With Week 16 of the 2019 NFL regular season fast and approaching, some teams are preparing for the postseason, while 20 other teams will really start preparing for the 2020 NFL draft in Las Vegas.
The Philadelphia Eagles currently sit at 7-7 on the season and have a huge matchup with the Dallas Cowboys set for Sunday afternoon. If the Eagles win, they’ll likely be postseason participants.
If the Eagles lose, they’ll be one of the 20 teams intensely preparing to feel a boatload of needs on a aging roster.
With the NFL Draft season in full swing, Todd McShay has rejoined the slew of analysts and scouts set to break down college football’s best players.
On Monday night, McShay released his first way too early mock draft for the 2020 selection process and he predicted a playmaker for the Birds.
With the Eagles having needs at wide receiver, defensive line and in the secondary, McShay mocked Alabama star wideout, Henry Ruggs III to the Birds at pick No. 18.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*Alshon Jeffrey and Nelson Agholor lead the Eagles’ wide receivers in yards with 490 and 363, respectively. And both have dealt with injuries this season. Last year’s second-rounder J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has just eight catches. Plain and simple: Philly must have speed and difference-makers at the position, and while Ruggs needs some development as a route runner, you can’t coach his 4.3 speed. He just explodes off the line of scrimmage.
This is the season for comparison and Ruggs III could be for Carson Wentz, what Tyreek Hill has become for Patrick Mahomes.
Ruggs III, Miles Sanders and a healthy DeSean Jackson could give the Eagles weapons that would present matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. If JJ Arcega-Whiteside can take the next step and Alshon Jeffery can return, the Eagles would present a formidable offense, capable of giving any defense in the league fits.
McShay’s draft order came from using ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) through Sunday’s Week 15 games and it will continue shift as the season winds down and draft positions change.
Underclassmen, must declare for the draft by the Jan. 20 deadlines.