Mel Kiper Jr. Latest Mock Draft Lands Eagles Top Wide Receiver

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. hasn’t changed his opinion that the Philadelphia Eagles will add another weapon for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Through four NFL mock drafts for 2020, he’s had the Eagles selecting a wide receiver with the 21st pick. After having Clemson wide out Tee Higgins heading to Philly in his first two mock drafts, he sent LSU receiver Justin Jefferson to the Eagles last month.

Here’s what the ESPN draft analyst had to say about Philadelphia's pick, No. 21, in his latest mock draft that was revealed Tuesday.

This pick should be the best wide receiver on their board. Philadelphia doesn't have many roster holes, but there's a big one at wideout. And really, if I'm running the Eagles, I would look at trading up a few spots to get my guy. I suspect they'd be thrilled to get Ruggs, who is one of the fastest players in this class and is underrated as a route runner. This is a team that can win the NFC East again.

Ruggs is considered by some to be one of the top thre wide outs in this years very deep class. The 21-year-old averaged 17.5 yards per catch in the SEC, scoring 24 receiving touchdowns in 40 games.

That said, seeing him fall to the No. 21 spot is a bit surprising.  If he is there, there is a good chance the Eagles would pick him almost instantly.

Having a young starting wide receiver for Carson Wentz to grow with has been a goal of the organization this offseason, and is one of the reasons the team stayed away from free agency.

The team is very hopeful that DeSean Jackson will be back and healthy, to give Wentz a top-flight deep threat, something he lacked last season.

Three wide receivers are off the board when Philly picks at No. 21 in Kiper’s mock draft, so landing Ruggs, a potential No. 1 or 2 wideout to pair with Wentz would be a bonus.

So too could drafting a cornerback, safety or even a linebacker, but that is something Kiper see them doing in round two with pick 53, taking Texas tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

I love this pick for the Eagles, who could get an immediate starter at middle linebacker. Brooks, my No. 3 ILB, is a 240-pound tackling machine and sideline-to-sideline defender who surprised me with a 4.54 40 at the combine. I liked his tape, but I didn't know he was that explosive. He could be a menace in the NFC East for years to come.

The NFL Draft can be heard on 97.3 ESPN and the FREE mobile app, coverage of Round 1 begins Thursday night, with Rounds 2-3 on Friday and 4-7 on Saturday.