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Well if the plan was to resign him you can still do that. The eagles have no cap space so they're not extending him now. And he'll likely want to hit FA next year unless the Eagles blow him away with an offer. They werent going to resign him... I think that's clear. But in your hypothetical they still can.

It's not that simple. Timmys value is no longer that of a 2nd rounder -- you get them for 4 years on a cheap deal. Whereas Jernigan had 1 yr left and likely a reduced role with the emergence of Pierce. Plus they could see 75 players with a 2nd round value or higher in this draft, and essentially feel they'll be getting a much much better player at 74 than would be available at 99. So its possible they moved on from what was going to be a rotational DL to draft what they hope can be an impact starter for the next 4-10 years. It all depends on how Pierce/Henry/Davis play and who they end up taking at 74. I mean really.... if you don't see yourself as a sure fire contender this year you might as well improve your assets that could make you that contender for the next 4-5 years.

It's not. Don't worry. This reads clearly to me that they see a significant drop off in talent at a certain point... prob around 65-75 players. And while we see only 25 spots we moved up... they're confident the quality of player likely to be available at 74 has a much much higher grade than those likely to be available at 100. So the # of spots they moved up is less significant. If they feel at 74 they'll get a player with a 2nd round grade on their board... and at 99 they were likely to have players with late 3rd-4th round grades then in value it could be like a 2 round jump.

I could see this move working out great for both teams. Jernigan should fit in well with their wide 9 front playing next to Fletcher Cox. With Cox getting double teams and the tackles stretched out wider it should give Jernigan gaps to knife through. I could see him having a great year there. And his upside as a pass rusher allows them to keep Vinny Curry on the end on the 3rd downs. Takes some of their need for another pass rusher away too. And we can move Pierce into a more prominent role. I can see Pierce being every bit as good a run defender and being a better pass rusher in our scheme. Plus this gives me the feeling that we have some targets in the Top 75 of this draft that we really really like that weren't likely to fall to 99. Keep in mind the Eagles have no cap space so they traded for only a 1 year guarantee. They weren't going to give up much. And if he plays well enough that they want to keep him they're going to have to shell out some cash to do so.

Not really bc there's no guarantee he would've played that way here. Not only that I've got to imagine they only felt comfortable making this move bc they planned on increasing Pierce's role regardless. Good luck to Jernigan and I hope he plays well. But if he does it doesn't make this move bad imo. We weren't keeping him. Pierce will be here and that pick will end up here. So if the 2 pieces of the puzzle that do end up here play well and prove big parts of the future, Jernigans play has no impact for me.

What if say... a guy like Elflein is available at 74 and wouldn't have been at 99 and moving Jernigan is the difference between us landing a franchise C for the next 10 years or picking a backup CB or something. This move will be judged on how Pierce/Henry play and what we get at 74. Period.

Another thing to keep in mind... Jernigan was already losing snaps to Pierce. That could have been expected to continue this coming season where potentially Pierce is the starter at the 3T. If that's the case it hurts Jernigans market value where you're much less likely to see a high comp pick for him. So if we moved what was viewed as a rotational DL player to guarantee a return and get us another Top 75 pick in a draft they see as loaded in that range (but with a steep fall off afterward) then it's not terrible. And if the rumblings are true that there was something behind the scenes... then all the better.

I'm guessing the "OR".... A combo of really liking Pierce and wanting he and BWill to be our NT/DT combo and having a bunch of highly rated players in the top 75 that prob weren't going to be available at 99. Honestly if Pierce takes that next step and we land a good player at 74, no complaints here.

We don't know that... and maybe they like Pierce that much. I mean if they were planning on playing Pierce over him anyways, weren't going to resign him, and like Henry's development so far.... they essentially moved up a round (25 spots). Yea on the surface it's a curious move but I imagine the reason will become clear. Whether that's Pierce, Henry or someone they have sights on in the draft. Who knows?? But if it helps us be able to land a really good player we wouldn't have been able to at 99 I'll be ok with it.

Imagine if Foster falls to us and we got him in the 1st, Williams in the 2nd and Anderson in the 3rd. We could have an all Bama LB corps for the next 5-10 years.

I don't either... it's just that WR and RB seem stacked near the top. And I haven't done a whole lot of watching them yet... some just popped off while watching guys for this draft and others I've seen rated highly by draft guys.... so I'm not great with the names yet -- But Ridley from Bama and this kid from SMU I believe... both big bodied, tough, can jump and get it type guys. Theres a kid from Texas A&M Kirk who looks dynamic and explosive. Big time returner, incredible in the open field but also a good route runner and amazing hands. Reminds me a bit of Odell how smooth he runs and catches. I like Kirk and Ridley better than any WR in this draft. Callaway from Florida. Then there's a WR from OK St who I like a lot. I think a kid at FSU. And the Ohio St has this kid Parris who hasn't done anything yet but is expected to have a breakout year.

See I'll always immediately get on board bc I'm never one to take the stance that I know more or better than our FO and scouting dept. if they see someone as worth it at 16 who am I to say otherwise?? I have my thoughts and opinions... and disagreement is fine. But I'm not going to say they're wrong - so I'll get on board until proven otherwise. Bc it's a lot easier for me to sit here and take a stand on the one or few times I may end up right.... but going back through the years the amount of times a prospect I loved was a total bust or picks I was immediately "meh" about us making turned out great far outnumber the opposite. Plus as a fan I will never put myself in a position where it's in my interest for something the team did to not work out. To hold that stance on Ross if we pick him -- would mean he'd have to bust for that stance to be worth while. I'm not doing that. Much rather root for the guy and hope he takes the league by storm and be wrong. The 'I told ya so' moment isn't a win for me bc it hurts the team, and my stance won't ever change the pick... so focus on the upside and hope for it.

I don't see the Jones comparison at all. Jones was all athleticism but somewhat stiff, not great with his hands, ok bend, and not real set of pass rush moves, no counter move, and much smaller. Not to mention the severe Neck injury and medical issue. Health was a part of his Steelers story that can't be ignored. Barnett's 15 lbs bigger, is knocked for his lack of burst not noted for it, but is about as polished as it comes in regard to his bend, hand fighting, and his tool kit of pass rush moves. He goes in with a plan, can win the edge or immediately counter back inside. Maybe im missing the connection but I don't see how the two are at all related. If anything I'd see Jones as a possible project for guys like Takk and Tim Williams who got most of their production on burst and athleticism but will need refining on the finer details of pass rushing.

If we take Ross at 16 I'll be the first to stop pointing out what I see as weaknesses or as not fitting our team, focus on the upside and get on board with it. But until then I just can't see us going that route with so many other potentially better options available.

I actually like the Hilton comp. and like Hilton I think Ross could thrive with a QB like Luck who can get it down field but also is very accurate underneath and leads guys to open grass. Joe, for all his strengths, just has never been great at doing that. So while Ross might be a very good big play threat with Joe, I don't see the all around game developing here. And if not... well we already have 2 guys that can take the top off and NEED someone who can take advantage of the space underneath with Joe. Thats a guy like Mike Williams, JuJu, maybe even Cooper Kupp or Ryan Switzer later... guys who hands catch, have pretty large catch radii, and can make the grab in traffic while getting hit. And if not... I'd rather wait til next draft when there should be 6-7 WRs worth taking in the 1st round and better than Ross (imo, for us) at every point in the 1st.

Successful pass rushers that are currently about the same size as Reddick or came into the NFL his size and are still within 10 lbs.... Vic Beasley Melvin Ingram Shane Ray Leonard Floyd And then guys like Khalil Mack and Von Miller are 250. With an NFL program it's feasible Reddick goes from 238 to 245-250 without losing explosion and function. I think the whole size thing is a bit overrated. You hardly ever hear it with Tim Williams and we're talking like a 5 lb difference.... with Reddick having superior explosion.

He's only 7 lbs lighter than Tim Williams who was effective against SEC size all year long. In fairness at 6'1" he's got less of a frame to pack on to but he could add weight. But his lower body explosion is off the charts which can do more than brute strength and he's not exactly shabby in that department either. It's not the best measure but his 24 reps on the bench were toward the higher end of the average spectrum for DL at the combine... let alone LB's. He might struggle if tackles get their mits on him but that's assuming they'll be able to. He's explosive, fast, changes direction on a dime, is a dog, relentless and can play under a coffee table. I don't think he'll be a hand in the dirt guy engaging the edge every play... but if you put him out in space standing up I think he can be a very good OLB. I mean we had McLellan playing OLB a lot on early downs last year. Hes also about the same size at Vic Beasley who led the league in sacks this past year. Reddick could be an ultimate chess piece in our hybrid front.... especially if you gain some fluid interchangeability between be and Correa where they could be out OLB's in a 4-3 look or where either could line up as the ILB or OLB in 3-4 looks. Theres other directions id go before Reddick but I think he can bring you high end pass rush productivity with the athleticism to also do a number of other things well in time... covering TEs/RBs/slot receivers, hunt ball carriers, cover a zone, spy mobile QBs, or as a blitz weapon shooting gaps.

Fournette and OJ Howard aren't really under the radar... and prob aren't talked about only bc they're not expected to fall to our pick, but if either did I think they'd be in very serious consideration especially Fournette.

I like every player picked in this Mock so I'd be happy if this were the haul we came away with. Love Witherspoon... as far as value goes he's become my favorite CB prospect in the draft. I think he's a day 1 contributor with potential to be shut down. I like Switzer but not at that pick. I'd prob prefer an OL player there depending on who's available. Maybe Jordan Morgan from Kutztown... def Elflein if available though that'd change the Toth pick. Maybe Cooper Kupp is still available end of 3rd... in which case I'd prefer that as a like for like swap. Also am a fan of Toth. In terms of fit I have him as my 2nd pure C prospect behind only Elflein. Also not a fan of going RB there if players at another position with a similar grade are available. If we're not taking a stud RB early (Fournette 1st or maybe Cook/McCaffery/Mixon 2nd) which are very unlikely to be available and/or on our board than I'd only want to take a gamebreaker, niche type RB late (Pumphrey, Tarik Cohen, Jahad Thomas)... though I wouldn't hate Conner from Pitt if available in the 5th. But im nitpicking with personal preferences. Overall solid and realistic.

Why don't you think he could play OLB?

I'm getting really high on Akhello Witherspoon. Both he and Awuzie could be darn good in the NFL... but Witherspoon's length, mirror/match ability.... man he just sticks on the hip and then swats at the last second. I wont be surprised if he winds up being one of the best CB's in this draft.

Never got the hype. Hes blazing fast and may very well be a playmaker in the league, but a lot of his other qualities are over exaggerated bc of the speed. Hes not as one dimensional as most "speed" receivers, but hes not great at anything else. Without the speed, theres nothing else that really stands out. And, as a guy who's struggled with injuries, it's hard for me to want to invest in that speed - bc speed is usually the first thing that goes. And when i watch his tape, i see CB's giving him a TON of cushion. Which i think makes his route running look better than it really is. He's got some wiggle, but his footwork really isnt that crisp... he just breaks or cuts off his routes sometime when hes being given a huge cushion... and from there his speed/wiggle can make plays in the open field. But i dont see that being reliable in the NFL. Guys are gonna get physical with him, which opens up the big play, but then hes essentially reduced to a big play threat -- which is the opposite of why some argue taking him at 16. Plus, I just dont see Joe maximizing him. Joe works best with receivers that he can rifle it in to a bigger window, who he trusts to bring it down. A guy like Ross who tends to let the ball into his body is going to require far more touch and accuracy, and with his blazing speed if you really are going to use him on underneath stuff, you need a QB that can accurately lead him. Thats never been Joe's strengths. The best way to use him with Joe would be to just launch it downfield and let him run under.... which again, is limiting his use to a deep threat. Not worth it at 16. I'd Williams, Howard or even Davis at 16. Otherwise wait for JuJu, Kupp.... or just wait til next year when there's like 7 receivers better than Ross imo.

only way he could be BPA is if you have him rated 16 or higher. which i cant see. Just a hunch that someone we have really highly rated is going to fall to us.

I've been seeing more about him being viewed as a first round talent... possibly the 2nd DT behind Allen bc of his ability to play 1 gap or 2 gap schemes and because he's produced as a 0/1 Tech and 3 Tech or even some limited 5 Tech. And his production doesn't show how good of a penatrator he is in the passing game. Dont be surprised if he's a mid 1st round pick. I could see him going ahead of McDowell.

I think I saw that we are bringing in Caleb Brantley for a visit as are the Browns. Interesting bc that would suggest at least a couple teams view him in the 12-16 range.