Mock roundup: Projecting the Eagles' pick
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Mock roundup: Projecting the Eagles' pick
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
It's a slow Friday without much going on pertaining to the Eagles, but here are a few mock drafts to take a look at.
Of course, take these with a grain of salt. Teams' rosters will look a lot different between now and April's draft. But these are some names that could be worth keeping an eye on. Maybe.
The roundup:
ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Eagles going with Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still at No. 15:
Opinions on Still vary widely. I have an early-second round grade on him, but many feel he is a mid-first-rounder. There is a lot to like about his upside, given his size and ability to penetrate and disrupt. He is inconsistent on tape, but it's hard to find guys with his combination of skills. Alabama S Mark Barron would be a consideration, but the Eagles got S Jaiquan Jarrett in the second round last year, and this would be a bit early for an outside linebacker like North Carolina's Zach Brown. Philadelphia fans, feel free to disagree.
McShay has Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly going 12th to the Chiefs.
The Eagles currently have Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins under contract for 2012. I'd expect both to be back as starters, although Howie Roseman wouldn't say for certain that Jenkins would be back when he spoke to the beat guys in Mobile, Ala. Antonio Dixon is a restricted free agent, coming off of a season-ending injury. Trevor Laws and Derek Landri are both free agents. Landri was a nice addition last season, and the Eagles would be smart to bring him back.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Kuechly at No. 15.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post also has the Eagles taking Kuechly:
A tackling machine with good size, natural instincts and knowledge to fend off blocks and find the football. Is the kind of talent the Eagles need inside to improve their struggling linebacking corps.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com has the Eagles taking North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown:
Though the Eagles defense finished the season strong, their linebackers still had their issues. The LBs were a problem all season. In Brown, a guy I like considerably more as an NFL prospect than Boston College’s Luke Kuechly, the Eagles would get the type of player that’s in on every play with a ton of potential to get better. A 6-foot-2, 240-pound tackling machine, Brown’s a guy who changes games. Watching a UNC game is like watching a Zach Brown highlight reel. The Eagles could use some of that resourcefulness roaming the middle.
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Any so-called draft "expert" that projects a LB to be taken in the 1st round by the Eagles needs to be fired. If your job is projecting NFL draft picks, you would have to have been asleep in a cave for the last 12 years to not know that Reid does not, I repeat NOT, take LBs with 1st round draft picks. He doesn't even like using 2nd round picks on them.— JimG- Everyone can debate all day long as to whether any of these players are worthy. Point being is that their needs need to be addressed early on in the draft. Jenkins needs help in the middle. The ILB is a glaring weakness on the defense. They don't have a playmaking OLB. If Desean is gone, they need a burner at WR to keep defenses honest. Those are the simple truths.— beegal99
- They have to trade Asante. He is a $9.5 mil hit against the 2012 cap. Yardbarker is on record as saying the Birds can get a 2nd round pick for him. That said, if he's there, I grab Still with 1st round pick. With three 2nd round picks, you can address ILB/OLB/WR, because Jackson won't be back. Via FA, I'd look to sign Vincent Jackson or Dwayne Bowe. In addition, I'd admit to the Jarrett mis-draft and sign Tyvon Branch, SS, from the Raiders. That would significantly upgrade the talent on this roster.— beegal99
- They always win the Outsmart Bowl.— rubicon24
- None of these predictions matter one iota, because Andy and Howie go after specific players they like, to the exclusion of everyone else in the league - those high-motor midgets they absolutely love that other franchises have rated much lower (because they ARE much lower prospects). They will take the guy they like in a higher round if they think someone will take him in the next. Roseman admitted this in a recent interview. It's an insane method of drafting, but that's what they do. They both have this "I'm an unsung genius" complex and it is killing this team. Lots of facepalming ahead for us Iggle fans, and cries of "They drafted WHO????" - Again.— NM Eagle fan
- @William20, you made my day with that Rodger neigborhood remark lol— Wide-9
- I think they should take Barron or the best linebacker to fall to #15 -- either of those two positions and then take the best player available.— armchairGM
- Whoever they take I bet he has a high motor— eaglessuck@life
- I'd like to know where McShay is getting his info; Still had a good PSU career, but questions about his conditioning do make me wonder. This is the first I've heard the Eagles were even interested in him; I don't know how good he'd be against the run. Burfict would fill a key need at LB, but I can't imagine Roseman taking him. The BC kid is more their speed, no pun intended.
- Burfct? Far from perfect
In wide nine doesn't fit
And, kind-of-a s#!t
Seriously - The Eagles should not draft this guy; he doesn't fit their scheme.— Warhound - Who cares?! I'm done with them until they get rid of FF Andy Reid.— 5NOT4
- Unless something earth-shattering occurs via Free Agency, Eagles' fans will be disappointed with the number 1 pick. Which will be spent on the "best character/athelete/leader/available at the time" guy that most likely won't fill ANY of the teams real needs.— billtfla
- All I can say is be ready for another disappointing draft this will be the 14 year of what the hell was he thinking, what we all think is safe etc etc they are in the land with Mr Rodger's its a beautiful day in the neighborhood— william20
- If the Eagles had been smart, they would have lost the last 4 games. Then they could draft any of the top picks, perhaps even RGIII. Now they may have to trade up just to get Kuechly.— 4thand10
- topwonk:
Agreed, but I thought it was his conditioning.— banned - Since Devon Still is projected as a second round pick, the Eagles are more than likely to use their first pick on him.— dasher
- wtf they better keep jenkins. why would they let him go? is he too big? srsly any 5'9" 210 lbs fast division 2 defensives ends that are blind available?— bloodymess
- Here's hoping they don't take Still. Yes he had a good career and seems to be high;y rated. But as the article points out, he is inconsistent. I saw one game that is all I need to know about him. He was totally abused and handled in the loss late in the season against Wisconsin, to the point where he was benched for a portion of the 2nd half. He is not that strong and the Wisconsin O-Lineman blocked him all day long. If the Eagles take him over one of the LBs mentioned in the article, or an LB or safety from Alabama if available, it will be yet another mistake in a litany of them for Eagles drafts.— topwonk
- I need a high motor type guy !!!!!!!
lol lol lol lol lol lol lol— hflu123 - he can tackle in the Big East but, can he tackle in the NFL?— dwilly
- Vontaze Burfict.— Phillycb21
- TRADE FAT ANDREW AND MOVE UP IN THE DRAFT! HAAAAAA— Pete60
- not to worry...andy reid will draft the sleeper that everyone thought was going in the 6th round to show how much smarter he is than everyone else— AlexSp
- Courtney Upshaw— Astro Jones
- Still is a monster, but wears down easily. Not sure if that's a conditioning issue. All the LBs mentioned are too small for the wide 9. 240lbs won't get the job done Lewis and Urlacher are in the 250s Fletcher is 245 but under 6 feet.— banned
- Let's get to the bottom line bi fat stubborn idiotic Andy Reid will take draft based on the philosophy of "let's throw some fastballs at them" which means either a 260 lb. d-end or a 290 lb d-tackle or a 230 lb. outside lb. The same failed light in the loafers finess football forgetting that it is a land acquisition game.— uts
- "natural instincts and knowledge to fend off blocks and find the football." - Yeah, this was against ACC competition. BC sucked this year and the D was constantly on the field. Last time we took an under-sized defensive player from BC was Mamula. How'd he turn out? Burfict, while a head-case, would be nice on the strong side with Cheany and Rolle. If the Eagles let DJ go, grabbing a big target for Vick is also a possibility. But in the end, Reid will draft someone with a high motor who gets to the ball. If it's Kuechly, get ready for disappointment.
— ESFjellin - These mock draft predictions are useless when it comes to the Eagles. They reflect what they should do (like taking a stud LB this year) but every year the team comes up with selctions that nobody saw coming, players who were projected to go lower in the draft cause they think they are smarter than everyone else. How has that worked out on defense the last few years, Andy?— BigRed1
- These mock draft predictions are useless when it comes to the Eagles. They reflect what they should do (like taking a stud LB this year) but every year the team comes up with selctions that nobody saw coming, players who were projected to go lower in the draft cause they think they are smarter than everyone else. How has that worked out on defense the last few years, Andy?— BigRed1
- The Eagles brass should be fired if they do not pick Vontaze Burfit in the 1st and Janzen Jackson in the second. zach Brown may be a safe pick but Burfit is the most talented lb in the draft. He is a Ray Lewis type. Janzen Jackson consistently runs a 4.2 40. He is much more talented than any free safety we have on the roster. these kids may have had some minor off the field problems during their college careers. They were kids!!! We hear a lot about character players. THe Eagles drafted a great character player in Casey Matthews. The problem is not his character-- he just can't play!!!— reveugene
- That's "Burfict" — Bobphxville
- What they need is an undersized D-lineman with a good motor.— Vituperator
- That one made me shoot my coffee through my nose.
Unfortunately, you are right. Andy is smarterer than every body else.— fmMD - WMR, you share my fears...and mocks are a waste of time till after FA. If they don't extend Jenkins...DT with #1.— tpizza
- How can anyone predict who or what the Eagles will draft in the first round. They drafted a 26 yr old offensive lineman last year, after trading up and down and out of the first round the previous several years.You just have to sit, wait, and then groan.— watsonmr
- I predict robynk is 1000% right!— Geno D
- I think they should think OT. F/A of trade is where they should pick up an experienced linebacker.— chgtown
- When does fa start?late Feb?if they go d line I will lose mt mfn mind.— Sean s.
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