Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kyzir White (43) celebrates with linebacker Haason Reddick (7) after a defensive stop against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles get defensive in latest mock draft

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/3/23

What do you get a team with 68 sacks? You get them more defense. According to the first mock draft from si.com , that’s exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles will do.

The Eagles could lose up to six defensive linemen in 2023. Robert Quinn, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh were never long-term solutions, but next season GM Howie Roseman needs to replace 29 sacks from Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Brandon Graham. Could he find them in South Bend?

Isaiah Foskey is a 6’ 5”, 265-pound edge-rusher from Notre Dame. He had 11 sacks in each of his last two seasons and is the all-time sack leader for the Fighting Irish. According to the website, Foskey had a second-round grade in June but they believe the Eagles will take him with the 10th pick in April.

Isaiah Foskey is #NotreDame's all-time sack leader. pic.twitter.com/YOfMOwq9Zs
— Inside ND Sports (@insideNDsports) November 19, 2022

Foskey is an explosive player with long arms and good instincts. He’s quick enough to cover tight ends and running backs but too often relies on athleticism rather than technique. He needs to work on his pass rush and play with more discipline.

Ideally, some NFL teams will trade up for a quarterback, and send down players like Clemson’s Myles Murphy or Will Anderson Jr. of Texas Tech. Foskey feels like a reach in the top ten.

Bryan Bresee is another long-armed defensive lineman linked to Philadelphia with the 31st pick. Bresse is a 6’ 4”, 304-pound interior lineman with excellent burst and good technique.

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced

5th ranked player on PFF's Big Board pic.twitter.com/a2ffLMEKWy
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2023

Bresee came to Clemson as the nation’s top recruit in 2020. He was the defensive rookie of the year as a freshman and was named All-ACC three times. His 2021 season was derailed by an ACL tear, but he was back in 2022 to help the Tigers win the ACC Championship.

The Eagles won’t be a championship team if they can’t get younger on the defensive line next year. The idea of spending two first-round picks on the defensive line may not be exciting, but it could be necessary.

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