Todd McShea’s fictitious project gets the Eagles to do something they would never do

It can be difficult to look beyond this season when it feels like the Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for another trip to the Super Bowl.

Then again, it’s pretty exciting to think about what the Birds might do with the pick they got from the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft. It is currently set to be 5th overallthough this situation can change for better or worse with four matches left to play.

How can the Eagles benefit from this choice? Well, I feel pretty confident saying they wouldn’t do what Todd McShea suggests might happen in his country ESPN’s latest NFL draft simulation.

5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

This is a serious luxury pick for the 12-win Eagles after this pick was relegated by the Saints in the 2022 season. According to ESPN’s Stats & Information Research, the last time a team went to the Super Bowl (as ESPN’s FPI Drafts) then had a top-five Draft in 1992, when Washington won the championship and then drafted Desmond Howard fourth overall through a trade. -above. I considered Clemson defensive tackle Brian Pressey here, because GM Howie Roseman values ​​the inside defensive line, and pairing Pressey with Jordan Davis at center would give Philadelphia the run-stopping duo. However, slated as a free agent, Miles Sanders, this offense leans heavily on running backs (433 rushes, second in the NFL), and Robinson is a prospect of elite size, speed, power and elusiveness.

I know the “it’s too early to back down” arguments come, and I agree 99% of the time. But why spend so much on re-signing Sanders or bringing back another free agency when Robinson – who is an upgrade – is available here on a rookie deal? Robinson sailed to 1,580 yards and 18 TDs on the ground this season while breaking up 91 tackles. Bringing him down on the best offense in the league would be terrifying to every other team. Philly also has another first baseman down the plate…

After facing criticism for the selection being unrealistic, McShay defended himself on an ESPN broadcast:

“Yeah, I get beat up all day. I get it. He’s a running back. Why take him in the top five? Well, you’ve got Miles Sanders and Began Robinson up for promotion at that position. And Miles is about to go to free agency after this season. Why don’t you get a A smaller, better Miles version of an attack that focuses a lot more on the running game? And your job is to get the defenders to miss. 91 forced tackles is what Bejan achieved last year. I mean, he holds the ball very well, great skills on the ball. And he’s really good. In passing protection. So he’s a complete player. I get it, you can go in different directions, but if you’re focused on Jalen Hurts and this attacking and running game, why not bring in someone who has a chance to take you to another level? And that’s why Bijan is for me.” .

As long as Howie Roseman exists, I have serious doubts that the Eagles exist Ever Go back in the first round. And if they did, it certainly wouldn’t happen with a top five pick.

We now know that the Eagles are not investing significant resources in what is considered one of the NFL’s most fungible positions. It’s a situation they can take to try and get a little more given they have a mobile threat in their quarterback, running game coordinator/offensive line coach, and a strong offensive line blocking their run.

For more realistic options for picking the Eagles from the Saints, see BGN’s Ben Natan recently wrote about logical fits. The defensive line looks like a good bet given the mix of talent available and how the Eagles value building from the trenches. Not to mention Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh are all free agents after this year.

Speaking of the d-line, McShay had a more logical selection with the Eagles picking 31st in this form.

31. Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame

ESPN’s FPI claimed the Eagles won the Super Bowl on this show and rounded out the first day of the draft. After acquiring Bijan Robinson earlier, Philly will likely make the switch to the defensive side of the ball. Brandon Graham is in the final year of his deal, Derek Barnett ripped his ACL in September, and Robert Quinn is just a charterer after coming to town at the trade deadline. So while the Eagles lead the NFL in sacks (49), they’ll still be looking for a pass assist against Josh Sweet after the season. Foskey uses his stellar initial blasts to put offensive tackles on their heels, and he’s had 11 sacks in each of the past two seasons. Other spots that dropped champions should look into would be the secondary and linebacker.

For me, it’s hard to get much to offer a potential No. 31 away from the draft. But the value doesn’t seem out of control; Foskey is currently 27th on Pro Football Focus’ big board. Foskey has forced seven moves over the past two years, which is nice to see. The situation makes sense. The Eagle Methenics will be looking to retain Brandon Graham, a perennial Eagle, but there are question marks after him and a race. Can they really count on Barnett to play well and stay healthy? Could Taron Jackson and/or Janarius Robinson be anything?

McShay’s simulation is just one of many that we’ll be examining through late April. But one hopes the vultures will stop us from diving very Deep into the mock draft season even after they won the Super Bowl in mid-February.