Eagles mocks, draft thoughts
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Eagles mocks, draft thoughts
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Below is a roundup of some recently released mocks, along with my draft thoughts.
And be sure to check out Birds' Eye View and Eagletarian for coverage from Andy Reid's breakfast with reporters at the NFL owners' meetings.
SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles grabbing Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with the 15th pick:
The DeMeco Ryans trade means the Eagles have their 2012 starting middle linebacker already on their roster. That frees up Philly to look at several positions in the first round, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and safety among them. Cox is the draft's third-rated DT, and while the position isn't an urgent need, you know how Andy Reid loves his big guys up front.
It would not surprise me if the Eagles went with a defensive tackle in the first round. Derek Landri and Trevor Laws remain free agents, but the Birds could pick a DT, get him on the field right away as part of Jim Washburn's rotation and expand his role in 2013.
Lance Zierlein of TheSidelineView.com has the Eagles going with Michael Brockers:
Brockers may not make it past the Chiefs, but if he does, the Eagles will be salivating. Brockers plays with power against the run and while he's not a great pass rusher, the Eagles need a run stuffer much more than another pass rusher.
Brockers reportedly has a visit scheduled with the Eagles. In terms of finding a defensive tackle who excels against the run, I think the Eagles have that in Antonio Dixon.
Zierlein also mocks the second round, projecting California linebacker Mychal Kendricks and Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David for the Eagles.
Kendricks (5-11, 239) had an outstanding combine, leading all linebackers with a 40 time of 4.47 seconds. Although he's not the biggest guy, Kendricks was productive in college too, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2011. NFL.com's scouting report describes him as a "very solid tackler who punishes running backs when he fills the gap on inside runs."
David (6-1, 233) has trouble shedding blocks, but does a pretty good job in coverage, according NFL.com's scouting report.
Nolan Nawrocki of ProFootballWeekly.com suggests the Eagles could take North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples:
The Eagles made a run at Julius Peppers several years ago but were unable to land him. Coples is not quite as gifted and brings more issues about his competitiveness, but DL coach Jim Washburn has made his name maximizing underachievers. Coples can be special inside or outside if he plays up to his potential.
Coples (6-6, 284) would give the Eagles some size and length at defensive end. The Birds seem to have their defensive end rotation set with Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Brandon Graham and Darryl Tapp. But if they see value in Coples, they could certainly find a way to use him - either in place of Tapp, or as Nawrocki suggests, on the inside.
Jonathan Bales, a contributor to The Fifth Down blog on the New York Times' Web site, has the Eagles taking Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick:
Another cornerback? No. Kirkpatrick is being viewed by many as the draft’s top safety.
I guess this one depends on how the Eagles view Kirkpatrick (6-2, 186). Much of what happens at safety depends on the development of second-year player Jaiquawn Jarrett. But the Birds could definitely go cornerback early, with Asante Samuel expected to be traded, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie signed only through 2012 and Nnamdi Asomugha turning 31 before next season.
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Um yeah Coples will be gone before 15. Flether Cox is rated 3rd of the 4 DTs graded as 1st rounders, and he's the smallest. Bank on him being the guy.— Only in Philly...- Mychal Kendricks (LB from Cal) is a beast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA3_XaOOIiA— Eagles_Nation - Mayock was high on CB Gilmore proday at South Caro. Mayock said 10 to 15 type pick.— TXEaglesFan
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15th, DT Brockers has a massive frame and likely has the ability to fluctuate his weight
46th, WR Alshon Jeffery is a lanky prospect who uses his size well to make plays on the ball downfield.
51st, QB Ryan Lindley has a very lively arm and can drive the ball from anywhere on the field
88th LB Dont'a Hightower is lengthy and imposing lining up in the middle of a defense.
114th, CB Stephon Gilmore has impressive footwork for his size which he uses well in a shuffle-shuffle-bail technique
153rd, T Marcel Jones is one of the top offensive tackles in the class after starting for two years
— Dexter - Since we won't get RGIII I say go get the sleeper pick, Russell Wilson. He'd be a steal for this team in later round.— realtruth
- What good is an elite defense without an physical eltie offense? Sound familiar oh yea the RAVENS! every year the Ravens defense is rated one of the best in the league. But what about the offense. they have ray rice, boldin. whats missing? another physical receiver to compliment boldin. The eagles need to consider Michael FLoyd if he drops to 15. Then we can grab the best linebacker and CORNER on the board. The if we pass on Floyd the JETS or the Bears will grab him. Scouts are ranking him close to Blackmon who is rated the #1 receiver on the board. Floyd is ranked the #2. It would be nice to have another clutch WR that can make plays when it counts. This would allow Maclin and Desean to focus down the field. Keeping our defense off the field— Yes_General
- they will make sure that they get a lineman or linebacker , who's under ^foot tall that what they do short and small. we need to get a 6'$ 330 dt devon still and a ^'3 inch linebacker and yes we are hurting at corner drc is soft and can't tackle namdi is 31 in a yr or 2 hell be a safety that leaves us wit josilio hanson and curtis marsh yea they sound like super bowl caliber covers— phillyboyda1
- they will make sure that they get a lineman or linebacker , who's under ^foot tall that what they do short and small. we need to get a 6'$ 330 dt devon still and a ^'3 inch linebacker and yes we are hurting at corner drc is soft and can't tackle namdi is 31 in a yr or 2 hell be a safety that leaves us wit josilio hanson and curtis marsh yea they sound like super bowl caliber covers— phillyboyda1
- I still take Kuechly if he's there.— ICDogg
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