Way too early 2025 Eagles mock draft: Philly begins multi-position succession plan

They say players must retire, or the game of football will eventually retire them. No one has to ask any professional athlete what their preference is. Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce left their own terms after great careers as Philadelphia Eagles. Brandon Graham and Lane Johnson will do the same. Make no mistake about it though. That most certainly isn't the common outcome.

There are two ways to build an NFL roster. It can be done through the NFL Draft and free agency. The Birds have found success in finding a mix, but that recently got us thinking.

This 2024 Eagles draft class is exciting, but admittedly, we left Detroit feeling as though we wanted more. So, we checked out the 2025 class. What the heck? How about an early mock draft?

The 2024 Eagles draft class hasn't even touched the field yet, and we're already making guesses about the 2025 class.

The Eagles made eight trades during the 2024 NFL Draft and picked up tremendous capital in the first place. That ties them for the most by any team since 1990 as the the 2018 Patriots and 2023 Texans also made eight trades in those respective selection meetings.

Philly added nine Birds to the nest during the 2024 NFL Draft. They also own nine selections next year. While we don't know the portion of the rounds they'll make those choices in, we do know which rounds they'll be thrown on the clock in.

Sure, it's way too early to discuss next year's needs, but that won't stop us from making a few guesses anyway. Great players are aging. It ay be time to consider concession plans.

Round 1 - Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State

Josh Sweat is in a contract season. Brandon Graham is retiring after the current campaign. Need we say more? Philly needs a young edge rusher next offseason, and Patrick Payton figures to have a great year after being called upon now that Jared Verse is a member of the L.A. Rams.

Round 2 - Xavier Truss, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Georgia

A two-time College Football Playoff National Champion (2021, 2022) and 2023 Second-Team All-SEC nod, we most like Xavier Truss for his versatility.

He moves well despite being 320 pounds. He provides nice insurance should Philly's O-line endure any injuries.

Round 3 - Hayden Hansen, Tight End, Florida

Truthfully, we aren't sure about C.J. Uzomah. He and Albert Okwuegbunam are both free agents after this season, and frankly, we haven't seen a ton from Grant Calcaterra.

Hayden Hansen is a nice transition. He's also a threat in the red zone as evidenced by two TD receptions on only 12 receptions last season.

Round 3 (from Miami) - Tahveon Nicholson, Cornerback, Louisville

Tahveon Nicholson is small-ish, standing at five-foot-eleven and tipping the scales at 180 pounds, but he's someone who feels like a 4.4-second 40-yards dash guy. If you're looking for a physical comp, he's two inches taller than Avonte Maddox and about four pounds lighter of frame, but he's a good prospect if the plan is to move off of Maddox and Zech McPhearson next season.

Round 4 (from Detroit) - Jonah Monheim, OT/G, USC

Jonah Monheim is a six-foot-five, 300-pound prospect with versatility. He is expected to start at center for the Trojans this season but has played both tackle and guard during his tenure there.

We know the Birds love versatility, and Monheim brings that in abundance, but at the pro level, it's a fair ask to question if his future should be spent at the interior.

Round 5 - Brandon Robinson, RB, Georgia

We hope we're discussing an impressive season by Saquon Barkley at this time next season, but even if we are, we'll also be discussing Kenneth Gainwell's impending free agency. The five-foot-ten, 220-pound Brandon Robinson is a nice option, and with his frame, he could give Philly a workhorse.

Round 5 (from Houston) - DeVonta Smith, Defensive Back, Alabama

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. That's supposed to read 'DeVonta Smith', and yes. He really does play at Alabama.

Those are the only two reasons we need to make this choice. Hey, the last time Philly took a Tide standout with the same name, things worked out well, but if you need more tangible reasons, it would be wise for Philly to continue adding to their secondary with depth options.

Round 7 - Akheem Mesidor, Defensive End, Miami

If this Vic Fangio scheme works and remains the battle plan in 2024, guys like Akheem Mesidor will be needed in that defensive front as he's an anchor. He stands at six-foot-three. He tips the scales at 280 pounds.

No one is moving him off his spot if he decides to set the edge and/or wreak havoc.

Round 7 - Trezman Marshall, linebacker, Alabama

Truthfully, we're assuming Nakobe Dean and Devin White both enjoy good seasons after disappointing journeys through 2023. We won't lie though. We wonder what might happen if one of them doesn't.

Enter Trezman Marshall. He stacked 56 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2023, and he figures to build upon that showing in 2024. Make sure you watch him this season.