will put any reality TV show to shame.
Who deserves the Heisman Trophy? How do we rank these teams? Now, there's another angle. Which teams should be placed in the now-expanded College Football Playoff bracket?
Once the CFP ends and another champion is crowned, we watch the Senior Bowl and another Super Bowl. Then, it's time for the NFL Combine, Pro Days, and Top 30 visits.
The offseason is where college football and the NFL's winding roads intersect. Together, two sports lead us to another NFL Draft.
Mock drafts are all the rage until then. We've dropped our share. This time, we've tried another angle, a simulation where all the prospects are from the SEC or Big Ten conferences.
We have even added a couple of backup options for each selection.
Round 1, Pick 32 - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee Volunteers
We've stated through the entire process that we believe edge rusher is the Eagles' most pressing need, and that is reflected in our selection of James Pearce, the best available option at that position in our first sim we ran here.
He'd be a wonderful addition to a good young defensive front, and the best part about it is he'd provide quality snaps from Day 1.
Backup options: Nic Scourton, EDGE (Texas A&M Aggies) or Josh Conerly Jr, OT (Oregon Ducks)
Backup options include the best edge rusher available if Pearce has already been taken. The only reason we'd probably do in another direction would be if Philly added a tackle (Lane Johnson's eventual replacement). Keep an eye on Josh Conerly. He's a real option at the 32nd selection.
Round 2, Pick 64 - Marcus Mbow, Tackle, Purdue Boilermakers
Philly met with Marcus Mbow as one of their Top 40 visits. They take those seriously. Don't be shocked if he's available and the Birds invest a pick in him.
Backup options: Shemar Turner, Defensive Interior (Texas A&M) or Kyle Kennard, EDGE (South Carolina Gamecocks)
We wouldn't have an issue if Philly addressed the interior of their defensive line here, or if they went with an edge rusher in Round 2 if another need was addressed on night one of the draft.
Round 3, Pick 96 - Vernon Broughton, Defensive Tackle, Texas Longhorns
We ran a draft sim a few times. Vernon Broughton was always available at pick 96. We don't know if that will actually happen, but if things played out that way, landing him at the end of Round 3 is the textbook definition of 'valuable'.
Backup options: Cameron Williams, OT (Texas) or Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE (UCLA)
If an offensive tackle hasn't been added at this juncture, we'd suggest taking one by Round 3 at the latest. We also have no issue with doubling up and taking a pair of edge rushers with the first few picks, as we mentioned in an earlier mock simulation.
Round 4, Pick 134 - Zy Alexander, Cornerback, LSU Tigers
Zy Alexander gets a lot of fourth-round grades, and frankly, we don't inderstand why. He seems more like a Day 2 prospect, but you know how the game goes. Sometimes, good players slide during the selection meeting.
Backup options: Lathan Ransom, Safety (Ohio State Buckeyes) or Sebastian Castro, Safety (Iowa Hawkeyes)
Some might say taking a DB this late in the process borders on negligence. While that may be true, we were exploring the 'take the best player available' approach. Fear not, if a defensive back is the move in Round 4, guys like Zy Alexander, Lathan Ransom, and Sebastian Castro will make you forgive Philly for not addressing the secondary earlier.
Round 5, Pick 161 (from Houston Texans) - Gunnar Helm, TE (Texas)
Jake Briningstool would be hard to miss during third-down or goal-line situations. He stands at six-foot-six and weighs 215 pounds.
During his final season at Clemson, he collected 49 receptions, 530 yards receiving, and seven TDs, giving him 127 snags, 1,380 yards receiving, and 17 trips to the end zone for his four-year, 48-game career.
Backup options: Benjamin Yurosek, TE (Georgia), O'Donnell Fortune, CB (South Carolina)
The fourth or fifth round is as good a time as any to snag a tight end, and Briningstool might be the best available at this draft stage. Backup options, however, include TE Mitchell Evans of Notre Dame. A DB like O'Donnell Fortune (South Carolina) also makes sense if the Birds haven't drafted one already.
Round 5, Pick 164 (from Lions through Browns) - Kalel Mullings, RB (Michigan Wolverines)
Philly seems fairly well stocked at tailback now, but then you look a little closer. Saquon Barkley needs help because, as great as he is, the Eagles worked the heck out of him last season.
We like Will Shipley, but as you know, this is one of football's most punishing positions. A.J. Dillon is coming off an injury. We aren't sure about what Lew Nichols and Tyrion Davis-Price offer.
Adding another pair of young legs feels like a good idea. Kalel Mullings is a workhorse.
Backup options: Trevor Etienne, RB (Georgia), Kyle Monangai, RB (Rutgers)
Here are a couple of other nice tailback options. Trevor Etienne and Kyle Monangai are two other good options at this juncture.
Round 5, Pick 165 (from Washington Commanders) - Isaac TeSlaa, WR (Arkansas Razorbacks)
There isn't a better wide receiver duo than A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Yes, that includes the guys who are down in Miami.
Parris Campbell is gone. So is Britain Covey. Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson have left much to be desired so far.
We're taking Isaac TeSlaa here. He didn't get a ton of opportunities at Arkansas. He snagged 62 receptions in 25 career games. That resulted in 896 yards and five trips to the end zone.
Backup options: Connor Colby, Guard (Iowa), Cody Lindenberg, Linebacker (Minnesota)
We expect the Birds to use the final selections of the fifth round to add depth options. Another interior lineman wouldn't hurt. Adding a linebacker could also be a wise move. Remember... Nakobe Dean may miss the first portion of the coming regular season.
Round 5, Pick 168 - Danny Stutsman, LB (Oklahoma Sooners)
In keeping with the theory about depth options, we'll throw another linebacker's name out for the sake of argument. Danny Stutsman could provide another body for the special teams unit. He's also a decent backup.
He appeared in 47 career games over four seasons (2021-24). 376 total tackles, eight sacks, and three interceptions were the result. One of those interceptions resulted in a pick-six. He also has four career forced fumbles on his career resume.
Backup options: Tyler Cooper, Guard (Minnesota), Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
Good players will be available in the latter rounds. Here are a couple of ideas about the type of talents who could provide value on Day 3.
Tyler Cooper needs to get stronger for the pro level, but we trust him with Jeff Stoutland. Robert Longerbeam is a five-foot-11, 178-pound DB who could serve as a backup slot corner. Philly needs one after Avonte Maddox's departure.
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