NFL Draft best available players for Philadelphia Eagles: Tate Ratledge, Mason Taylor

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The Philadelphia Eagles made relative waves by executing their fourth first-round trade-up in the last five draft cycles to select Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell No. 31 overall. The one-spot leap of the Kansas City Chiefs cost the Eagles pick Nos. 32 and 164. They’re scheduled to enter Day 2 with six picks left in their arsenal, including one in the second round (No. 64) and one in the third (No. 96). Here’s a look at the best available prospects remaining.

Day 2

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina: The less likely safety to fall within the Eagles’ range. Emmanwori is the sort of playmaker the Eagles covet. He twice led the Gamecocks in tackles and recorded two pick-sixes in his final season. He possesses an even more imposing frame at 6-3, 220 pounds and ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College: It’d be interesting, though unsurprising, if the Eagles spend another first-round pick on an edge rusher. Brandon Graham retired. Josh Sweat signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Uncertainty still hovers over Bryce Huff, a splash signing in 2024. The Eagles already bolstered their depth at the position by signing Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari to one-year deals. Ezeiruaku would certainly add more competition. He was highly productive in his final season at Boston College, ranking in top three in the FBS in both sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5).

Mike Green, Edge, Marshall: Green was the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after leading the FBS with 17 sacks last season. At 6-3, 251 pounds, Green’s speed enhances an effective arsenal of pass rush moves that makes him one of the more coveted defenders of this draft class.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami: Arroyo was the subject of my mock draft last week. If the Eagles indeed find a trade partner for Dallas Goedert, who’s due $14.25 million in cash in the final year of his contract, they’ll need to backfill the depth chart with another option. In just 35 receptions in 2024, Arroyo totaled 590 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a matchup winner at 6-5, 251 pounds and ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU: Taylor (6-5, 250) may be out of Philadelphia’s range in the second round. He’s the son of Hall of Fame edge rusher Jason Taylor. It’d be unfair to place the same expectations on Mason, but his college career suggests a fairly high ceiling. Taylor was a fair blocker and consistent playmaker in the passing game. He totaled 1,308 receiving yards and six touchdowns in three seasons with the Tigers.

Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas: Of the three tight ends already mentioned, Helm is likely the most accessible for the Eagles in the first two rounds. He’s also one of the most productive. He totaled 60 catches, 786 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with the Longhorns.

Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia: Brugler’s pick for the Eagles at No. 64 in his latest mock draft. It’d be surprising to see Roseman stand pat with his first two draft positions. But if the Eagles go elsewhere at No. 32 than the offensive line, and if they decide to hold onto their later draft capital instead of trading up as they’ve frequently done, Ratledge, an All-American in his final season, would be a solid option for Philly’s right guard vacancy. For all of Roseman’s love for Georgia, he’s yet to pick a Bulldog from the offensive side of the ball.

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama: Brugler’s top-ranked guard of this draft cycle. A two-time All-American and physically imposing blocker. A key quote inside his profile in The Beast: “I make guys not love football anymore.” If the Eagles trade back from No. 32, they could be in range to draft the 6-4, 321-pound Booker.

JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State: Can the Eagles invest too many resources at edge rusher? Tuimoloau was the subject of my mock trade in March. Measuring 6-4, 265 at the combine, Tuimoloau supplies the size lost by Sweat’s departure. Tuimoloau also shined in big moments. Of his 12.5 sacks in 2024, he logged 7.5 in three playoff games against Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame.

Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas: One of the more imposing physiques of this draft class. At 6-6, 273 pounds, Jackson would draw plenty of attention along the defensive edge. He totaled 13 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in his final two seasons with the Razorbacks. Think raw power. But if he can’t strong-arm his opponent, his lack of speed as a rusher limits him.

Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo: What defensive tackle prospects have a pick-six on their resume? Meet Darius Alexander. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni can easily call up his old Mount Union buddies on the Toledo staff (and likely has), as he did before the Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell last year. Like Mitchell, Alexander (6-4, 304) proved he belonged with the big boys at the Senior Bowl. Alexander spent six seasons at Toledo. He’ll be 25 once the season begins, older than Jalen Carter (24).

Alfred Collins, DT, Texas: A five-year veteran with the Longhorns, Collins is another big body (6-5, 320) who could give the Eagles more depth along the interior. He’s another defender whose production in 2024 (one sack, six tackles for loss) doesn’t match his tools. Brugler has Collins mocked to the Chiefs at No. 66. If the Eagles stand pat or trade back from No. 64, there’s a shot Collins would still be on the board.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame: A second-round option at safety for the Eagles. The two-time All-American was a team captain on a Fighting Irish squad that reached the national championship game. He totaled 13 interceptions in his last two seasons, in which he also didn’t allow a touchdown reception.

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State: A third-round option at safety for the Eagles. Winston has desired size (6-1, 213) and was an aggressive tackler for the Nittany Lions. He only recorded one interception in three seasons, but it’s notable that he was never penalized during his collegiate career. He underwent season-ending surgery in October to repair a partially torn ACL. The Eagles weren’t dissuaded by availability when drafting DeJean last year, but his absence did contribute to his slow start as a rookie.

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville: After losing Isaiah Rodgers in free agency and parting ways with Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the Eagles added some depth to the cornerback room by signing Adoree’ Jackson to a one-year deal. The Eagles could stand to add a rookie to the mix. Riley (5-11, 194 pounds) can play both cornerback and nickel and totaled eight interceptions in three seasons at Louisville, including a pick-six in 2022. He previously played three seasons at Middle Tennessee State and was named first-team All-C-USA in 2021.

Day 3

Anthony Belton, OT, NC State: A lineman with long arms (33 7/8″), big hands (10 1/4″) and a massive frame (6-6, 336) that’d fit right in with the other behemoths on the Eagles’ offensive line. Belton is fun to watch; he tied for the team lead with 51 pancake blocks in 2023, when he started at left tackle.

Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota: Walley is undersized on the outside at 5-10, 190 pounds, and he only played 2.3 percent of his total collegiate defensive snaps in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. That didn’t stop him from amassing seven interceptions across four seasons, including a pick-six in 2024 against Maryland. Walley’s lack of experience in the slot makes it difficult to suggest he’d allow DeJean to move outside. Walley could add depth to the outside.

Wyatt Milum, OT/OG, West Virginia: The Big 12 Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year last season, Milum spent his entire collegiate and high school career at left and right tackle. His lack of experience at offensive guard raises questions about whether he’d be able to win a training camp battle to start at right guard. If the Eagles intend to keep him where he’s comfortable, it’s a possible investment in another swing tackle. Whatever the plan, it’d require patience.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas: After making Saquon Barkley the NFL’s highest-paid running back in history, the Eagles signed former Packers tailback A.J. Dillon in free agency. The Eagles spent a fourth-round pick on Will Shipley last year. They may have all the running backs they need. If not, Blue was a productive player who totaled 730 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, plus 368 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in his final season with the Longhorns.

Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State: A local prospect with a professional build (6-0, 211), Reed led the Nittany Lions with 98 tackles in his final season and supplied 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, plus three interceptions that included a pick-six. If the Eagles feel confident that Sydney Brown can seize a starting job opposite Blankenship, they can supply much-needed depth in later rounds.

Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech: Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has said he likes “unusual” traits in his players. Rogers earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” by power cleaning 406 pounds and squatting 600. Rogers is 6-4, 312 pounds and was a captain in his final season with the Red Raiders while making alternate starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard. This from Brugler’s “Beast” is noteworthy, too: “He is at his best pulling in the run game when he can build momentum, locate targets and thump in space.” The pulling game has been a staple in the Eagles’ run game. Rogers can compete at right guard and add depth at offensive tackle.

Kobe King, LB, Penn State: The Eagles need depth behind Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., especially since Dean could miss the start of the season while recovering from a torn patellar tendon. (Ben VanSumeren is officially listed at fullback.) A two-year starter as the Mike linebacker at Penn State, King is a formidable tackler against the run but could become a liability in the passing game.

Jaylin Smith, CB, USC: It’s not often that you see a quote from Snoop Dogg about an NFL prospect. (Smith played running back for Snoop in his youth football league.) But, hey, there it was in The Beast: “J-Roc is a different kind of kid. Definitely one of my favorites.” Smith, who led USC with two interceptions in 2024, played outside corner, nickel and safety — a combination that will make him a useful addition to a secondary that values versatility.

Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary: Is it a disqualifying factor that Grant’s father is a Dallas Cowboys fan? A psychology major and two-time All-American left tackle at William & Mary, Grant is long-armed (34 3/4″) and nimble, a 23-year-old project that could yield major returns.

Jalen Travis, OL, Iowa State: Repeat: Stoutland likes “unusual” traits. Travis is 6-7, 339 pounds. He’s a Princeton graduate who transferred to Iowa State for his final collegiate season. He started 11 games at left tackle for the Cyclones’ first 10-win season in school history. The Eagles’ loss of Fred Johnson in free agency can’t be overstated. Johnson gave the Eagles six critical spot starts at different times for both Mailata and Johnson. Darian Kinnard is a possibility to replace Fred Johnson after spending last season mostly inactive. Adding Travis would help the Eagles keep their tackle factory going.

Elijah Roberts, Edge, SMU: A signature bull rusher, Roberts led the FBS with 131 pressures across his two seasons with the Mustangs. He found a home along the edge at SMU after spending his first three seasons at Miami, where he never quite found a role. At 6-3, 285 pounds, Roberts has inside-outside versatility that might at the very least make him a platoon member in pass-rush packages.

(Top photo of Tate Ratledge: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)

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