Kiper NFL mock draft 2.0: Eagles take Northwestern OL Peter Skoronski in 1st round

While the Philadelphia Eagles have the likes of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson under contract through 2025, the franchise could use another addition to the offensive line room this offseason.

According to Mel Kiper’s latest mock released Tuesday, Philadelphia will look to the 2023 NFL Draft to do what they do best, build along the offensive line with pick No. 10, taking Northwestern's Peter Skoronski.

It’s a bit of a change change up from Kiper, who had the Eagles taking Pittsburgh Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in the first round of the upcoming draft back in his January mock draft 1.0.

Let's keep a strength a strength for the Eagles. With right guard Isaac Seumalo a free agent and center Jason Kelce mulling retirement, why not take the best lineman in this class? Cam Jurgens, a second-round pick last year, likely would slot in Kelce's place, while Skoronski could fill the void at right guard. Some teams believe Skoronski could be a better fit at guard than tackle, even though he started 33 games at left tackle in college. No matter where he plays, he should be an instant starter.

Both tackles are the unquestioned No. 1 options for Philadelphia, but the Eagles will likely be looking to replace free agent Isaac Seumalo at right guard.

Last season at Northwestern (11 games), Skoronski finished the season with PFF’s highest pass-blocking grade in the country at 93.0, one of the highest grades of all-time, and allowed only six pressures on 480 pass-blocking snaps in 2022.

As it stands, the Eagles have Mailata, Johnson and Landon Dickerson currently under contract for next season, but will likely need to replace Seumalo and possibly Jason Kelce, if he chooses to retire.

Kiper also mentions that the team could look to target a defensive lineman in this spot with the teams propensity to draft in the trenches.

At No. 30, Kiper has the Eagles taking the same player he had them selecting at No. 10 in his first mock draft back in January, Kancey.

Kancey is an undersized (280 pounds) tackle who could play the 3-technique spot next to 2022 first-rounder Jordan Davis, rushing the passer from the interior and generally wreaking havoc on guards and centers. Kancey likely is a fit only for teams that play a 4-3, but he explodes into backfields at the snap.

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year could be a replacement for Javon Hargrave, who could depart in free agency. He had a very good season for Pittsburgh, becoming the Panthers’ first Unanimous All-American since defensive tackle Aaron Donald in 2013, after compiling 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27–29 and you can listen on 97.3 ESPN.