The latest 2023 NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is hot off the digital presses, and as usual, he’s got a surprise name in the top 10.
This particular swing from left field by Kiper is Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, who he sends to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 10 overall.
Here’s what Kiper had to say about the pick:
The Eagles, one of the NFL’s four best teams,
gained this first-rounder from New Orleans last year, and now they have a chance to add a premium prospect to their loaded roster.
They don’t have many current needs, but they do have several decisions to make in free agency,
including whether to bring back defensive linemen Fletcher Cox, Robert Quinn
, Brandon Graham and Javon Hargrave. Let’s use this pick to help them get younger.
This is obviously a luxury pick for the Eagles, thanks to last year’s draft-day trade with the New Orleans Saints,
but that doesn’t mean they should spend it on a prospect that’s off the first-round radar for most draft analysts at this point.
It’s always possible that Kancey could make a late push up the board with a strong showing throughout the predraft process,
but considering his lack of size, it’s hard to imagine him leaping into the top 10.