The 2023 NFL draft is fast approaching, and even with the Eagles retooling during the first wave of free agency, the organization is doing its due diligence on potential prospects.
Thanks to some draft night moving and shaking from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.
Philadelphia is slotted to have just six picks, and the Eagles’ GM could look to add more assets by trading down from the 10th pick or No. 30 overall.
With the selection process just three weeks away, we’re looking at 15 prospects to watch if the Birds trade down.
1
Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee
Wright played left tackle and right tackle in college, but he was a full-time right tackle during Senior Bowl practices this week.
Big, strong, and with a ton of experience, Wright is a solid player.
2
Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, IOWA
A monster coming off the edge at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds with explosive power and violent hands, the Iowa star can also play inside at tackle. Van Ness posted 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks this year on his way to being named Second-Team All-Big Ten and dominated the competition while not starting a game for the Hawkeye.
GM Howie Roseman loves building up the trenches, and Van Ness can make an immediate impact there after 14 sacks over two seasons at Iowa.
3
Christian Gonzalez,CB, OREGON
4
Deonte Banks, CB,MARYLAND
Banks ran a 4.35 40 with a 42-inch vertical and 136-inch broad jump at the scouting combine. He’s a tremendous athlete and uses it to recover from potential mistakes.
5
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Listed at 6-2, 198 pounds, Porter is an aggressive cornerback that forced an incompletion on 38.2 percent of the throws where he was targeted in coverage this season.
6
Myles Murphy, DL, CLEMSON
At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Murphy has the size and Josh Sweat type of athleticism coming off the edge and wouldn’t be forced to be every down player in Philadelphia.
Murphy is versatile, splitting his time between standing on the edge and aligning in a four-point stance. He is stout at the point of attack in the run game but needs to become a more consistent tackler.
7
O'Cyrus Torrence , OL, FLORIDA
A monster run blocker (6-5, 337 pounds) with excellent size, Torrance is built for the Eagles’ downhill, power-based running attack.
He’d be a plug-and-play guy immediately if Philadelphia chose not to start Cam Jurgens.
Torrence is a massive offensive guard with excellent instincts and plays strength. In pass protection, he can bend his knees and play with balance. He has an immediate anchor and ample space for his quarterback to climb into the pocket.
8
Cam Smith, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA
A versatile defender with size, Smith played the cornerback and nickel positions with the Gamecocks. During his time in the SEC, the athletic cornerback logged 91 tackles, 18 pass deflections, and six interceptions through 33 games at South Carolina.
9
Kelee Ringo, CB, GEORGIA
Ringo started as a redshirt freshman on Georgia’s dominant National Championship defense, sealing the Bulldogs’ title win with a pick-six late in the fourth quarter.
Ringo allowed just a 40.7% completion percentage in coverage during the 2021 season, as a 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds with 4.3-4.4 speed.
That size-speed combination won’t make it out of the top 15.
10
Brian Branch, safety, ALABAMA
A free safety that can flourish in the slot, Branch plays a role perfect for modern NFL defenses.
After watching the defense suffer without Avonte Maddox, Branch would give Philadelphia the versatility they had with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the lineup.
Branch saw over 1,100 snaps in the slot over his career and is an exceptional tackler who brings elite run defense to the table in addition to his coverage skills.
11
Bijan Robinson, RB, TEXAS
Robinson would be riveting in this offense, even though that isn’t a position Roseman prioritizes early in the draft. The All-American is a top-five talent in this class and fits seamlessly in this run-heavy offense.
12
Calijah Kancey, DT, PITTSBURGH
A talented defender, Kancey would be the shortest defensive tackle on the Eagles’ current roster.
The Miami, Florida native was a unanimous All-American, the 15th in Pitt program history, and the first player to accomplish the feat since Aaron Donald (2013).
Kancey recorded 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 11 games.
13
Mazi Smith, DT, MICHIGAN
The 6-foot-3-inch 319-pounder topped all defensive tackles at the scouting combine with 34 bench press reps.
The 6’3″, 337-pound Smith is an athletic freak and will need his motor and effort to match is God-given abilities.
14
Anton Harrison, OT, OKLAHOMA
An Oklahoma Sooner like Lane Johnson, Harrison would provide elite depth to the Eagles’ deepest position.
Harrison has allowed just two sacks over three seasons while also only blowing just seven-run blocks over that time.
15
Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State
The athletic pass rusher earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a redshirt senior last season after totaling 36 tackles and five sacks in 12 games. McDonald (6-3, 236 pounds) recorded 27 sacks in his final three years with the Cyclones.
16
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Gibbs led the Crimson Tide with 926 yards on 151 rushing attempts for 6.1 yards per carry and seven touchdowns.
A dynamic dual threat that plays similarly to Alvin Kamara and Dalvin Cook, Gibbs led Alabama in receptions with 44 for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
