Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft Mondays: Week 8 Edition

The Philadelphia Eagles’ need for an edge rusher is as clear as a glass door in a Windex commercial. The team lost veteran Brandon Graham to a torn Achilles in week two, and though it’s something no one wants to talk about, there’s no way of knowing how the 33-year-old will look next season.

Aside from Graham, both Ryan Kerrigan and Derek Barnett are free agents and have given Philadelphia zero reason to retain them. Josh Sweat is the only notable edge rusher (other than Graham) on the books for next season, so the team should be looking to upgrade the position both through the draft and also free agency. In steps, Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson may not be the athletic freak that Kayvon Thibodeaux is, Hutchinson does possess a level of athleticism that, when paired with his high-motor and technical proficiency, can allow him to become a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end, or even more. Some have even compared him to the Bosa brothers.

The Eagles love their high-motor rushers, but they rarely come with Hutchinson’s size and athleticism. At 6-foot-6, Hutchinson pairs his size with good speed, strength, and fantastic bend. His flexibility makes Derek Barnett look like the Tin Man, and he doesn’t make the same mental errors that Barnett does either.

Aidan Hutchinson is a high-floor, high-ceiling player who, at a position of need for Philadelphia, makes him a no-brainer if he’s still on the board.