Three First-Round Draft Picks The Eagles Could Land in 2021

The Philadelphia Eagles in one of the strangest spots for an NFL Team. Despite a 2-4-1 record, the Eagles lead the NFC East. However, with a 2-4-1 record, the Eagles also have one of the worst records in football. Most teams that open the first seven weeks of the football season with just two wins are projected to finish with a top-5 pick. However, since the NFC East is so bad, the Eagles are fighting to make the playoffs. 

What makes the situation even more tricky is that the Dallas Cowboys (2-5), Washington Football Team (2-5), and New York Giants (1-6) are all in the hunt too. One game could change the makeshift of the draft or the playoff trajectory. With that said, the Eagles could be on pace to land a top-10, top-15, or top-20 pick in the NFL Draft. 

Top-10: Carlos Basham-DT/DE (Wake Forest)

Of course, anything is a stretch right now, so cashing in on Draftking Sportsbook PA right now would be a splash. However, if you are a believer that the Eagles could go on a long losing streak and land in the top-10, the defensive tackle/defensive end combo, Carlos Basham, out of Wake Forest is a safe bet. 

For starters, the Eagles need additional pieces on the defensive front. The team lost Malik Johnson to an injury earlier in the season. Basham is finishing up as a fifth-year senior, but is rising towards being a top pick in the draft. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive tackle has 28 ½ tackles for loss and 16 ½ sacks in his career.

Top-15: Patrick Surtain II-CB (Alabama)

This would be a safe pick for the Eagles if Surtain II feel this low. There are mock drafts out that have Surtain II as a borderline top-12 pick in the draft. He is the best cornerback prospect in the draft, which would be a huge pickup for the Eagles because there is a glaring hole at the position. 

The junior for the Alabama defense has been called a “lockdown defender” by numerous media outlets. Heading into the 2020 season, Surtain has made 29 consecutive starts and earned First Team Preseason All-American honors by ESPN. 

Top-20: Jaylen Waddle-WR (Alabama)

Now this would be an interesting pick. The Eagles selected Jalen Reagor in the first round this past draft, but with the lack of offensive firepower on offense, the Eagles could go back-to-back picks for the position. 

Waddle is one of the fastest players in the game right now, with some comparisons to Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, and Devonta Smith in terms of speed. By moving forward with Reago and Waddle, it would allow the team to finally move on from the contracts of Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery. 

The Eagles would be around this area in the draft only if the team wins the NFC East. With seven teams making the playoffs, that means that non-qualifying playoff teams would fill the draft slots at 1-16. If the Eagles made the postseason, and lost in the first round, the team would likely be around the No. 17 draft slot. Barring any foreseen winning streak, picking at No. 17 is probably the lowest for this team.