Philadelphia Eagles Draft: Post-Combine Seven Round Mock
Round 7: Ben Braden, OG, Michigan
Braden is a guy about whom I know very little, but man did the Combine make him pop.
5.03 40 at 329? Please and thank you. Throw in a 26″ broad and a 26″ vertical while you’re at it.
Braden came in seventh of all 2017 offensive linemen with a SPARQ score just barely below Dion Dawkins’, the Eagles second-round selection. Yes, I know, Chip Kelly is out of the building, but we can’t discount the value of these athletic measurements, especially when it comes to late-round selections. Braden was a nobody to me before the Combine, but he checks the boxes numerically, so now I’ll return to the tape and see what can be made of the Wolverine lineman. He has the physical tools to compete at the NFL level. Does he have the technical skills as well?
A 4-year starter at Michigan, Braden has experience at right tackle and both guard spots. The tape isn’t promising. He struggles to create much movement off the ball and often loses leverage given his height (6’6) for the guard position. His teammates, Erik Magnuson and Kyle Kalis, will both likely be better NFL players.
Next: Combine Day 3 Recap: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers
But you aren’t drafting NFL players in the 7th round—you’re drafting for upside alone, the potential to develop into an NFL player. Given his success at the Combine, Braden likely earned himself at least a 7th-round pick and the opportunity to compete for a roster spot. And if that spot is in Philadelphia, it’s a great victory both for Braden and for the Philadelphia Eagles.