No Combine this year only makes Eagles draft buzz crazier

No Combine… The NFL Scouting Combine’s altered format for this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the spotlight onto the 2021 pro day circuit, where NFL decision-makers will have the opportunity to see the top draft prospects perform on-field drills and learn their official measurements. Teams are limited to a maximum of three representatives at any pro day this year.

So between now and April 9, you will have limited access to about 130 individual college and regional campus audition sites.  For example, the Penn State scouting event is scheduled for March 25.  Temple’s big day is March 16th.

For regular fans like you or EYE, this new pro-day format just makes it more difficult to compare data on the prospects, and to shape our eventual MACH-10 Draft Challenge selections.

We must make do, I suppose.  But the biggest drawback to getting any kind of fan consensus regarding whom the Eagles should target is that nearly all of us are now sold on our first impressions based solely on college tape.

The Eagles now have 8 picks total in 2021, not counting compensatory picks expected to be announced.

But there is not one consensus majority opinion yet on whom the Birds should pick at #6 overall… or even if they will exercise that pick based upon trade possibilities.

So far, if you count up the top 25 media biases based on audience ratings (including our own ~BROZ), you get a wide array of positions and names at #6 overall, which we will not get to see perform at the Combine:

WR Ja’Marr Chase – 7
TE Kyle Pitts – 5
WR DeVonta Smith – 3
QB Justin Fields – 3
WR Jaylen Waddle – 2
QB Zach Wilson – 1
QB Trey Lance – 1
OT Penei Sewell – 1
OT Rashawn Slater – 1
OT Christian Darrisaw – 1

WR – 12
TE – 5
QB – 5
OT – 3

Offense – 25
Defense – 0

I’ve never seen such a difference of opinion on first-round positional picks, and, even wilder, the picks are all on offense!

And worse, there is no Combine to help confirm or deny the wild array of these picks!

To make it even more interesting, now Alabama QB Mac Jones is reportedly on the Eagles’ fan wish list at #6… the previous consensus was Jones’ being coveted by the L.A. Chargers or the Chicago Bears at #12 or #13 overall (with some trading involved). For some reason, Mac Jones’ stock is going up— and his Alabama Pro Day will be the only glimpse most of us can hope to get of him.

So expect a lot of crazy (more than usual) heading into Draft Day on April 29 in Cleveland.  Surprises will abound.

Here is the latest NJ Advance Media NFL mock draft:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Future Pro Hall of Famer Peyton Manning told The Post and Courier’s Gene Sapakoff that he likes what he has seen out of Lawrence during his time at Clemson.  “He hasn’t plateaued at all from an incredibly successful freshman year,” Manning told Sapakoff. “And it looks like he can play the quarterback position in different ways: he can stay in the pocket, but he’s athletic and can run and move. The more you can do, certainly the better.”  The approval of one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game should give the Jaguars confidence in selecting Lawrence first overall.

6. Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Eagles are another team that could trade down from their current spot, but will remain at six.  According to Sharp Football Stats, the Indianapolis Colts have used a lot of 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one running back, and one tight end). The Colts used it 69% of their offensive snaps in 2020, 62% of the time in 2019, and 72% in 2018. If Eagles new head coach Nick Sirianni decides to bring that same philosophy to the Eagles, expect to see a lot of this grouping.

Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Smith does not have the prototypical weight of an NFL wide receiver (175 pounds), Smith can line up outside or play in the slot, and he is a good route runner and is elusive after the catch.

7. Detroit Lions: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Farley chose to opt-out of the 2020 season. However, Farley gives the Lions a physical, potentially shutdown cornerback.

8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Panthers owner David Tepper wants to make a splash and bring a franchise quarterback to his team and has reportedly been interested in trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Texans have said they would not trade Watson, so the Falcons will have to take a quarterback in the draft. Lance’s mobility and arm will fit with the Panthers’ offensive scheme.

9. Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Parsons heads to the Broncos and tries to be as disruptive as Von Miller was for several seasons.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys address their secondary by adding a top-tier cornerback.

11. Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Waddle gives the Giants a speed threat to go along with Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard.

12. San Francisco 49ers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Trade: The Los Angeles Chargers trade their 2021 first-round pick (13th overall) to the Chicago Bears for the Bears’ 2021 first-round pick (20th overall), a 2021 third-round pick (83rd overall), and a 2022 second-round draft pick.

13. Chicago Bears (via Los Angeles Chargers): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

14. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

15. New England Patriots: Joseph Ossai, LB, Texas

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Kwity Paye, LB, Michigan

18. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

19. Washington Football Team: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

20. Los Angeles Chargers (via Chicago Bears): Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

21. Indianapolis Colts: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

22. Tennessee Titans: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

23. Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Wyatt Davis, OL, USC

Davis gives the Jets some much-needed offensive line help. Tucker is a big, very athletic, and strong guard, something that is needed for the zone running scheme.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

26. Cleveland Browns: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

28. New Orleans Saints: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

29. Green Bay Packers: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

30. Buffalo Bills: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

So you wanna preview these guys?  Well it’s not gonna happen at a Combine this year.  Check your local Pro Day listings at a college campus near you.  Until then, embrace the crazy speculation in Eagles Nation.