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Iowa edge Lukas Van Ness
Iowa edge Lukas Van NessAP Photo/Adam Hunger

Eagles' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets with Saints' Pick

Alex BallentineApr 5, 2023

General manager Howie Roseman made several good trades for the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason. Every fan's favorite right now should be the pick swap with the New Orleans Saints that returned a top-10 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

It's rare for a team as good as the Eagles to have the opportunity to draft a player as early as they will at No. 10. The pick that sent two first-rounders to the Saints last season has brought back a highly valuable pick one year later as the Saints struggled in 2022 even after drafting Chris Olave and Trevor Penning in the first round.

So now Roseman will have the opportunity to add a blue-chip prospect to a strong core. The Eagles have to take advantage if they are going to continue to be in the Super Bowl picture.

Adding another young star on a rookie contract could put this roster over the top and have them competing for a Lombardi Trophy again real soon.

Here's a look at three prospects who should be under consideration to do that.

Edge Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

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Iowa defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (91) reacts after making a tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (91) reacts after making a tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

If there's one thing we know about Roseman and how he wants to build the roster, it's that the pass rush is a huge priority. The Eagles have spent a lot of money and draft capital to make sure they have one of the best defensive fronts in the league.

Whether it's signing Haason Reddick, using a first-round pick on Jordan Davis or ponying up the dough to keep the likes of Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham around, Roseman refuses to allow the Eagles to be mediocre there.

It has paid off, too. The Eagles pass rush collecting 15 more sacks than any team in the league was pivotal to Philadelphia's success last season.

So don't be surprised if Philly takes advantage of the opportunity to add a potentially elite rusher on a rookie contract for the next five years. Lukas Van Ness makes a lot of sense.

He was the selection for the Eagles in the latest mock draft from the B/R Scouting Department.

Van Ness is an incredible athlete with prototypical size at 6'5", 272 pounds. He ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and showed off some good change-of-direction skills with his 7.02 three-cone drill.

Combine that with the fact that he's still only 21 years old and the Eagles could have another foundational piece for their defense.

DT Jalen Carter, Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - APRIL 16: Jalen Carter #88 before the Georgia Bulldogs Spring game at Sanford Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - APRIL 16: Jalen Carter #88 before the Georgia Bulldogs Spring game at Sanford Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Jalen Carter has not helped himself at all during the predraft process, but the 10th pick should be his absolute floor.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah even said on The Pat McAfee Show that the Eagles are his "educated guess" as to why Carter is not taking visits with teams that aren't picking in the top 10.

He reached a plea deal in mid-March regarding misdemeanor charges of racing and reckless driving prior to a crash that killed Georgia teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, who was driving a separate vehicle. Carter received 12 months probation, a fine, community service and was ordered to participate in a defensive driving course.

His pro day was only notable because he showed up weighing nine pounds heavier than he did at the combine. He opted to only do position drills but pulled up short on those because of cramping and heavy breathing, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Those aren't things you want to hear about someone you are about to invest in, but the talent is there. Carter is a disruptive force on the inside and would instantly team with Jordan Davis to create one of the most exciting interior duos in the league.

The Eagles have enough veterans on the roster and in the defensive front who could help Carter learn to be a professional. The on-field talent is good enough to help replace much of Javon Hargrave's departing production right now.

OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 22: Northwestern guard Peter Skoronski (77) pass blocks during the Northwestern Wildcats versus Maryland Terrapins game on October 22, 2022 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 22: Northwestern guard Peter Skoronski (77) pass blocks during the Northwestern Wildcats versus Maryland Terrapins game on October 22, 2022 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It might be shocking for the Eagles to draft a tackle with a top-10 pick since they have Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson on the roster.

Yet Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that Skoronski had a top-30 visit with the Eagles this week. Philly has had incredible success on offense recently because it has one of the best offensive lines in the league.

Drafting a player like Skoronski would help ensure that's going to continue to be the case.

Skoronski started 33 games at left tackle for Northwestern, taking over for Rashawn Slater. According to PFF, he gave up just five sacks across those starts, including just one in his final season with the Wildcats.

However, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department has Skoronski graded as an interior lineman. His 6'4", 313-pound frame might necessitate a move to the inside.

He'd have to start there with the Eagles. However, Johnson is 32 years old, so the team could see Skoronski as the long-term replacement at right tackle.

At the minimum, Skoronski could wind up being an elite guard, continuing to give the Eagles a top offensive line.

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