NFL Mock has Eagles Taking Defensive End at No. 12

Most of the NFL mock drafts that have been published leading up to the April 29th event have the Eagles taking either a wide receiver or cornerback with the No. 12 overall selection.

Here is the first one (that I've come across) that has them going with a defensive end. .

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson has Philadelphia drafting Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye in a mock draft.

Philadelphia was at its best over the past few seasons when its defensive front could run seven-deep in terms of generating pressure. Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham aren’t getting any younger, while Derek Barnett never quite became the force the Eagles may have hoped for when drafting him. At this spot, they get to take their pick of the best defensive linemen in the draft, choosing to make Michigan’s Kwity Paye the first selected.

Paye has freakish quick-twitch explosion and showed significant year-over-year improvement throughout his college career. That improvement is an important thing to see for a player who totaled only 1,326 snaps on defense over four years. He also has the size to line up inside and the experience of doing so, as well, giving him a pass-rushing versatility that not many players can match.

Paye made only 20 starts at Michigan and limited film to go off of from 2020 season. He played in just four games in 2020, producing 16 tackles and two sacks. His explosive speed at 6-foot-4 and 277-pound makes him the best defensive end prospect in this years draft.

The interesting part of that Monson said about draft Paye at No. 12 is that was the blue print the Eagles followed to win a Super Bowl — loading up on edge rushers like Brandon Graham, Chris Long, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett.

In the NFL East, Monson’s mock has Patrick Surtain heading to the Dallas Cowboys with the 10th overall selection, New York trading gout of the 11th spot and taking Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Washington landing Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Batemanat No. 19.

The NFL Draft begins Thursday April 29th at 7pm and can be heard on 97.3 ESPN, South Jersey's Eagles station.