Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
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Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's the weekly roundup of mock drafts and projections for the Eagles.
ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Eagles taking Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod in the first round, Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson in the second round and Buffalo cornerback Joshua Thomas in the third round.
McShay also put together a mock draft with the help of a pair of NFL scouts. In that projection, the Eagles picked up Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith at No. 23:
As much talk as there has been about CB Jimmy Smith falling because of character concerns, it's becoming clear that teams are getting more comfortable with his issues. One of Smith's biggest issues seems to be who he surrounds himself with and he's making it clear to teams that he's looking forward to leaving that behind and taking charge of his own life in a new city.
Smith going to Philadelphia at No. 23 jives with what we're hearing from others around the league and is more in line with the impressive overall physical tools he possesses.
A new name has popped up on the roundup. SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles going with Baylor offensive tackle Danny Watkins in the first round:
Guard and tackle are two of the Eagles' biggest needs, and Watkins can play both spots. A former fireman who grew up playing hockey in British Columbia, Canada, Watkins is already 26, but he's a mature and reliable presence who would instantly upgrade a Philly offensive line that was decimated by injuries last season.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Birds going with Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi:
Depending on how the Eagles feel about their current starting right tackle, Winston Justice, and his chances of staying healthy for next season, the team could go in another direction with this pick. Carimi, the Outland Trophy winner at left tackle, projects best on the right side in the NFL. Selecting a right tackle with enhanced pass blocking skills compared to current backup King Dunlap would be wise, especially considering he'll be protecting the blindside of the left-handed Michael Vick.
Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com also thinks the Birds will go with Carimi:
New offensive line coach Howard Mudd will like the toughness Carimi brings to the table.
John Crist of Scout.com says it'll be Smith for the Birds:
There are concerns about Smith's character, no question about it, but he's by far the top cornerback in the draft not named Peterson or Amukamara.
Adam Caplan of FoxSports.com has Smith going to the Eagles also:
This selection is really about taking the best player available at the position of need. There are no other players here other than Smith and possibly Akeem Ayers who make sense. The Eagles could get a developmental guard later on.
Pat Kirwan of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder:
Solder is a pass blocker and Andy Reid loves to throw the ball. The Eagles have had problems with their offensive tackles on and off the field this year. Solder, a former tight end, will flourish in this system. The Eagles will get defensive help in Round 2.
Steve Wyche of NFL.com has the Birds going with Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget:
The Eagles want to build up their defensive front, hence the hiring of defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who was able to get the best out of Albert Haynesworth.
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Hey Sheil, these guys change their mock drafts so often, can you give us a link in your next piece to an article you did after last year's draft providing data on who was right most often over all of their iterations?— calm weather- Nickels knows what hes doing— Kenny Junod.
- Answer ... probably the wrong guy— shawnmac
- Mike Mayock hits his drafts pretty often..I trust what he says, plus he knows the eagles following them his whole life— crohnkiller
- O-lneman— ej610
- One thing is for sure...nobody really knows.— MJPD345
- Hopefully they take Julio Jones. Reid screws up 1st round picks anyway, can't hurt..— crohnkiller
- carimi looks like the real deal;....but smith looks like a great talent as well,....any chance the Kolb trade could bring both these guys?,...assuming the work stoppage is over very, very soon of course,...and that doesn't look promising at this point— SyddBarrett
- Why speculate? What we DO know...their first pick will be unexpected and "odd" by most assessments (how else can they show how much smarter they are than everybody else?). And...the pick will produce and dwell in mediocrity!— bartfr
- It will be someone they barely interviewed and didn't work out.— ej610
- OLine at #23. Maybe Carimi or Sherrod— CouchKing
- You guys act like they never make a good pick, or win a game for that matter. Last season Green Bay was lucky to beat the Eagles, missed field goals gave them a gift win. This is the same Green Bay that won the Super Bowl, people.— Paul SoTX
- He better have a "high motor"— dragoon6
Comment removed.- Unless something has changed on who evaluates defensive talent, whooever they take will be a reach and a bust. This team has not drafted well on that side of the ball since Modrak— yourdaddy!
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