2023 NFL Draft: Who should Eagles pick with 10th overall pick?

The Philadelphia Eagles are in an enviable position heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Generally, the way the league is run dictates that the most successful teams get to pick last in order to maintain parity and competitiveness in the NFL. But despite making it to the Super Bowl, they will have the luxury of picking with the 10th overall draft pick in 2023 having traded with the New Orleans Saints.

While an initial trade might be done in case they need to move on from Jalen Hurts, that shouldn't be a problem this time around because of the MVP-caliber form he has shown this season. Where they would rather need to add is in the secondary, as safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback James Bradberry are expected to hit free agency.

A good option for them will be Joey Porter Jr., who plays for Penn State. A dual wide receiver and cornerback in high school, he has an impressive pedigree that could solve a lot of issues in the secondary for the Eagles.

Why Joey Porter Jr. is the right choice for the Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft?

Joey Porter Jr. is the son of former NFL player Joey Porter. The former Super Bowl-winning linebacker was a master at getting sacks. However, where his son brings his expertise is in breaking up plays in the secondary.

He measures an impressive 6'2" and 195 lbs, and has registered 21 tackles this season. He is extremely physical, and his raw talent and athleticism should make him a good prospect. He became consistent in 2022 and was chosen as the MVP defensive player on his team by many outlets and was also selected to the second-team All-Big Ten.

He has good vertical speed and long reach to break up a lot of passes and has the speed to match wide receivers and can often force the opposition outside.

He also has the added advantage of versatility. In Penn State's scheme, he sometimes played as a high-post safety in deep zones. Given that the Philadelphia Eagles would want someone who could ideally play both safety and cornerback positions given their free agency status, they could be a good fit there.

One reason people may choose to pass him by is that he has so few interceptions despite being a cornerback. However, those that have watched him will know that he was rarely targeted during the season. After playing against Purdue at the top of the season, when he broke up six passes, opposition offenses chose not to make him their weak point. A better marker would be that he has not allowed a single touchdown pass against him this year.

Furthermore, there are other intangibles that make him an exciting prospect. He went to high school at North Allegheny in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and is now attending Penn State. Having a Pennsylvania-bred player like him with the Philadelphia Eagles would allow the fanbase to connect immediately with him. The Eagles are known to have one of the most passionate fanbases in the country and it is not easy for a newbie to often manage those expectations.

There is no guarantee that he will be available with the 10th overall pick of the draft. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals also have defensive requirements, so they pick higher. Given that Joey Porter played with the Cardinals before retiring, there could be some sentimental value there as well. But for all the reasons highlighted above, if he is still available for the Eagles in that position, Philadelphia should definitely consider going for him and making him their pick.