2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert goes No. 1 in first-round NFL mock draft

With the 15th pick in this 2020 NFL draft scenario, The Eagles select Derrick Brown. This move feels counter-intuitive, considering their most talented player on the defense, Fletcher Cox, plays tackle. Most mock drafts expect the Eagles to select either a cornerback or wide receiver, as this has been a glaring need in 2019. But the Eagles over several drafts have valued the offensive and defensive lines in the first round of the NFL draft since Howie Roseman took over as general manager.

Since 2010, only two first-round draft picks have been on players other than the offensive or defensive line: Carson Wentz in 2016 and Nelson Agholor in 2015. Agholor wasn’t even selected by Howie since that was the year where Chip Kelly was de-facto GM.

Last year, the Eagles even attempted to move up in the draft and select Christian Wilkins, the defensive tackle out of Clemson, but the Dolphins asked for too much, and the deal fell apart minutes before the pick was announced. And this happened after Malik Jackson had signed with the Eagles in free agency as a starter next to Fletcher Cox.

The Eagles have consistently year after year opted to defer drafting cornerbacks and wide receivers until later rounds, or in free agency. And with the 2020 NFL draft having a plethora of good wide receivers and corners are expected to be available in later rounds. I expect the Philadelphia Eagles to opt-out of drafting these positions in the first round.

One of the biggest issues with the Eagles defensive line has been finding consistent pressure, as most offensive lines the Eagles play opt to double team Cox. Who, outside of Aaron Donald, might be one of the most talented defensive tackles in the league.

But entering his 9th season in 2020, Cox’s elite years are being squandered by injury-prone tackles next to him that are meant to clear him of double teams. And with Cox being no stranger to injuries himself, the Eagles will opt to bring in an elite tackle to help Cox get the most out of his final years, and help train his eventual successor.

With Derrick Brown, the Eagles will find a defensive tackle who will be available to contribute in the first year. A guy who will also not need to play a significant number of snaps early on, as they will still have Timmy Jernigan and Malik Jackson in the line up for the 2020 season. Playing in the SEC, Brown faces multiple teams a year that have future NFL talent on them, giving him a leg up on competitors who play less stellar teams in other conferences.

Our own Dan Schmelzer described him in a scouting report earlier this year (link to scouting report):

"Brown is a big and powerful defensive tackle who can dominate with power on the inside. However, do not let his size fool you. Brown is an extremely quick and athletic one-gap penetrator who consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage."

This move feels a year too late, as there was a glut of strong defensive linemen in the 2019 NFL draft. But the Eagles have placed a priority on defensive line players, handing former Jaguars tackle Malik Jackson a three-year contract before the 2019 NFL draft. But Jackson got injured in the first game of the season and the Eagles pass rush has suffered ever since.

In order to get the most out of Fletcher Cox, the Eagles will need to get him help in the second defensive tackle spot. Brown has shown a consistent ability to break into the offensive line and be disruptive at the line of scrimmage. Brown has the tools and athleticism to partner with Cox and force opposing offensive lines into a “pick your poison situation”.

The Eagles need help in other places, most notably the secondary and wide receiver positions. The two starting corners are not signed past this year, the second safety position is a rotisserie of different free-agent pickups. And Malcolm Jenkins requested a new contract this past offseason and to date has not received a restructure of his current deal.

It is highly probable the Eagles select a corner, safety or even both in the 2020 NFL draft. But I’m going to lean on precedence here and guess the Eagles draft a defensive tackle.