PHILADELPHIA — Defense, defense, and more defense.
That was the thinking of general manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles in this year’s NFL draft.
The Birds’ first five selections were on the defensive side of the ball, as were six of the 10 total picks they ended up making.
After making just two picks over the first two days, which included trading out of the third round, they selected eight players on Saturday in rounds four through six. (They didn’t have a seventh rounder.)
“It’s a really fun day for us,” Roseman had said the night before of the potential for Saturday’s developments. “A great opportunity to improve our football team on the third day.”
The Eagles entered the draft with eight picks, which they turned into 10 through wheeling and dealing while also adding to next year’s total — increasing the projected 2026 stockpile to 12, including 11 in the first five rounds.
After selecting linebacker/edge rusher Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama in the first round, followed by safety Andrew Mukuba of Texas in the second round, the Birds picked up Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson with their fourth-round pick (111th overall) on Saturday.
They had traded the 101st and 134th picks to Denver in exchange for 111, 130 and 191.
Robinson, who’s 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, started 47 games with the Huskers and was a team leader. Last season, he had 37 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, seven sacks, 25 pressures, and batted down seven passes. He also blocked a field goal and recorded a safety.
He explodes off the line of scrimmage and displays sound and active hands. He seems to have a nose for the quarterback and can overcome blocks with both speed and power. He also has the ability to set the edge when he lines up outside. He plugs the middle and was a staple of a defense that finished 17th nationally in scoring and eighth against the run.
At the combine, Robinson ran the fastest 40 time (4.83) of any defensive lineman. His broad jump (9 feet, 11 inches) was second best, and his 33.5-inch vertical was fourth. He also interviewed well. And he happens to own a pet camel.
“I feel like versatility is something I’ve honed in on, being able to play all over the line,” Robinson, who played with Eagles center Cam Jurgens in college, said on a Zoom call with reporters. “I’m willing to do whatever the coaches need me to do, learn a new role or a new spot. I’m just working to develop myself and become a better player to help the team any way I can.”
In the fifth round at No. 145, the Eagles opted for cornerback Mac McWilliams out of UCF. He was one pick behind Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whom the Cleveland Browns leapt the Eagles to get. The Birds later drafted Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord in the sixth round.
McCord is from Mount Laurel, N.J., and attended St. Joseph’s Prep.
Here’s a closer look at how the Eagles’ draft played out:
DAY 1
Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker/Edge, Alabama, Round 1 (31st, from KC)
DAY 2
Andrew Mukuba, Safety, Texas, Round 2 (64th)
DAY 3
Ty Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska, Round 4 (111th)
Mac McWilliams, Cornerback, UCF, Round 5 (145th)
McWilliams (5-foot-10, 191 pounds) played his first four seasons at Alabama-Birmingham, where he was chosen as a team captain in 2023 and named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2021 after redshirting.
Last year at Central Florida, he had 32 tackles, including 25 solo and 6.5 for loss, an interception and a sack. He has explosive speed with a 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash and a knack for breaking up passes. He has played both on the outside and over the slot, but he has occasionally missed some tackles, perhaps because of his size. He has experience as an effective returner.
Smael Mondon Jr., Linebacker, Georgia, Round 5 (161st, from Houston)
Yet another Bulldog selected by the Eagles, Mondon was projected as a third rounder by many analysts. He’s listed as 6-foot-3, 235 pounds with 4.58 speed, agility, reliable pop as a tackler, and an ability to slip blocks. He has extensive experience in big games in the SEC, and recorded a game-high five tackles in Georgia’s 2023 national championship victory over TCU.
Mondon finished his college career with 212 tackles — 18 for loss and 125 solo — eight sacks and an interception over three seasons.
He tied for the quickest 10-yard split (4.58 seconds) out of the linebackers at the NFL scouting combine. He beats blockers to the point of attack. He closes fast, reads the quarterback and breaks on the ball well in coverage. He’s an adept blitzer but may need to improve diagnosis of runs and play-action. He missed some reps the last two seasons with a foot injury.
Drew Kendall, Center, Boston College, Round 5 (168th)
Kendall, whose father Drew played O-line in the NFL for 13 seasons, was the Eagles’ first selection on the offensive side of the ball. He’s mobile and good at pulling and getting looking to make blocks downfield. He started 37 games at center in college.
Kendall, who is 6-foot-4, 299 pounds, was named a team captain last season and earned First Team All-ACC honors. Coach Bill O’Brien’s BC Eagles put up four games with over 200 rushing yards and two games with more than 300. Now Kendall is with a new Eagles team.
Kyle McCord, Quarterback, Syracuse, Round 6 (181st, from San Diego)
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound McCord spent his first three years at Ohio State, starting in his third year there, before transferring to Syracuse. He led all FBS quarterbacks with 4,779 passing yards, an ACC record, last season. He set a school-record with 391 completions and had 34 passing touchdowns.
McCord threw for 3,170 yards in 2023 with the Buckeyes before leaving after coach Ryan Day wouldn’t guarantee him the starting job going forward. He was familiar with the coaching staff at Syracuse, who were happy to welcome him.
He usually does a good job progressing through his reads. He spread the ball around with the Orange, as four receivers finished with over 60 catches last year. He makes quick decisions and can make all the throws, including with touch downfield.
He played with Marvin Harrison Jr. at St. Joe’s Prep, where McCord finished his career with 6,788 passing yards, a Philadelphia Catholic League record, and 88 TD passes. He was named Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior.
“I got the call from the 215 number and it was just a surreal moment, obviously, growing up in the area,” McCord said. “You always dream about being a quarterback on the Eagles.
“Going (to Syracuse), I threw the ball a ton last year and there was a lot on my plate in terms of offense. That’s exactly what you want as a quarterback though. It seemed like every game for us would come down to one possession and you had to be great in 2-minute drives and situational football, and that’s how the NFL is too. So it definitely prepared me. I definitely got better, on and off the field.”
McCord will compete with Tanner McKee and Dorian Thompson-Robinson to back up Jalen Hurts.
Myles Hinton, Offensive Tackle, Michigan, Round 6 (191st, from Denver)
Hinton, who’s 6-foot-6, 317 pounds, spent his first three seasons of eligibility at Stanford before transferring to Michigan for his final two years. He started five games with the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship squad. Last season, he started all 10 games at left tackle. His length helps him in pass protection and his athleticism makes him effective in the screen game.
His father is Chris Hinton, a former No. 4 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts who made the Pro Bowl seven times.
Cameron Williams, Offensive Tackle, Texas, Round 6 (207th, from NY Jets)
At 6-foot-7, 323 pounds, the 21-year-old Williams is an absolute beast up front. He was part of a Longhorns unit that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s top offensive line. He’s a powerful run blocker and allowed just three sacks on 904 pass-blocking snaps last season.
Williams has tremendous physical attributes but needs to improve his bend and footwork. However, he played much of last season with a foot injury that later required surgery, and Eagles O-line guru Jeff Stoutland clearly believes in his upside.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Ege, Va. Tech, Round 6 (209th, from San Diego)
Powell-Ryland (6-3, 258) racked up 16 sacks last year, which was third in the FBS, and was named First Team All-ACCC. He had 9.5 sacks the previous season. What he may lack in length and athleticism, he makes up for with leverage, intelligence, violent hands, varied techniques and unpredictability. He is relentless and a potent hitter.
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Christiaan DeFranco covers the Eagles, Phillies and other sports for MediaNews Group/Tribune Publishing. Follow him on X at @the_defranc.
Source: Berkshire mont
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