Showing posts with label B.J. Ojulari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label B.J. Ojulari. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Philadelphia Eagles 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we will update our Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Philadelphia Eagles from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Eagles:

NFL.com - Daniel Jeremiah (2/21)

10. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

An edge rusher wouldn't surprise me here, but I think Witherspoon is the best corner in the draft. He reminds me a lot of former Eagles Pro Bowler Asante Samuel.

30. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

The way the Eagles do business, I'd be shocked if they left the first round with an offensive or defensive lineman.

USA Today - Nate Davis (2/20)

10. Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

A guy who can play up and down the line, Bresee (6-5, 300 pounds) fits the profile of a Philly first-rounder — and especially in a year when the team's defensive tackle depth will likely be decimated with Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph ticketed for free agency.

30. Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

A sizable corner (6-2, 205) with the ability to press, he could potentially plug into a secondary that probably can't afford to keep CB James Bradberry.

CBS Sports - Ryan Wilson (2/20)

10. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Gonzalez, a Colorado transfer, is a big-time athlete who is still growing into the position. He has the size, strength and speed to line up against NFL wide receivers; he just needs to improve in run support.

30. B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

Ojulari, whose brother played at Georgia and plays for the Giants, had a solid campaign for the Tigers, and he has many of the same explosive qualities that made his brother so hard to block for the Bulldogs. Ojulari could end up being better than Azeez, and that's saying something.

The Draft Network - Keith Sanchez (2/20)

10. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

The Eagles came up just short in the Super bowl and played well offensively. The one part of their game that did not perform as well as they would like is their run game. So with this pick, the Eagles chose to improve that by adding one of the best running backs to enter the draft in years. Robinson is a game-changer and the Eagles embrace the fact that they are simply going to have to be able to outscore any opponent to win the Super Bowl.

31. Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh

The Eagles have made it clear to the NFL that they value the defensive line position. This philosophy has proven to work as they had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL and made it to the Super Bowl. Last year they drafted one of the biggest defensive linemen in the draft Jordan Davis and this year, I think they draft Calijah Kancey. Kancey is an undersized defensive lineman, but he makes up for it in explosiveness and will have a true impact along the defensive front. Kancey has non-traditional size but I believe he will have a big impact for the Eagles.

SI - Kevin Hanson (2/17)

10. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Witherspoon has put himself into the CB1 mix, although he's the second off the board in this mock. The three-year starter is a confident, smart and physical cornerback with outstanding ball skills. He finished last season with three interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Given that James Bradberry is scheduled to become a free agent in March, and Darius Slay will be a free agent after next season, cornerback is a position that the NFC champs could address with one of their first-round picks.

30. Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

White played tight end for Old Dominion in 2018, transitioned to defense in '19 and then ODU didn't play football in '20. He transferred to Georgia Tech for the '21 season and had his most productive season (14 TFLs and 7.5 sacks) in '22. While he's relatively new to the defensive side of the ball, he's extremely athletic for a 280-pound edge defender. Considering the way the Eagles rotate their defensive linemen, Philly would have the benefit of utilizing White in a way that maximizes his development.

The Athletic - CFB Writers (2/17)

10. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Porter started 31 games over the past four years and developed into a shutdown corner. His physicality initially caused him problems in college, but improved in his ability to eliminate penalties while not losing his edge. Porter had 20 pass breakups and 113 tackles during his collegiate career. He grew up in NFL locker rooms and has dissected the game with his dad for as long as the younger Porter can remember. With this selection, he'll become the first Penn State defensive back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

30. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

I really wanted Bijan Robinson, but since no trades are allowed in this mock draft I turned to the linebacker talent pool. Expect Simpson to turn heads at the combine. A member of Feldman's Freaks List, Simpson could be yet another valuable weapon on an Eagles defense that looks to be loaded for years to come.

ESPN - Todd McShay (2/15)

10. Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

The loaded Eagles went to the Super Bowl for good reason, and GM Howie Roseman's focus on building out from the trenches proved valuable. But now, they could lose three of their top four defensive linemen in terms of snap counts to free agency, including Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox up the middle. Roseman drafted Jordan Davis in Round 1 last April, and bringing in Bresee to pair with him could shore up an important unit for the team. Bresee has fantastic upper-body strength to slow down opponent run games and work through blockers as an interior pass-rusher.

Philly might have had 14 wins, but it will have a lot of offseason concerns to address, mainly on defense. Joining Hargrave and Cox with expiring contracts are James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Brandon Graham, Robert Quinn, Kyzir White, T.J. Edwards, Marcus Epps and Isaac Seumalo, so there are a lot of directions to go here. I also still like the idea of Texas' Bijan Robinson in Philadelphia, with Miles Sanders headed to free agency, but it's really, really early for a running back, and the defense is going to have all those holes to plug. Remember, the Eagles also have a second first-rounder.

30. Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

It has been a while since the Eagles were first on the clock at No. 10, when they took a defensive tackle (Bryan Bresee). Now Philadelphia pivots to the other side of the ball but stays in the trenches. The Eagles have Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata under contract for three more years, but Harrison could provide depth and perhaps help out on the interior, where the team might lose a couple starters this offseason. He walls off defenders and has allowed just two sacks over three seasons. And perhaps more importantly for Philly's offense, he has blown just seven run blocks over that time.

San Diego Union Tribune - Eddie Brown (2/15)

10. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Jalen Hurts had to carry the entire offensive load with his arm and legs in the Super Bowl, while both Miles Sanders and Boston Scott face free agency. Few things are certain at this point, but I'm fairly positive the Doak Walker Award-winning Robinson will be the first running back selected in late April (positional bias will likely keep him from going inside the top-10). He's an all-around threat who is light on his feet considering his size (6-foot, 215 pounds) and features home-run ability.

30. Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

GM Howie Roseman added former All-Pros Robert Quinn (via trade) and Ndamukong Suh as stop gaps on the defensive line this year. White should be one of the top performers at the combine, where his draft stock will likely soar. A former tight end at Old Dominion, he's still developing his defensive chops, but his combination of size (6-5, 280) and speed doesn't come along every year.

NFL.com - Chad Reuter (2/13)

10. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

If Miles Sanders finds a new home in free agency, the Eagles could have interest in adding Robinson as a dual-threat weapon in their prolific attack. He slaloms through traffic inside and displays an upfield burst in the open field.

30. Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State

Philadelphia has not picked a defensive back in the first round since 2002 (cornerback Lito Sheppard), but the Eagles could end that drought if Chauncey Gardner-Johnson departs in free agency. Hickman lines up all over the field and brings a physicality to the position that will endear him to Philly fans.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

Check out more of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.

Cincinnati Bengals 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we will update our Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Cincinnati Bengals from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Bengals:

NFL.com - Daniel Jeremiah (2/21)

28. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

With Hayden Hurst heading for free agency, Mayer can step right into the lineup and win contested catches for the Bengals.

USA Today - Nate Davis (2/20)

28. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

The All-SEC performer can line up just about anywhere, including the slot, and is an effective defender in coverage and coming up to shut down the run. His 6-3 frame would come in handy in a division with TEs like Baltimore's Mark Andrews and Pittsburgh's Pat Freiermuth. A good chunk of Cincy's secondary is unsigned, including starting safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell.

CBS Sports - Ryan Wilson (2/20)

28. Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

There was some thought that Harrison might return to Oklahoma for an NIL deal that was too good to pass up, but he's instead opted for the NFL. He's one of the top tackles in the class and now the question is whether he finds his way into Round 1 or goes early on Day 2.

The Draft Network - Keith Sanchez (2/20)

29. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

It's safe to say that the Bengals have a team that will be AFC contenders for the next decade. But there is clearly another level that they have to reach to consistently knock off the Chiefs. I believe the Bengals make the decision to add more offensive firepower and draft Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Drafting Gibbs does not mean moving on from Joe Mixon because Gibbs has such a versatile skill set that he can play on the field with Mixon and be used as a receiver out of the backfield.

SI - Kevin Hanson (2/17)

28. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

There were no first-round tight ends taken last year, but Washington is the third off the board here. (In fact, Oregon State's Luke Musgrave is in the first-round mix, as well.) That said, Washington is unique in that he plays almost like a third offensive tackle given his massive frame (6'7" and 270 pounds) and play strength. Washington is at his best as a run blocker, but he would provide Joe Burrow with a massive target in the red zone and down the seam.

The Athletic - CFB Writers (2/17)

28. B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

Cincinnati has done well to bolster its defensive front through free agency, but with big pay days on the horizon for the likes of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, among others, the Bengals won't have that same luxury in the coming years. I'm tempted to take Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, but Burrow proved his team can take a one-year flyer on someone like Hayden Hurst and make it shine. And with the current slate of QBs in the AFC, you can never have enough pass rushers.

ESPN - Todd McShay (2/15)

28. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

I wouldn't count out an offensive lineman here, but think about how a standout tight end could elevate this offense to another level. Joe Burrow threw only 92 passes to tight ends in 2022, sixth fewest in the league, and now Hayden Hurst is off to free agency. Cincinnati could really use a top-tier pass-catcher there to open things up more on the outside for the Bengals' trio of wideouts, provide a security blanket for Burrow over the middle and stretch the seam for chunk plays. With a big 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame, Kincaid is coming off two straight seasons with 500-plus yards and eight TDs.

San Diego Union Tribune - Eddie Brown (2/15)

29. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

The Bengals need to learn from the Super Bowl champion Chiefs and put every possible resource into shoring up the offensive line in order to support their elite quarterback. Wright's a four-year starter who has improved every season in Knoxville. Wright only allowed one pressure when he faced off against Alabama's Anderson in a 52-49 Volunteers' victory and was consistently dominant throughout Senior Bowl practices.

NFL.com - Chad Reuter (2/13)

28. Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State

Mauch showed during Senior Bowl week that he could play anywhere along the offensive line. That sort of versatility would have come in handy for the Bengals during the playoffs after they lost both starting tackles (including Jonah Williams, a free agent after the 2023 season) to injury. Putting Mauch and his former Bison teammate, Cordell Volson, on the same NFL O-line does NDSU proud.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

Check out more of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Dallas Cowboys 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we will update our Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Dallas Cowboys from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Cowboys:

CBS Sports - Wilson (9/7)

23. Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland

Duncan looks the part, though he'll need to add weight at the next level. And while the Cowboys need depth at WR, the loss of Tyron Smith was a reminder that there was very little margin for error along the offensive line, too. Forty-year-old Jason Peters will be the stopgap, but bolstering the unit is a priority, even after using a 2022 first-rounder on Tyler Smith.

The Draft Network - Crabbs (9/5)

21. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon

Replacing Leighton Vander Esch has been on the Cowboys' radar for a little while now and getting to dial in another physical hammer makes all the sense in the world. Noah Sewell allows the Cowboys to have the flexibility to continue moving Micah Parsons around as they desire, meaning they're maximizing two roles on the defense with one addition.

Sporting News - Iyer (9/3)

22. B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

The Cowboys have Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons power their pass rush most but also could use a versatile and often explosive piece to move around from the SEC. They get in Ojulari, the brother of the Giants' Azeez.

SI - Hanson (8/31)

22. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Micah Parsons was not only NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year but a First-Team All-Pro selection as he led the Cowboys with 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. But both Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr are on one-year contracts for the 2022 season. Adding Simpson to the linebacking corps would help allow Dallas to free up Parsons to be utilized more as a pass rusher. Like Parsons, Simpson is a versatile defender and freakish athlete (he runs the 40-yard dash in the high 4.3s).

The Athletic - Baumgardner/Tice (8/31)

29. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

The Cowboys have some very solid hands in the secondary right now. One way to make sure it stays that way, as players age, is to continually replenish. Smith isn't a terrific athlete, but he's a very good cornerback who is tough to beat — he allowed only 15 receptions last season. And he'll keep getting better.

The Draft Network - Weissman (8/29)

21. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

The Cowboys struck gold when they drafted Micah Parsons in 2021. The do-it-all linebacker proved that he can excel as an edge defender or as a stand-up off-ball linebacker—his versatility greatly helped the Dallas defense. That being said, the team is still in search of a pass rusher opposite Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. After they failed to re-sign Randy Gregory, the need has grown. Nolan Smith is a bit undersized, but he is twitchy, powerful, and is as violent as they come.

Pro Football Network - Fragozza (8/27)

23. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Fifty-five receptions, 1,099 yards, eight touchdowns. Those numbers don't exactly scream "NFL," especially when you realize they are over a two-year span. So why is Quentin Johnston the fourth receiver off the board in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft?

6'4", 215 pounds, 42" vertical, and a 4.4 40-yard dash. Now those are NFL numbers. We need to see Johnston put it all together in 2022, and if he does, he could go as high as the second WR overall in the class.

ESPN - Reid (8/25)

29. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon

Dallas could use another wide receiver after trading Amari Cooper, but considering the franchise hasn't been shy about drafting linebackers in the first round in recent years, Sewell makes sense here. Adding the instinctive and physical hitter would free up Micah Parsons to work more off the edge. Sewell had 112 tackles and 4.0 sacks last season.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

More Dallas Cowboys content:

Also, check out more of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.

Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we will update our Green Bay Packers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Green Bay Packers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Packers:

CBS Sports - Wilson (9/7)

29. Jordan Addison, WR, USC

We're going to keep force-feeding the Packers Round 1 wide receivers until it actually happens. Addison, a Pitt transfer, is a special talent who would flourish with Aaron Rodgers. The big question, of course, is if Rodgers will retire after the 2022 season.

The Draft Network - Crabbs (9/5)

26. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

The Packers dip into the Georgia Bulldogs pool again because hey, why not? The wide receiver class is once again loaded and once again the run in the first-round misses Green Bay, so adding on a hybrid linebacker type to add into the mix alongside Preston Smith and Rashan Gary gives the Packers some added flexibility on the edge.

Sporting News - Iyer (9/3)

31. Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)

The Packers, much like the Ravens and Bills, are fine at tackle for now with David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, but given Bakhtiari's wear as he will become 30 soon, they need to develop someone who can start soon. At the worst, Nelson can stand out enough to have Green Bay think about sliding Jenkins inside.

SI - Hanson (8/31)

27. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Wilson is a versatile defender who had his best season in 2021 with seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, leading the Red Raiders in both stats. New defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will use Wilson as an outside linebacker and defensive end in his scheme, and Wilson (6'6", 275 pounds) has the length, power and athleticism that could push him into the first round if he takes another step in production and development as a pass rusher.

The Athletic - Baumgardner/Tice (8/31)

31. Brian Branch, S, Alabama

In 2020, Branch started three games at safety as a true freshman — for Nick Saban — on a national-title winner. Take a minute to think about all the depth 'Bama has in its secondary every year, remember Saban is as close to a living oracle as it gets with that position and understand why Branch's accomplishment is so impressive. Branch is a smart, savvy football player who's almost always on time. He probably could play either safety spot. An ascending talent.

The Draft Network - Weissman (8/29)

26. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Green Bay is going all in on creating a stonewall defense to help take the burden from Aaron Rodgers as he enters the twilight of his career. They addressed the first and second levels of their defense this past year and now look to add some young talent to their secondary.

Antonio Johnson is a versatile defender who has proven to be able to excel deep in coverage but also be a playmaker as a run defender in the box.

Pro Football Network - Fragozza (8/27)

29. B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

The younger brother of the New York Giants' Azeez Ojulari and a grandson of a Nigerian prince, BJ Ojulari has quite the lineage. He's a long and light pass rusher that wins with his speed. Ojulari's first step jolts opponents, and his sudden change-of-direction ability allows him to virtually disappear at a moment's notice. Just watch his ghost move as evidence.

ESPN - Reid (8/25)

30. Jaheim Bell, TE, South Carolina

Bell is a bit of a wild card, and he would have to put it all together this season to sneak into Round 1. I saw his standout performance in last season's finale against North Carolina live (five catches, 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and loved his game. A coach with South Carolina told me he has been used as an F tight end and even a bit at running back so far in camp, and "he blocks his tail off when in line." Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers targets his tight ends often, and Bell could be a playmaker for him.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

More Green Bay Packers content:

Also, check out more of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.