Philadelphia Eagles 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

Round 5

The Philadelphia Eagles begin the later rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft with defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid, Shaka Toney. While Penn State teammates Yetur Gross-Matos and Jayson Oweh look to be second-round picks in back-to-back years, Toney has put together a strong career with the Nittany Lions.

Toney an outside linebacker out of Philadelphia, made the move to defensive end during his redshirt year, appearing in 12 games in his first season at Penn State. At 6-foot-3, Toney is a relatively undersized defensive end and may look to make a move back to outside linebacker with the Eagles. Toney could be an effective rotational pass rusher at the next level.

Round 6

After enrolling at in-state Kentucky as a highly recruited five-star tackle, Young made an immediate impression with the Wildcats, blocking for Benny Snell his first two years in Lexington in the Wildcats best rush offense in program history. Young was on the trajectory of living to his five-star rank but suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the 2018 season.

Young rebounded his final two seasons with the Wildcats earning a First-Team All-SEC nod from conference coaches. While Young has had a productive college career in a run-first Kentucky program, he is limited as a pass protector, struggling with quick, edge-cutting defenders. As a sixth-round selection, Young has the talent and could become a serviceable depth option for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Philadelphia Eagles have looked at depth at the running back spot behind Miles Sander and could add a versatile playmaker in Iowa State’s Kene Nwangwu with their third pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Nwangwu was not an every-down back with the Cyclones but is a versatile rotational back.

Nwangwu possesses good size and ball-handling skills and would be an effective third-down back as a blocker. Nwangwu was not an every-down back at the college level and will not be expected to see the field as an every-down back with the Eagles, but gives Philadelphia options beyond Boston Scott or Jordan Howard. Nwangwu is a talented special teams player and would make an impact as both a returner or rotational piece.

After struggling with injuries and playing behind each of Kittle, Hockenson, and Fant, Beyer again took a secondary role in the Iowa offense playing behind counterpart Sam LaPort. The shortened 2020 season was Beyer’s most productive with the Hawkeyes, registering a total of 11 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown but Beyer’s influence goes beyond the stat line.

Where Beyer excels is in the run offense, acting as one of the best run-blocking tight ends in college football. According to Pro Football Focus, Beyer ranked as the fourth highest-graded tight end in college football last fall primarily due to his run blocking. As a sixth-round selection, Beyer is hardly a replacement for Zach Ertz, but there is no such thing as a shortage of productive blockers.

Round 7

With their tenth and final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles go back to the cornerback position and select USC’s Olaijah Griffin. As a two-year starter with the Trojans, Griffin is one of the most intriguing cornerback prospects in the Draft. Griffin is the son of rapper Warren G and nephew of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.

Griffin has improved at corner each year at USC but is considered limited given his size and injury history. Griffin underwent surgery on both shoulders and struggled with back injuries and plays smaller than 5-foot-11. That said, Griffin was a top-rated corner at the college level and could be an effective inside, nickel corner worth a gamble in the later rounds.