April 02, 2015
All of the below is a lot of wasted text if the Eagles find a way to trade up and draft Marcus Mariota. However, if the Eagles stand pat at pick No. 20, the following mock drafts give an idea of what players might be available when they are on the clock on draft night.
In case you missed any of the three mock drafts we put out this offseason so far, you can find them below:
• Eagles only mock draft: Version 1.0, pre-Combine edition
• Eagles only mock draft: Version 2.0, post-Combine edition
• Eagles only mock draft: Version 3.0, post-free agency edition
Onto the draft guys:
Analysis: The Eagles have been very active in free agency and via trades so far this offseason, adding QB Sam Bradford, RB DeMarco Murray, LB Kiko Alonso and CBs Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, among others. Receiver and outside linebacker are need areas, but I'll have them address the safety position with Collins, who is an athletic strong safety prospect built like a weakside linebacker who can hold up in coverage and be a force for Philly in run support.
#JimmySays: I had Collins as the Eagles' #1 pick in my mock draft, version 2.0, but I've come to disagree with myself. While I like Collins quite a bit, I don't think the Eagles will. I believe they are set on acquiring versatile safeties with can drop down and cover slot receivers man-to-man, and I'm not sure Collins is that guy.
The Eagles want to upgrade the secondary to better handle the explosive offenses that reside in the NFC. Collins is a long, rangy press corner with the potential to blossom into a premier player at the position.
#JimmySays: This feels reach'y. If you're going to miss on a player in the first round, I'd rather miss on a guy with a huge ceiling, like Jalen Collins. But are you passing up on a better player for a need here?
Several directions the Eagles could go here, but Collins makes them tougher and substantially better on the back-end.
#JimmySays: I agree with Zierlein on his analysis, but again, I just don't think that's the way the Eagles will go, although maybe they should.
A safety to patrol the middle of the field might be preferable, but with Landon Collins off the board, Eagles take willowy CB to deal with Dallas WR Dez Bryant.
#JimmySays: Is "willowy" good?
Size, speed and man-coverage ability make Waynes very appealing to Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Bill Davis, who played a lot of Cover 1 a year ago but didn’t have the cover guys to pull it off. Waynes was put on an island in Pat Narduzzi’s demanding scheme a year ago and was mostly great, seeming to struggle only in off coverage against quicker receivers on short stuff. Clean that up and Waynes could be an All-Pro.
#JimmySays: Waynes won't be there when the Eagles pick at 20, but if he is, the guy who hands the card in should be in a full-on sprint to the podium.
Chip Kelly loves his Ducks. If unable to swing a big move for Mariota or unwilling to gamble on the similar athletic Brett Hundley, Kelly and the Eagles may see Armstead as an ideal complement to Fletcher Cox and a developing Philadelphia defensive line.
#JimmySays: This was Rang's pick the last time around, too, and I'll say what I said then -- Hate it. And really, I'd hate it even if the Eagles weren't already stacked along their defensive line. Armstead is a beast of a man at 6'7, 292, but with a measly four career sacks at Oregon, if I'm drafting a defensive lineman in the first round, he better be an impact player I can't pass up, and Armstead hasn't proven yet that he's that.
Few saw the Eagles drafting Marcus Smith in the first round last year and coach Chip Kelly could surprise again this year with Rowe. Philadelphia needs help in the secondary and Rowe offers versatility at both corner and safety.
#JimmySays: And like the Marcus Smith pick, this would be a severe reach. Rowe has been on my radar since September, and while he killed the Combine, he did not play well at the Senior Bowl and did not look at all like a first round pick in his senior senior at Utah. I like his size/speed combo, but come on.
Chip Kelly's reworking his defense this offseason but needs to improve at the safety position. Collins is easily the best guy on the board for them there.
#JimmySays: Aaaand Landon Collins wins for most mock drafted player this time around.
20. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (MOCK TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA) Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia: Last week, Chip Kelly said fixing the defense is the top priority. They have to get better coming off the edge.
#JimmySays: The Eagles apparently traded their pick to the Jaguars, and then picked Eli Harold anyway. If Chip Kelly pulls that off, then I'll be impressed.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
