There's still one college football game remaining, and the NFL draft order isn't even set. Yet, with the offseason already a week old for the Eagles, it's not too early to look ahead.
In Version 1.0 of our first-round mock, we're taking a close look not only at team needs, but also the tendencies of their front offices. And while we're not formally projecting any trades, we identify a spot in the top five that's worth watching.
Of course, we have the Eagles' pick — currently scheduled for No. 21 — though with the combine and free agency still ahead, this is more a rough approximation than it is a prediction.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
QB Joe Burrow, LSU
They'll listen to offers, and EDGE Chase Young is a consideration here as well, but passing on Burrow would be a huge mistake after he produced possibly the greatest season by a college quarterback ever with a 77.6 completion percentage, 5,208 yards, 55 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions.
2. Washington
DE Chase Young, Ohio State
Not only is Young arguably the best prospect in the draft at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds and coming off a 17-sack season. He also fills a need with Washington switching to a 4-3 defense and EDGE Ryan Kerrigan turning 32 in the final year of his contract.
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3. Detroit Lions
DL Derrick Brown, Auburn
A case can be made for CB Jeff Okudah here, as Darius Slay's future with the team is up in the air. However, GM Bob Quinn has a history of prioritizing D-linemen, and Detroit's pass rush was abysmal in 2019 — second only to Miami for fewest sacks. 6-foot-5, 318 pounds, Brown can wreak havoc up the middle, but possesses the athleticism to attack the edge as well.
4. New York Giants
LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Wouldn't be surprised to see an offensive tackle creep up here given the premium on the position and Giants' investment in QB Daniel Jones. GM Dave Gettleman often gravitates to physical specimens though, and Simmons' freakish athleticism — 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, 4.4 speed — would benefit the league's 30th-ranked scoring defense, whether he ultimately plays linebacker or safety. This might be a prime trade-down spot too, because...
5. Miami Dolphins
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
This sets up nicely for the Dolphins, provided nobody jumps ahead of them. If QB Ryan Fitzpatrick returns — he's under contract for another year — there's no pressure to rush Tagovailoa's recovery from a hip injury. And should another team trade up, Justin Herbert is still on the board. No matter what, Miami gets its franchise quarterback.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Early indications are Philip Rivers could be back under center in 2020. If not, a veteran replacement seems plausible, as there's a good enough core already in place to return to the playoffs next season. Either way, the Chargers need to protect their quarterback better, so the top offensive lineman on the board is their man.
7. Carolina Panthers
QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Cam Newton's health is a legit concern right now, yet David Tepper's unwillingness to commit to the former league MVP is notable. New owners often like to put their stamp on the franchise early, and with a new coaching staff in place, a new signal-caller is the logical next step — and Herbert's big arm would complement the Panthers' existing skill players nicely.
8. Arizona Cardinals
WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
What incredibly good fortune the Cardinals have their pick of wide receivers at this stage of the draft. Second-year QB Kyler Murray needs a reliable weapon on the outside. Lamb can handle the volume, finishing his three-year college career with 173 catches, 3,292 yards and 35 touchdowns, not to mention he's a perfect fit for HC Kliff Kingsbury's system.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
This roster has so many holes, it's difficult to identify the biggest. It probably isn't cornerback, either, but Okudah is the best player remaining here — perhaps even a steal at No. 9 — with the added bonus the Jaguars effectively get to undo the Jalen Ramsey trade. Fortunately, they have another first-round pick, too.
10. Cleveland Browns
OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
The Browns hired a new coach and GM, but regardless of regime, protecting QB Baker Mayfield will be paramount. Since it's Andrew Berry from the Eagles front office reportedly running the front office along with an offensive coach, you can bank on bolstering the O-line being the first order of business.
11. New York Jets
WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
The NFL's worst offense needs playmakers, so receiver is a no-brainer here. Tiggins is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds — a build GM Joe Douglas seems to prefer — and posted 115 receptions, 2,051 yards and 25 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Longtime owner Al Davis may be gone, but his old saying "speed kills" lives on in this pick. The Raiders need receivers, and Ruggs runs in the 4.2s. He could flourish in coach Jon Gruden's offense, as venerable deep threat Joey Galloway did with the Buccaneers in the 2000s.
13. Indianapolis Colts
DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
For better or worse, the Colts appear to be stuck with QB Jacoby Brissett for the time being. No sense investing in receivers then. Instead, assembling a great defense is the focus, and plugging the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Kinlaw in the middle would reap immediate benefits.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
S Grant Delpit, LSU
LB Devin White was such a hit in 2019, the Bucs decide go right back to the LSU well. Tampa's defense is young and improving, but ranked 30th against the pass. Delpit brings a big body (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and versatility to the secondary.
15. Denver Broncos
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
After winning four of five to start his career, there will be a lot of pressure on QB Drew Lock to cement himself as the franchise quarterback in Denver. GM John Elway can give him some help, especially if Jeudy — arguably the best receiver in the class — somehow slides this far.
16. Atlanta Falcons
DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
GM Thomas Dimitroff and HC Dan Quinn bought themselves another year with a stellar finish, but it's only a stay of execution if they don't improve the defense, particularly a pass rush that tied for the second-fewest sacks in the league. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Epensea registered double digits the last two seasons.
17. Dallas Cowboys
CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
The Cowboys have so many key free agents, it's impossible to say what their needs will be come April. Owner Jerry Jones likes to make a splash though, and Henderson's long arms and 4.3 speed not only project well at the next level, but the pick will make headlines, too.
18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh)
OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
After getting their quarterback at No. 5, it's time to protect him. The Dolphins use the pick they got from the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to upgrade one of the worst offensive lines in football with Wirfs, who's ready to start from Day 1. And Miami still has one selection left.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago)
CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
A former DB himself, this is where GM Mike Mayock's presence is felt. Fulton is somebody a defensive coordinator can man up on the opposition's best receiver and forget about him. If he lasts this long, the Raiders' pick should be in within three minutes of being on the clock. The pick, by the way, comes from the Khalil Mack swap.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
The Jaguars continue going about writing the wrongs of the Tom Coughlin era, this time using the pick from the Ramsey trade. After wasting Dante Fowler and potentially running off free agent-to-be Yannick Ngakoue, Gross-Matos is another impressive physical specimen (6-foot-6, 264 pounds, 4.4 speed) for the revolving door at end.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Laviska Shenault, Jr., Colorado
Cornerback is certainly on the radar here should Henderson or Fulton drop, or if Paulson Adebo rises. But receiver is obviously a need too, and Shenault can do it all. He's a big, strong target at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with impressive hands, yet athletic, capable of gaining yards after the catch and lining up outside, in the slot or pretty much anywhere in the formation. And with receivers going quickly, the Eagles may not want to wait for Round 2.
22. Buffalo Bills
DE Curtis Weaver, Boise State
23. New England Patriots
S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
24. New Orleans Saints
CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
25. Minnesota Vikings
DT Raekwon Davis, Alabama
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
RB D'Andre Swift, Georgia
27. Seattle Seahawks
DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State
28. Baltimore Ravens
LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
29. Tennessee Titans
OLB K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
30. Green Bay Packers
WR K.J. Hamler, Penn State
31. Kansas City Chiefs
RB J.K. Robbins, Ohio State
32. San Francisco 49ers
CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford