Eagles take two from Texas in latest mock draft

The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Texas hoping to bring home the NFC East. According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Lone Star State could offer even more for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Eagles have two first-round picks in next year’s draft, their own and one from New Orleans. Here’s who Trapasso thinks they’ll take:

Round 1, Pick 9: Tyree Williams, Texas Tech (OLB/EDGE)

Williams is a 6-foot-6, 275 pound edge-rusher from Henderson, Texas. He played two years for Texas A&M before transferring to Texas Tech in 2020. He had 38 tackles and seven sacks for the Red Raiders in 2021 and was named Defensive MVP of the Liberty Bowl.

His 2022 season ended with a foot injury on November 12th. He declared for the draft on November 20th. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Wilson as the second-best defensive end in the 2023 NFL Draft.

According to the Draft Network, Williams is a fit for any scheme but is ideally suited for a 3-4 defense. He’s strong and athletic but his technique needs work.  He may  lack the speed needed to dominate from the edge, but he’s versatile enough to move inside.

The Eagles have six defensive linemen set to become free agents in 2023. If Philadelphia keeps the Saints’  pick, Williams makes a lot of sense.

Round 1, Pick 31: Bijan Robinson, Texas (RB)

Robinson is a six-foot, 215 pound running back from Tucson, Arizona . He was named MVP of the Alamo Bowl as a freshman by running for 183 yards and a touchdown on just ten carries. 

In three years at Texas, Robinson ran for 3,321 yards with 805 yards receiving and 39 total touchdowns. He’s the seventh-best draft prospect according to the Sporting News. 

Last week, Todd McShay of ESPN had Philadelphia taking Robinson with the fifth-overall pick. That’s never going to happen. The Eagles haven’t had a first-round running back since Keith Byars in 1986. 

NFL teams just don’t value running backs position like they used to. But with Miles Sanders about to hit free agency, getting Robinson with the 31st pick would be smart and maybe necessary.

Jalen Hurts is about to make a lot of money. A.J. Brown already makes a lot of money. Getting Robinson on a four-year rookie deal could make more sense than resigning Sanders. Hurts might enjoy throwing to a running back for a change.

Of course, mock drafts are meant to be fun. They constantly change, that’s why we like them. If this is how the actual draft works out, Philly fans should like that too.