NFL Draft Grades: Eagles Score Well for Class of 2021

The 2021 NFL Draft is in the books and now the grades are being handed out.

The Philadelphia Eagles made a total of nine selections over the course of the three days, after entering the draft with a 11 picks.

And now that all the picks are in, its time to grade the draft.

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The Eagles’ grades were mostly favorable ranging from a ‘'B-’  to an ‘A’ from various NFL writers.

Here are the grades:

Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN | Grade: B+

The Eagles are positioned to make a real run in next year's draft because they own the Dolphins' first-rounder -- they moved back six spots in Round 1 this year -- and are likely to get the Colts' first-round pick if Carson Wentz plays 75% of the snaps and they make the playoffs. I don't know how good they'll be this season with Hurts under center, but they're one of the most intriguing teams in the NFC. Smith could be rookie of the year.

Pro Football Focus | Grade B- 

The Eagles need elite players at many different positions, and they get one by initially trading down but then trading up to take DeVonta Smith. The Heisman Trophy winner immediately becomes the best receiver on Philadelphia’s roster. All Smith did last season was produce a 94.9 PFF grade with 23 touchdowns. He can play either wide or in the slot — it doesn’t matter. His diminutive size may have scared some teams off, but he has shown he can get open against anyone.

Chad Rueter | NFL.com | Grade A

The Eagles became the first team in 16 years to use back-to-back first-round selections on receivers when they traded up two spots to pick Smith (they selected Jalen Reagor 21st overall last April). Smith is an outstanding talent who could very well prove worthy of sending their division-rival Cowboys a third-rounder for the two-spot swap. Dickerson was selected as a guard and could be center Jason Kelce’s replacement in a year or two, though his injury history made him a bit of a risk as a top-40 pick. Williams’ athleticism had earned him a spot in the third round. He'll give Philly some needed depth at defensive tackle.

Nate Davis | USA Today | Grade A 

If the mandate was indeed to provide direct support to second-year QB Jalen Hurts, not a much better way to do it than going to Alabama for Heisman Trophy-winning WR DeVonta Smith in Round 1 and highly regarded blocker Landon Dickerson in Round 2. Fifth-round RB Kenneth Gainwell could be a boon to a run game that hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2014. And other pre-draft moves, including parting with QB Carson Wentz, mean this team is likely to have three first-rounders next year. Not bad.

Vinny Iyer | Sporting News | Grade B

It’s fair to call this class solid but not spectacular for GM Howie Roseman, at least after the trade up to pick Smith. The Eagles went down the line addressing their needs and probably landed a couple near-future starters on top of Smith and Dickerson.

The Ringer | Grade B+

The Eagles sent Dallas a third-round pick to move up two spots in the first round and select Smith, but that seems worth it: They come away with a big-time playmaker and the no. 1 receiver for their offense. Philly doubled down on Alabama players by nabbing Dickerson, who should bolster the interior of their line right away. I’m intrigued by Gainwell, as the fifth-round pick could complement Miles Sanders and become a pass-catching threat in space. And on defense, the Eagles did well by nabbing Williams and Tuipulotu. The former has the tools to emerge as a subpackage rusher early in his career.

Yahoo Sports | Grade B+ 

It's hard to criticize a team for targeting Alabama players in the early rounds. The Eagles traded up to select Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who had one of the best seasons in college football history at Alabama in 2020. In the second round, the Eagles took a future starter in Alabama guard Landon Dickerson, who only slid to the second round because of injury concerns. If he's healthy, the Eagles got a massive steal.