Eagles mocks, draft thoughts
A few new mock drafts have been released since the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans earlier this week.
Eagles mocks, draft thoughts
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
A few new mock drafts have been released since the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans earlier this week.
And yesterday, Paul Domowitch of the Daily News wrote about how the acquisition of Ryans could affect the team's plans.
Below is a mock roundup, broken down by position. I have also offered some thoughts on what I think the Eagles might do with the 15th pick.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Birds selecting Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox:
Cox is the kind of potential three-technique who can create behind the line of scrimmage and stop plays before they start. The Eagles don’t have a huge need at DT, but Cox could still mature into a playmaker inside, at a position where Philly lacks an impact guy.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com also has the Birds taking Cox:
The Eagles' struggles against the run have been pinned on the young linebackers, but the inability to control the interior triangle was due to their inconsistency at defensive tackle. Cox is a high-motor playmaker with outstanding athleticism to give the Eagles' defense a jolt.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe:
Given that the Eagles made a move to acquire DeMeco Ryans from the Texans, GM/coach Andy Reid might decide to address his defensive line in the first round for the fourth time in eight years. Poe's combination of size and athleticism are formidable.
My take: Defensive tackle should absolutely be considered at No. 15. Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins are both coming off very good years, but as I have explained before, the Eagles will play four different guys inside. They re-signed Antonio Dixon, who is a legit run stopper, even if he hasn't shown much as a pass rusher. That potentially leaves one spot open, which could go to Derek Landri or Trevor Laws, if either guy is re-signed. Laws visited the Patriots last week, per ESPNBoston.com. Landri was a better player last season.
If the Eagles spend an early pick on a defensive tackle, the thought process is simple. He plays about 40 percent of the snaps as a rookie, spelling Patterson or Jenkins. He gets a chance to start if either guy suffers an injury (or if he just proves to be a better option). And next year, he competes for a larger role.
SAFETY
Charley Casserly of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Alabama safety Mark Barron:
Philadelphia's Wide 9 defense needs a physical downhill safety.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com also has the Birds taking Barron:
The Eagles invested a pair of second-round picks and a seventh in safeties over just the past two years but still haven't found a starting combination that has played with any consistency. Barron is the unquestioned top prospect at the position this year and is both physical against the run and a ball hawk. Considering the passing attacks in the NFC East, investing in an all-purpose defensive back with Barron's instincts and pro-readiness seems like a good fit.
My take: This is a tough position to figure out for the Eagles. I'm comfortable penciling Nate Allen in at free safety. His performance at the end of last season was encouraging.
The strong safety spot, however, is up for grabs, and Jaiquawn Jarrett is the X-factor. I'm sure the Eagles would like him to win the starting job, but Jarrett was unable to do that as a rookie. Are they confident he'll be ready for that role after a full offseason? We'll likely find out based on what moves they make at safety in the rest of free agency and the draft.
Kurt Coleman is a decent backup option, and if the Eagles don't upgrade at the position, he'll likely compete with Jarrett for a starting spot.
If the Eagles really like Barron and have questions about Jarrett, it makes sense to consider him. But my guess is they won't draft a safety early.
CORNERBACK
Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk has the Birds going with South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore:
The Eagles are prepared to part with Asante Samuel; Gilmore replaces him.
My take: Heading into training camp last season, the Eagles were stacked at cornerback. But now, drafting a corner early makes a lot of sense.
Asante Samuel is likely to be traded this offseason, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is onliy signed through 2012. The Eagles could take a chance and extend Rodgers-Cromartie (turns 26 in April) before the season. They could surely get a better deal now than they would after the season, if Rodgers-Cromartie plays well. Then again, he didn't do a lot last year to warrant a significant investment from the team. Yes, Rodgers-Cromartie looked more comfortable playing outside than in the slot, but his poor tackling and failure to play to the whistle are concerns.
Also, Nnamdi Asomugha turns 31 in July.
The other guy to consider here is Joselio Hanson. In the final two weeks of the season, with Samuel out, Hanson played 58 percent and 73 percent of the defensive snaps, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. Overall, he had an OK season, and was the team's best tackling corner, but if the Eagles see a prospect with the ability to play inside, they would probably consider upgrading.
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Poll: Will Ryans make a huge difference as an Eagles LB?
I'm warming up to taking a DT in the first round...but if the BC kid is still there at #15 or we have a chance to move up a couple spots to grab him and then play him at SAM...I'm all for that as well.— THE-KID (WI)- Good stuff as always Sheil. I really like all four DTs if they resign Landri, and I agree with your point on Barron at 15. But as long as we're talking "estate-planning" for Asomugha, Patterson, and Jenkins, shouldn't we also think about a long term replacement for Peters? If three QBs go in the top 9, we could be looking at a quality O-line prospect falling to 15.— dragoon6
- If we're talking only about the first pick -- #15 overall -- that player should be someone who could play immediately. There are only a couple of places such a player is needed, now that Ryans is in the fold. They won't take a safety this high, there's no way they take a corner this high, nor a running back, QB, O-lineman, or wide receiver. LB is a possibility, but with so many young guys to compete for the OLB spots, I don't see it. That leaves defensive end or defensive tackle, both of which could use some depth. Consensus is that this is a weak draft for quality DEs, which leave DT -- OR they could simply trade down and out of the first round altogether, something the Eagles don't have a problem doing.
I think that they will take a safety, at least, in the later rounds, along with a QB (Brandon Weeden, please!!!), and maybe a WR to handle kickoff and punt returns. Definitely a DE later, and depending on whether they bring in another RB or CB in free agency, they'll draft one of each.
First round, though? That belongs to the DT.— critias - I think the order should be the following at 15: Poe, Kuechly, Cox. I don't think they can't go wrong with any of these guys. The defense needs talent and athleticism. Kuechly and Ryans are good enough athletes where either can play the outside. If they go DT in first round, I would be okay if they moved up in second to get Zach Brown. The only scenario that may trump the one I listed above is if Tannehill somehow goes unpicked. Then I would absolutely snap him up at 15. No way in Hades should they overthink the 15th pick and get cute...but history proves that will likely happen.— beegal99
- In terms of safety, I would bring in either Otogwe or Bell on a one year deal. Both are better than Coleman and would provide insurance if Jarrett fails again in training camp.— beegal99
- Jaiquawn Jarrett is the Mike Mamula of Safety's - a day late and a dollar short - always a step or two too slow to make the play.— Bobphxville
Comment removed.- Whoever we draft will most likely be a backup this year, so they should take the best available player.— ej610
- I don't think Kuechly will be available at #15, but if he is - take him; he'll be essentially ready to play right away. if not, I love the idea of Poe - huge, athletic, and mean.— CTL
- With the acquisition of Demeco Ryans, I'm ok with the birds taking Luke Kuechly (not that they need my blessing. I think he would be an upgrade at the SAM. If not him, then Poe, Cox or Brockers will be selection I hope!!!— Eaglehaslanded
- My choices are DT in round 1, then a big-bodied RB later, and a tall WR. The RB should be capable of carrying the ball 20 times a game because when Vick goes down, the Eagles will need to run the ball (since they don't have a quality backup).— 4thand10
- In the 2nd, if Cousins is there, take him too.— Koons
- Poe is a marshmallow who got single blocked by average to below average guards and tackles all season. His motor is stuck in neutral and he'll never be an impact player in the NFL because for all of his size he has no heart.
Kuechly most likely will be gone but even if he isn't let him go. You have Ryans in the middle and plenty of guys just like Kuechly on the roster already. Drafting him now makes no senses.
Barron would be a nice fit here. I thought they should have drafted Earl Thomas, who went to the Pro Bowl. Barron is very similar to Thomas and would be a huge upgrade.
Cox would be the best DT to draft who would fit this type of scheme. He's relentless and quick.
Barron or Cox, either guy, otherwise, just another year of average picks who make little or no impact on this roster.
Oh and the Mamula comment shows the continued ignorance. He was an OLB best suited to a 3-4 defense. He played DE end here and played as well as could be expected given his size and skill set. It's not his fault he was drafted to play the wrong pro position but he never quit, always worked hard and was a good teammate. It would do you well to remember that.— amg - amg...I can still remember Ray Rhodes words after the Birds passed on Warren Sapp and drafted Mike Mamula..."We're going to move him all over the defense and create mismatches". Mamula was too slow to play any of the backer positions in the 4-3...of course you've stated that he was best suited to play the 3-4; but at that time, it was said that Mamula felt more comfortable with his hand on the ground. — hope55
- Andy Reid quoted by AP as of 8 am this morning:
"We are trading all of our first and second round picks to Dallas in exchange for 5 Big Mac meals and a Mister Softee double ice cream cone. We feel that would get the best bang for our buck. I just hope they super size the fries."
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