Dynasty fantasy football is a year-round affair. A sharp manager will be thinking about all aspects of the dynasty season. Those managers keen enough to look ahead will be the ones who can grab themselves an edge over the competition. Industry professionals and content creators will spend most of the dynasty off-season discussing incoming rookies and the related topic, the NFL draft.
We easily fall in love with the next workhorse running back or prototypical alpha wide receiver. But a manager in tune with the entire draft class will find themselves ahead of the game. Whether it is the next road-paving interior offensive lineman or genetic freak edge rusher, we can find ourselves at quite the advantage come April by building an entire picture of how the 2023 class will play out. Those who prepare ahead will not be often surprised at the outcomes.
Credit for the mock draft simulation goes to the PFF Mock Draft Simulator. Team needs are also generated from this site. Compensatory picks have not been assigned or included in this exercise.
2023 Season Recap
Fresh off of an appearance in Super Bowl LVII, the Eagles started the 2023 season red hot. With a 10-1 record through 12 weeks, Philadelphia was once again poised as the top contender in the NFC. Then, they inexplicably lost all momentum.
Whether you blame injuries, coaching, schedule, or leadership, the Eagles limped to a 1-5 finish and were blown out embarrassingly by the upstart Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
An offense resplendent with marquee names at the skill positions and a top-flight offensive line suddenly looked downright pedestrian. And, after a midseason change at the coordinator spot, the defense appeared alarmingly confused and disinterested.
Though head coach Nick Siranni ultimately survived the late-season implosion, the disastrous end prompted a massive shake-up on the coaching staff. Renowned offensive mind Kellen Moore was brought in to revive the offense. On the other side of the ball, former team advisor Vic Fangio was recruited to implement his infamous defensive scheme. Time will tell if these changes put the Eagles back on top or prolong an inevitable franchise reset.
2024 Mock Draft
1.22 Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Eagles fell off significantly after leading the league with 70 team sacks in 2022. As a pass-rushing unit, they produced just 43 sacks in 2023. Rumors abound about the team looking to shed salary by moving on from players like Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat.
Enter Laiatu Latu. The 6’5”, 265lb senior from UCLA is precisely the type of low-cost, high-impact player that Howie Roseman would love to build around. Paired with investments in Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith, Latu further bolsters the youth movement in the trenches.
With his size, speed, and technique, Latu is perhaps the finest pass rusher in the 2024 class. He should immediately impact an Eagles defense that needs major upgrades.
2.50 Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
With the first of two second-round selections, the Eagles look to bolster their wide receiving corps by selecting Burton. The speedy Alabama senior has the versatility to play inside or out and will project as an immediate upgrade in the slot. Look for the Eagles to be impressed by his SEC pedigree and reliability (appearing in 13+ games each of the last three seasons).
With studs like A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith currently atop the depth chart, this selection may seem like a luxury pick. However, upon closer examination, it is quite evident that Philadelphia is woefully top-heavy at the position. The aging Julio Jones, the pedestrian Olamide Zaccheaus, and the underperforming Quez Watkins are all set to test the market. Their collective departure would leave behind a significant pass-catching void. It’s an ideal time for the Eagles to restock the position in a class overflowing with receiving talent.
2.54 Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
It wouldn’t be a draft without the Eagles selecting at least one Bulldog, right? In Bullard, they acquire a fundamentally sound safety to fortify the backend of a shaky defensive backfield. The Georgia product is stout enough to jam a receiver or get home on a blitz. Yet, Bullard also has plenty of speed to stay engaged in downfield coverage.
Joining Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown, Bullard helps provide youthful depth to a position lacking in recent years. New DC Vic Fangio is sure to push for safeties who can be difference-makers, and Bullard is ideally suited to that aim.
3.97 Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
Though the Eagles have not historically valued the linebacker position, this pick was necessary. Philadelphia patched their 2023 linebacking corps with veteran retread players like Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow, and Shaq Leonard in and out of the lineup. And the same durability questions loom largely over the youthful Nakobe Dean, who appeared in just five games after being on track to assume a leadership role in the defense.
Liufau brings tremendous coverage ability and sound tackling fundamentals. At Notre Dame, he was primarily aligned in the box. However, he has also shown versatility in blitzing from an EDGE position. He is slightly undersized, measuring just 239 pounds at the Senior Bowl. However, with Philadelphia’s recent investments in upfront bulk (Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, etc.), a dynamic, agile linebacker like Liufau is perfectly suited to their roster construction.
5.160 Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
The “Quarterback Factory” is alive and well! Eagles GM Howie Roseman once justified the second-round selection of Jalen Hurts by positing that the team would always covet a pipeline of quarterback talent to develop. After the recent voiding of backup Marcus Mariota’s contract, adding quarterback depth is far more than a luxury.
With Travis’s fifth-round selection, Philadelphia bolsters the depth chart with a prospect who possesses comparable traits to Hurts, the face of the franchise. Travis is a dynamic playmaker who can challenge an opponent with his arm and mobility. Despite a season-ending broken leg, Travis finished fifth in the Heisman voting and is on track to be full strength by rookie minicamp.
This acquisition sets up a camp battle between Travis and second-year quarterback Tanner McKee. This competition will be a fun sidenote to the preseason and can only strengthen the Eagles.
5.170 Drake Nugent, C, Michigan
Though not yet confirmed by the man himself, with each passing day, it seems more and more likely that franchise icon Jason Kelce is destined for retirement. In 2022, the Eagles made preparations for this ultimate reality by drafting his heir apparent in Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens. However, with limited experience at center and after stepping in admirably to a starting right guard spot last season, it’s fair to wonder if staying put might not be best for both Jurgens and the team.
Nugent steps into huge shoes, taking over for the Hall of Fame-caliber Kelce, who notched a franchise-record 156 straight starts at the center position. However, unlike Jurgens, Nugent brings a wealth of positional experience to the table. A starter at Standford and eventual national champion after a transfer to Michigan, Nugent is recognized for his football intelligence. Mixing smarts and a nasty streak, Nugent has the right blend to thrive under the Eagles’ renowned offensive line guru, Jeff Stoutland.
5.171 Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
The Birds continue to rebuild their wide receiver depth chart with the selection of McCaffrey in the late fifth. The brother of all-world running back Christian and son of three-time world champion Ed, the selection of Luke McCaffrey carries a certain pedigree. However, his collegiate accomplishments stand alone from his family lineage.
McCaffrey sees the field well and has the type of deep speed that can unlock a defense. He runs crisp routes and brings excellent receiving depth to a desperately needy corps. Thanks to his frame and running style, McCaffrey also has the potential to contribute as a special teams returner, which would only enhance his value.
5.178 AJ Barner, TE, Michigan
With their fourth pick of the fifth round, the Eagles go with the best player available and bring home a tight end with size and athleticism in Barner. In the mold of Dallas Goedert and Albert Okwuegbunam, Barner is a developmental piece for an offense that leans heavily on its tight ends.
As a national champion, Barner is already experienced in performing on the biggest of stages. The lanky tight end has flashed tremendous potential as a pass catcher and could round into an excellent pro as he fills out his massive frame. He is the type of upside shot teams should target on Day 3.
7.240 Willie Roberts, CB, Louisiana Tech
After injuries and age appeared to limit the top pairing of Darius Slay and James Bradberry last season, it’s fair to wonder whether a youth movement may be afoot at cornerback. With players like Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe waiting in the wings, it may be time to turn to fresh legs in the secondary. The selection of Roberts gives Philadelphia depth on whether this is indeed their intended strategy.
Appearing in 12 games for each of Louisiana Tech’s last three seasons, Roberts is both durable and versatile. His 18 forced incompletions in 2023 ranked second in the nation among qualifying corners. Though predominantly aligned on the outside, Roberts has been deployed across the defensive front, appearing in slot coverage, as a box tackler, and even registering snaps as a pass rusher. Look for Roberts to stake an immediate claim as a special teams contributor and potentially develop into a reliable piece for the defense.
Draft Recap
With a talented but aging roster, the Eagles desperately need a youth infusion to stay competitive in the coming years. Utilizing an impressive slate of nine available draft picks, this mock, as laid out, makes great strides towards that aim.
EDGE defender Latu, safety Bullard, and linebacker Liufau all have the potential to make immediate contributions to the defense. On the offensive side, a strong skill position unit only gets more impressive with the addition of Burton. Nugent may also step right into a starting role on the offensive line.
This draft may not be the most exciting for fantasy outside of Burton. However, this class provides precisely the type of real-world depth that should keep Philadelphia an NFC contender.
I thoroughly enjoyed bringing you this piece and would love to continue the conversation on projecting the Eagles draft. Please feel free to comment below or contact me @Spydes78 on Twitter. Also, stay tuned to @DynastyNerds for a steady pipeline of content from our eminently qualified staff to carry you through your offseason. If you like what you read, please consider becoming a subscriber to any of the elite tools that Dynasty Nerds has to offer. Make sure to use the promo code “SPYDES” to receive a 15% discount. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the grind!
