NFL Draft 2021: Start Time, When The Eagles Pick

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The future of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise may be known by the end of the week, as the 2021 NFL Draft runs from Thursday night through Saturday in Cleveland.

With 11 picks over the draft’s seven rounds, the Eagles have more selections than any other team in Philadelphia. They've traded away their top pick, which would've been 6th overall, to the Miami Dolphins, and their first pick will come in at 12th overall.

It's the most intriguing draft for the Birds in years, due to the catastrophic 2020 season that ultimately saw the departure of Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson and former franchise quarterback Carson Wentz. Not since the Eagles picked Wentz 2nd overall in the 2016 draft has there been so much reason to pay attention to what the Birds do.

The top position Eagles have been identified as wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, linebacker, and defensive line, according to an NFL.com analysis. The Eagles FL season with a 4-11-1 record.

Expert opinions vary, but the the Eagles are slated to pick cornerback Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama with the 12th pick in the draft, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporters’ latest mock draft.

Wide receiver is another clear position of need, and no matter where they wind up picking, bolstering their corps there is likely.

Of course, there's also the distinct possibility the Eagles could trade up for a higher pick to get a different player as the draft approaches.

The first round of the draft will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday. Rounds 2-3 will follow on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and rounds 4-7 on Saturday at noon. All picks will be broadcast live on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network.