The 2021 NFL Draft is now only nine days away, and while there hasn’t been any big news for the past week, there are a few little things worth noting. So that’s what we do here.
Eagles players collectively choose not to attend the voluntary portion of the off-season training
The players released the announcement through the NFL Players Association:
More than half of the teams in the NFL had already made similar announcements – and it feels like every team will eventually follow suit – so this was hardly anything groundbreaking for the Eagles players.
Obviously, the Eagles have a new coaching staff, and it also happens to be a very young staff, so those practices would likely have been beneficial for them to get their feet wet. But otherwise those training do not seem to be super beneficial for the players.
If you are wondering what the practice schedule would have looked like if the Eagles intended to attend, here’s how:
The NFL announced its off-season plans in a memo to the teams, with four weeks of virtual work, a week of on-field teaching starting May 17, then four weeks of OTAs and mini camping – with only mini camps required: pic.twitter.com/S8da4aCK7k
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2021
They shall must attend a mandatory mini camp in June.
How are Picks 1-11 going in the 2021 NFL Draft?
I will be publishing my only full first round trial on Thursday next week, but here I am currently on the top 11 picks before the Eagles pick 12th.
1) Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence: Key lock.
2) Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson: Key lock.
3) 49ers: North Dakota State QB Trey LanceThe 49ers gave up the 12th overall pick, a first round in 2022, a first round in 2023, and a third round in 2022 to go to this spot. I just can’t believe a team would be crazy enough to do that for a player like Mac Jones who offers very little impressive physical traits. If they already had the number 3 pick, and they said, “Well, we think he’s the best of the quarterbacks,” and then they just took him, then, okay. But to trade that package of guitar picks? I just can’t see it. The bet here is they moved to Lance or Justin Fields.
4) Falcons: Florida TE Kyle PittsThe Falcons are basically putting this pickup up for auction, but if they stick around, they’ll likely ride Matt Ryan for a while and bring the best player available, which is unfortunately a TE for them.
5) Bengal: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase: I was originally on “Team Protect Joe Burrow”, but I turned around. Chase, in my opinion, will have a greater impact on his career than any offensive lineman, so just bring him and build the O line with subsequent picks.
6) Dolphins: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle: Take every preliminary report with a grain of salt, but there is so much smoke around Waddle to the Dolphins that we’ll just get on with it.
7) Lions: Oregon OT Penei Sewell: The Lions feel like a strong trade-in candidate, as quarterbacks should still be available here. They have needs everywhere, especially with wide receivers, but this feels a bit too early for DeVonta Smith. If only the Lions made a choice, the addition of Sewell would give them a very strong line, although they would have to figure out who would play RT, between Sewell or Taylor Decker. This isn’t perfect, but for a team that is expected to be picked back into the top 10 next year, you just need to get the most valuable player. In my opinion, that’s Sewell.
8) Panthers: Northwestern OT / OG Rashawn Slater: Carolina has gaps all over their line, especially on the left. Slater gets the chance to play LT instead of guarding right away early in his career.
9) Broncos: Ohio State QB Justin Fields: The Broncos can also trade in for a quarterback, but having Fields still there at 9pm feels like a no-brainer.
10) Cowboys: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain: The Cowboys’ offense has the potential to be extraordinary. Their defenses are generally crap and they have a gaping hole in the corner.
11) Giants: USC OT / OG Alijah Vera-TuckerI like Dave Gettleman’s chances of building along the trenches, whether that’s with the first edge of the board, or along the OL. Vera-Tucker is a better prospect than any edge rusher in this design.
Should it play like above (spoiler: it won’t), the Eagles would have their choice between DeVonta Smith, Jaycee Horn, reaching for a defensive lineman, or trading with a team that loves Mac Jones.
The Eagles reportedly trade in, trade back, or remain in place
It has recently been reported that the Eagles are considering all of these options. Thanks guys.
I look forward to the concept happening now.
Follow Jimmy & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @JimmyKempski thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
Add Jimmy’s RSS feed to your feed reader