We all saw the Eagles' overwhelmed and overmatched defense that ended last season. And the immediate reaction would be to rebuild it in the draft.

So, why not grab that defensive lineman in the first round, especially after the Eagles apparently told team sacks leader Haason Reddick to seek a trade? And take that cornerback or safety with one of their two second-round picks to replace James Bradberry and Kevin Byard, both of whom likely won't return.

And sure, consider a linebacker with their compensatory pick at the end of the third round, with underwhelming veterans Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow and Shaquille Leonard all eligible for free agency and not expected back.

But it would make more sense to approach it the other way, by going for offense in the early rounds.

The Eagles already have a young defensive line, especially with Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham not expected back, and possibly Reddick too. So it would make more sense to add a top-tier free agent over a draft pick.

It's the same thing at defensive back. The Eagles need a top-caliber cornerback who can play right away opposite Darius Slay, not an early-round draft pick who might need an acclimation period. Besides, the Eagles already have young corners in Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks.

At safety, they can find a Byard replacement in free agency to play next to Reed Blankenship, especially after taking Sydney Brown in the third round. Brown would have likely been the answer, but he tore his ACL in the regular-season finale and might not be ready for Week 1.

Conversely, the Eagles are more of a veteran group on offense, and a draft pick could learn and contribute at the same time.

Here, then, is an Eagles-only mock draft, version 1.0:

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Round 6, No. 188, Jarius Monroe, CB, Tulane

This picks comes from Atlanta, and it's a good spot to add depth at corner behind Darius Slay and a likely free agent veteran starter. The Eagles developed young players in Ringo and Ricks last season. Monroe, the defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl, can be in the mix there as well.

Round 5, No. 177, Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

The last of the Eagles' three comp picks in the fifth round, Burton checks all of the Eagles' boxes as he began his career at Georgia and finished it at Alabama. But the stat that sticks out is Burton averaged 20.2 yards per catch last season, which led the SEC. He could be a Quez Watkins deep threat replacement − as long as he can catch the ball.

Round 5, No. 170, Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State

The Eagles will use the second of their three fifth-round comp picks on a tight end who is more of a receiving threat than the two on the roster behind Dallas Goedert. Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra combined for only 9 catches for 77 yards last season. And that was with Goedert missing 5 games. Holker had 767 yards receiving last season.

Round 5, No. 169, Demani Richardson, S, Texas A&M

This is the first of three comp picks for the Eagles. Richardson, at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, has good size to stop the run and defend against the pass. Assuming the Eagles sign a starter next to Reed Blankenship in free agency, Richardson could fill in as the third safety until Sydney Brown is ready to return.

Round 5, No. 159, Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

This pick is from Tampa Bay, and it's a good spot for the Eagles to create linebacker depth. Liufau would be able to develop behind Nakobe Dean and a veteran they sign in free agency. The Eagles also have Ben VanSumeren, who made the team last season as an undrafted free agent. Liufau fits the mold of a linebacker who can cover, stop the run and rush the passer.

Round 3, No. 97, MarShawn Lloyd, running back, USC

There's a good chance the Eagles won't re-sign D'Andre Swift. And rather than pay for a free agent, the Eagles can go with Lloyd, who grew up in Middletown, Delaware. Lloyd averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season for the Trojans. He isn't as accomplished as a receiver, but the Eagles have Kenny Gainwell for that.

Round 2, No. 53, Adisa Isaac, edge, Penn State

There's a chance Isaac, who had 7.5 sacks last season and was considered one of the top players at the Senior Bowl, could be gone before this pick. But there should be top-caliber edge rusher available, whether it's him or Kansas' Austin Booker. Either way, the Eagles need to add to their rotation at edge rusher.

Round 2, No. 50, Michael Penix, QB, Washington

This is the gift that keeps on giving from New Orleans in the 2022 1st-round pick swap. Why would the Eagles use it on a quarterback? For one, Penix was a prolific passer his final two seasons at Washington, and at 24 years old with an injury history, he'd probably scare off teams looking for a franchise QB.

Secondly, the Eagles could be better off with Penix as Jalen Hurts' backup for about $1.5 million on the salary cap, as opposed to a veteran making between $5-10 million. They can invest those savings on defense in free agency.

Round 1, No. 22: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

It's time for the Eagles to move on from the Quez Watkins experience. While Coleman doesn't have Watkins' speed, he does have the attribute that Watkins lacks: He can catch. And at 6-4, 215 pounds, think of Coleman as a younger version of Julio Jones or Alshon Jeffrey. That's someone with speed who can win 50-50 balls.

In addition, with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, the Eagles can work Coleman in at his own pace. And if they decide not to re-sign Brown after the 2025 season, Coleman and Smith could make a daunting pair.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles only mock draft: Why they should go offense in 1st, 2nd round