Teams can get well quickly in the NFL draft if they properly assess the available talent. So, it is, for the Eagles and the rest of the league in a draft that is top-heavy in quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive linemen and somewhat bereft of defensive linemen, edge rushers or cornerbacks.
It’s all about which teams are best prepared when the runs at those positions take place, pushing other players down draft boards.
Here is how the first round is shaping up irrespective of trades:
1. Bears (from Carolina); Caleb Williams, QB, USC >> Excellent arm, accuracy, superb decisionmaking and a flair for the dramatic. A “win-win” for the Windy City.
2. Commanders; Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington >> Super accurate and competitive, but club owner Josh Harris, … can the kid stay healthy with the players he has around him there?
3. Patriots; Drake Maye, QB, UNC >> Don’t see the Patriots trading out of this spot because Maye conjures up comparisons to Josh Allen and Justin Herbert.
4. Cardinals; Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State >> Had a great 2023 season with a less than ordinary quarterback.
5. Chargers; Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame >> Possibly the top talent in the entire draft. Would love to watch tape of him narrated by Jeff Stoutland.
6. Giants; J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan >> They are desperate for a quarterback, and there’s been a lot of chatter that McCarthy aced personal workouts.
7. Titans; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU >> So much speed, power, and explosion that I’d take him over Harrison.
8. Falcons; Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama >> Great talent with immense playmaking upside. Just too good for the Falcons to pass on.
9. Bears; Rome Odunze, WR, Washington >> Every tool in the receivers’ toolbox. He helped turn quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a first-rounder.
10. Jets; Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia >> If Jets don’t trade up for a receiver, this flex tight end with great hands, wheels and the ability to read coverages like Travis Kelce and George Kittle is a huge weapon.
11. Vikings; Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State >> One of the best pure players in this draft. Plays smart and angry. Destined for stardom.
12. Broncos; Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington >> OK, this isn’t a lock and the Broncos would be smart to go instead with an offensive lineman like Olu Fashanu of Penn State or a speed rusher such as Laiatu Latu of UCLA.
13. Raiders; Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State >> Great value here for the Raiders, who also like Penix.
14. Saints; JC Latham, OT, Alabama >> You can’t go wrong with this road grader. Excellent balance, power, and pedigree.
15. Colts; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama >> Best pure cornerback prospect on the board comes from the place where cornerbacks blossom.
16. Seahawks; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA >> He gets to the quarterback from literally everywhere. Solid piece for defensive-minded new head coach Mike McDonald.
17. Jaguars; Brian Thomas, WR, LSU >> Forget about Bowers, who would look good in Philly. The Eagles should seriously consider trading up for this playmaker.
18. Bengals; Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington >> Natural left tackle who always, always gets his man.
19. Rams; Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas >> He’s not Aaron Donald, but he’s aggressive, makes plays and is an excellent processor.
20. Steelers; Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia >> Great size, feet, and technique. It’s easier getting around a tractor-trailer than this guy.
21. Dolphins; Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois >> This guy plays downhill and impactfully, just as Christian Wilkins did before leaving in free agency.
22. Eagles; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo >> He has game, unquestionably. You’d just like to see him make plays against Michigan or Alabama, not Miami-Ohio or Buffalo.
23. Vikings (from Cleveland through Houston); Jared Verse, Edge, Fla. State >> Best bull rusher in the draft.
24. Cowboys; Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma >> Quick first step like Lane Johnson and tough to get around.
25. Packers; Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa >> Fills needs at cornerback and safety. DeJean or Kool Aid McKinstry.
26. Bucs; Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri >> Underrated pass rusher and football player who fills Bucs mold. Overpowered Mims last year.
27. Cardinals (from Houston); Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State >> If anybody can figure out a productive pass rushing role for Chop, it’s Jonathan Gannon.
28. Bills; Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia >> Not a No. 1 receiver but his quickness and route running are next level.
29. Lions; T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State >> Time after time he gets to the ball. Rarely gets beat.
30. Ravens; Graham Barton, OL, Duke >> This isn’t etched in stone, but the Ravens can use a man technically excellent at every – repeat every – position on the O-line.
31. 49ers; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson >> Raw with great ball skills. It won’t be long before he becomes a playmaker at SFO.
32. Chiefs; Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas >> With 4.21 turbo speed in the 40-yard dash, he can almost literally lift off.
