Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
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Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I'm trying something new with the mock drafts this year. Instead of randomly linking to different ones, I'll use this post to house all of them.
Every so often, I'll look for new mock drafts and include them here. That way, you'll only have one page to check for the roundup. So bookmark this post, and if you see any good mocks that I'm missing, feel free to e-mail me.
Thursday, March 17
While it's rare for the Eagles to linebacker early, in his most recent mock draft, ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Eagles taking UCLA outside linebacker Akeem Ayers:
Ayers didn't have a great combine and a lot of people are down on him, but when you study the tape he's always around the ball, shows great versatility and has the ability to get after the quarterback. The Eagles have a history of drafting hybrid DE/OLB prospects and plugging them in at linebacker, and Ayers would offer an upgrade on the outside over Moise Fokou, who started 11 games as a second-year player in 2010.
Pat Kirwan of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod:
There has been a run on tackles with four already gone. With Howard Mudd coaching the line in Philly, he can get Sherrod ready. The Eagles could look long and hard at a corner at this spot. In my first mock I had them taking CB Jimmy Smith.
Steve Wyche of NFL.com has the Birds taking Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson:
The athletic Wilson can play outside or inside and the Eagles need someone who can play both. DT Corey Liuget wouldn't be a surprise here.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has the Eagles going with Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith:
The presence of cornerback Asante Samuel prompted quarterbacks to attack the opposite side of the defense last season, and the Eagles lacked the personnel to combat the tactic. Smith would give the defense a rangy cover man with the skills to excel in one-on-one match ups.
Doug Farrar of Yahoo Sports has the most surprising pick we've seen yet for the Eagles: Washington quarterback Jake Locker.
In his first draft as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Andy Reid signed off on the selection of a mobile, accuracy-impaired quarterback with great tools and future potential. From that rookie, who completed less than 50 percent of his passes, grew a franchise quarterback by the name of Donovan McNabb. Locker shares those early accuracy issues, but he's supremely mobile, totally coachable, and he can make every throw … most of the time. Michael Vick, current franchise quarterback or not, is on the downhill slide of the age curve for a quarterback who takes as many hits as he does, and Kevin Kolb could attract spectacular trade value in a quarterback-desperate league — even at a time where he might not be able to pick up a system right away. Reid is one of the league's best quarterback tutors, and we've seen what he and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg did to turn Vick into more of a pure thrower. This would be a surprise pick that could work out very well for all involved.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Eagles going with Miami cornerback Brandon Harris:
The Philly secondary was victimized at times last year and adding a prospect like Harris, who is comfortable in off man/zone concepts, would be an instant upgrade for the Birds. Plus, he demonstrates good ball skills, gets up to speed quickly and isn’t afraid to throw his body around.
Wednesday, March 9
In his latest mock draft, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper has the Eagles going with a familiar name: Wisconsin offensive lineman Gabe Carimi:
Philadelphia should be targeting the line on both sides of the ball. They could also consider secondary help, but might consider that a slight reach here. In Carimi they get a guy who loves to run block and will sustain those blocks. He battled a number of top defensive ends in Big Ten play and could fill in at either tackle position early, potentially starting on the right side with the goal to become a starting left tackle in what should be an explosive offense.
SI.com's Don Banks says Carimi is the man also:
The Eagles' top need should line up well with where the value is at this point of the first round, with Carimi and Florida guard-center Mike Pouncey offering two solid options for Philly's offensive line. Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith would fill another void, but he's got character red flags and Andy Reid doesn't need the headache.
Charles Davis of NFL.com has the Birds going with Texas cornerback Aaron Williams:
New defensive coordinator Juan Castillo will like this selection.
Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk has the Birds going with Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith:
Smith is a top-15 talent with shutdown-caliber ability, but character concerns will prevent him from going that early. He’s still a first-round prospect, and cornerback is the Eagles’ most glaring need after Dimitri Patterson and Ellis Hobbs flopped opposite Asante Samuel last year.
Saturday, March 5
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Eagles taking Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder:
The Eagles have needs across the offensive line and Solder not only gives them a big, athletic body, but he can play on either the right or left side and can get after it in the run game when need be.
Bunting has the Birds taking Solder ahead of Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod, two linemen some have the Birds eyeing in other projections.
FoxSports.com's Peter Schrager has the Eagles taking Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson:
I’ve been a loud Wilkerson supporter for several months now. My sleeper pick lived up to the hype in Indianapolis, working out well Monday. The two-time All-MAC selection starred at Temple, where he played two years as a three-technique in a 4-3, and then one tremendous junior year as a five-technique in the 3-4. A hard worker with unlimited potential, this year’s big surprise name could very well be the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Wilkerson. A local kid, he’s a run stuffer inside with pass-rushing capabilities. Andy Reid loves building from the inside out, and in Wilkerson, he can add depth to a defensive line that was ravaged by injuries last season. New defensive coordinator Juan Castillo will get a nice draft day treat in the Philly product.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith:
He has great size and good speed. Off-the-field issues are a concern. He sure is cocky.
Chad Reuter of NFLDraftScout.com gives the Eagles offensive lineman Mike Pouncey out of Florida:
Andy Reid likes to use his first-round picks to build up the offensive and defensive lines. If the team does not re-sign free agent right guard Max Jean-Gilles, Pouncey would step in or he could play center to quell ongoing injury issues inside.
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has the Eagles going with Carimi:
Depending on how the Eagles feel about their starting right tackle Winston Justice's chances at being healthy for next season the team could go in another direction with this pick. Carimi, the 2011 Outland Trophy winner as the nation's top lineman, would make a lot of sense for a team looking to get a bit more physical in the running game.
Pat Kirwan of NFL.com has the Eagles going with Smith:
He's a big corner with a physical attitude. He was awarded the "Gatorade" shirt 17 times at Colorado for knocking a wide receiver right off the field.
Saturday, Feb. 26
In his latest mock draft, SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles taking Wisconsin offensive lineman Gabe Carimi:
The Eagles need help at cornerback and outside linebacker, so Colorado's Jimmy Smith or Texas's Aaron Williams could be cover men who fit the bill, and Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston is a prospect who has bottom-third-of-the-round value. But Andy Reid loves to build his teams from the lines out, and that makes Carimi or Florida guard-center Mike Pouncey the more likely selection.
The mock draft at WalterFootball.com also has the Birds going with Carimi:
The Eagles' most glaring weakness is the offensive line. They surrendered 52 sacks this year, including six in that weird Tuesday night game against the Vikings.
Drawing some comparisons to Jon Runyan, Gabe Carimi is perfect for Andy Reid's blocking scheme. He can take over for Winston Justice, who was benched in the playoff loss to Green Bay.
Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com has the Birds taking Miami cornerback Brandon Harris:
The Miami Hurricane program has produced a number of standout corners in recent years and Brandon Harris will attempt to follow in the footsteps of predecessors such as Duane Starks, Phillip Buchanon, Antrel Rolle and Kelly Jennings. A terrific athlete with a prototypical blend of size and speed, Harris not only excels in coverage but he is also very physical and more than willing to throw his body around.
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Chris Burke of NFL Fanhouse has the Eagles taking Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith at No. 23:
The Eagles' need for a quality cornerback can't be overstated; the pass defense sprung a leak early that turned into a flood when Asante Samuel was injured. There's an argument as to which cornerback deserves No. 3 status behind Peterson and Amukamura, but Smith has the highest potential to shine at the Combine.
Chad Reuter of NFLDraftScout.com has the Eagles going with offensive lineman Mike Pouncey from Florida.
Andy Reid likes to use his first-round picks to build up the offensive and defensive lines. If the team does not re-sign free agent right guard Max Jean-Gilles, Pouncey would step in or he could play center to quell ongoing injury issues inside.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post also has the Birds taking Pouncey:
The Eagles are in need of improving the talent on the interior of their offensive line as Pouncey offers them some versatility as well as some intriguing bloodlines.
Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk has the Eagles taking Texas cornerback Aaron Williams:
Right cornerback was a major problem area for the Eagles’ last season as the Dimitri Patterson and Ellis Hobbs experiments failed. Neither is signed for 2011. A size corner (6’1/195) with added special teams value, Williams blocked five punts at UT to rank second in school history.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper has the Eagles taking Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi in the first round:
Here's a pick where value meets need. Philadelphia should look inside on both sides of the ball, because aside from secondary help, the Eagles have great pieces in place at offensive skill positions and linebacker. In Carimi they get a guy who loves to run block and will sustain his blocks into the second level. He plays with an edge and should develop as a pass-blocker. His film against some big-time prospects this past season shows a guy ready to contribute.
SATURDAY, FEB. 12
ESPN.com's Todd McShay is another one who has the Eagles taking Wisconsin offensive lineman Gabe Carimi:
Outside linebacker is a bigger need, but no available prospect fits the Eagles' scheme and is worth this pick. Carimi has versatility to play tackle or guard immediately and should develop into a very good starting tackle -- likely on the right side -- in the very near future.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Birds taking Carimi also:
Andy Reid always seems to draft big people. He can use another tough-guy offensive lineman. Carimi, the Outland Trophy winner, is a tackle, but he could also play guard.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com projects the Birds to take Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith:
The Eagles feature one of the league's best corners in Asante Samuel, but have struggled with consistency on the other side without journeyman Ellis Hobbs. Smith's frame and rare agility have earned comparisons from scouts to former Ravens' star Chris McAlister.
Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com has the Eagles going with Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod:
Andy Reid likes to use his first round picks to build up the offensive and defensive lines. Sherrod's mobility and pass protection ability are impressive.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Eagles taking Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod in the first round:
A smooth, graceful blocker with good range, change of direction skills and quickness in both the run and pass game. Needs to learn to play a little lower, but has the ability to mirror in space and possesses the makeup of a starting left tackle in the NFL.
Bunting has Sherrod (6-6, 305) listed as the second-best offensive tackle behind USC's Tyron Smith. But he has Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi going 19th to the Giants.
Pro Football Weekly, meanwhile, has the Birds taking Miami cornerback Brandon Harris:
A big, physical corner could fill void left by Ellis Hobbs' injury.
Thursday, Jan. 27
This one is courtesy of Don Banks at SI.com. Banks has the Eagles taking Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey with the 23rd pick:
University of Miami cornerback Brandon Harris would address a need, but the offensive line also requires some attention. This pick would make Pennsylvania a two-Pouncey state, with 2010 rookie Maurkice Pouncey going 18th overall to the Steelers last April. If the Eagles don't want to spend at this level for the interior of the offensive line, Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod is a prospect to keep in mind.
Saturday, Jan. 22
ESPN.com's Todd McShay also has the Birds taking Carimi:
The Eagles have been up-and-down with their offensive line picks in recent years, but while Carimi has some limitations athletically there is little doubt in my mind he's NFL-ready and will be a quality starter at right tackle for the next 10 years. He's the most technically sound and consistent lineman in this year's class.
Andrew Perloff of SI.com has the Eagles taking Texas cornerback Aaron Williams:
Opponents too easily picked on whoever wasn't being covered by Asante Samuel last season. The Eagles would be very happy if the Longhorns corner was still available.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Miami cornerback Brandon Harris:
The Eagles feature one of the league's best corners in Asante Samuel, but have struggled with consistency on the other side without journeyman Ellis Hobbs, who missed almost half of the season with a career-threatening neck injury. Harris struggled early on in the Sun Bowl loss to Notre Dame, but his speed and agility make him one of the draft's top corners and a good value here.
Thursday, Jan. 20
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock draft of the offseason, and he's got the Birds taking Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi:
The Eagles are loaded at the skill positions and did a nice job of hitting defense early in last year's draft, so they should address the offensive line at a place where the value meets the need. In Carimi they get a guy who loves to run-block and will sustain his blocks into the parking lot. He plays with an edge but needs continued development as a pass-blocker. His film against some big-time prospects this year shows a guy ready to contribute.
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Best guesses seem like Aaron Williams or Gabe Carimi, with Brandon Harris third. Jimmy Smith will wow people at the combine, but how productive was he on the field for Colorado?— armchairGM
These "experts" have it all wrong. The talent at CB will drop dramatically after the first level of guys. The Eagles need to draft Harris with the first pick and they can still get a good OG or OT in the second round.
Comment removed.- So you, like Mike Mayock, can only point to that one game. I am pretty sure a career is made up of more than one game and his career was filled with shut down defense. He also excelled at the combines and is the safe pick. His size is not aconcern.
- Comment removed.
- He ranked number one in passes defended as a sophomore in the ACC. He was the number one corner on a pass defense that ranked pretty high this pass season. So you point back to his freshman year??? Really? Let us start judging people off of their freshman year now. Hakim Nicks was a beast in college, so I wouldn't even take that as a negative. The comment about height is antiquated, let me throw out a few names: Frank Minnifield, Ronde Barber, Darrell Green, Dunta Robinson, Javier Arenas, Brandon Flowers, Devin McCourty, etc. No one listed is above 5' 10.
- Interesting OLine prospects. I like Pouncey.
Will we get a 1st rounder on draft day for Kolb??
What if that's an earlier pick than #23?— CouchKing - Pouncey is a BEAST! If Reid knows Lineman, he should have this one pegged #1 on his draft board. Whatever it takes, get him and your line is set!— younged
- Heywood
- The 1st summary of Carimi states:
In Carimi they get a guy who loves to run block and will sustain his blocks...
How will that be helpful to AR's "pass 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd, ok now a run - gained some yards, but must get the pass to do more" mentality?— Why? - For all of the stocking up on both lines of scrimmage, we sure get lousy production from each of those units.— tr88
- Comment removed.
- Im pretty sure were looking for some speedy DEs who play with a good motor for our 1st few picks— peteike
- Kiper proves he is a fool once again with statements like this,'Eagles have great pieces in place at offensive skill positions and linebacker'. Everyone in the world knows about the O skill positions, but what in the heck is he talking about the linebackers. They are a disaster with no help in sight! gobirds!
— gobirds17 - Since the Eagles need a tackle/guard and corner, the eagles will outsmart everybody and take an undersized defensive end -- because nobody would ever suspect it. Then they will trade their 2nd and 3rd round picks to the Cowboys and stockpile a bunch of 6th and 7th round picks, where they will look for players coming off of ACL injuries -- because these players would have gotten drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds if they hadn't gotten injured.— ej610
- Been sayin' Pouncey. Upgrade at guard off the mark, added depth at C. Versatility means a lot to AR.— tpizza
- this is so simple it's frightening. the Eagles will trade Kolb and the 23rd pick to AZ for the 5th pick. Then trade the 5th pick to NE for the 17th and 28th and pick and pick Akeem Ayers OLB from UCLA at 17 and Benji Ijalana OT from Villanova. Simple I say— pbuscio
- how many times has AR used a first round pick on an OL? Um, never. Aside from Lito, we don't like CBs in R1 either. The BIG question is whether there will be a rookie wage scale (i.e. ceiling) in place on draft day. If so, we trade up. Here's a (blind) vote for a trade out of R1 to pick up more 2s and 3s.— Gioff23
- They will draft whoever will take $20 per hour pay— shawnmac
- I don't know who is writing the headlines, but it should be "whom." Whom will the Eagles take? It is who for the subject of a sentence and whom for the object. Basic grammar, people.— phillyinsd
- Great... an english major — drenner
- Would someone please share with me the last time an "expert" guessed correctly on a draftpick later than 8th. What a joke.— justacarpenter
- with this front office and coaching staff,who cares where or who they draft.it will be the same old tale come jan 2012.at least this will be big reds swan song..time to but mcdonalds and burger king stocks...they will soar...— lewisbratspis
- What's the sense of this exercise? You know Reid will make a trade down pick that nobody saw coming.— drenner
- Carimi does not look like the pick watching his combine performance.— MidGreen
- why do we need a run blocker...we don't run— anothervoice
- the eagles will draft a D/E between 5'5" and 5'10" and probably somewhere in the area of 190 to 215lbs.— Geno D
- Gioff23: Shawn Andrews— tpizza
- I keep saying the most predictable thing about The Fat Man is his unpredictability especially in drafting... Priorities of considerations must start with the C.B.A and whether there is free agency or not this year in a timely enough frame to benefit us... Coaching... If Howard Mudd is satisfied with the group of lineman currently on the team isn't that the the substance of his reputation coming to the Eagles as one of the best O Line coaches... Ever... The job he did in INDY with so many underrated players. Could eliminate drafting a lineman with our top pick... With Free Agency and the Asomugha speculation we wouldn't waste a high draft pick on a CB with Nnamdi in the fold ... I like Jimmy Smith in an Eagle uniform... With coach Washburn on board the same analysis would apply and the potential wild card Albert Haynesworth wanting to get out of Washington and rejoin the coach he believes made him the player he is... Well that would eliminate a DLine player Washburns reputation was built on turning no names to All Pros. The Eagles have been bashed for years for not placing value on the LB position a player like Akeem Ayers could fall to the Eagles. No one...Well me hahaah...is talking LB as an Eagle first round pick seems it would reinforce the Andy Reid unpredictability aura and shut up so many nay sayers about the Eagles never placing value on LB in the draft forever. Go Eagles.— trinieagle
- Comment removed.
- Heywood
- Heywood
- Heywood
- So as the first round winds down and every prospect in whom the Eagles might be suspected of having interest is off the board - except Carimi is there - Andy Joe Lurie - in the never-ending quest to convince themselves they're smarter than everyone else will...
trade down— raoool - Andy will trade up to get whoever the Giants wanted, weather we really need him or not! I.E. see Brandon Graham.— pevans1
- Hetwood
If the Eagles draft an 0-lineman, it will be a tackle, like Solder. Then he can use him at tackle or guard.— ej610- I don't know who they should pick as I have a career outside of professional football so I'm ok leaving this decision to the people who work in football.— Gray Areas
- They better go defense with their first pick, preferably a corner.
A team with a fast strike offense needs a shut down defense or they will be "ball controlled" to death.
Their offensive tackles are adequate but they definitely need interior help. You can get guards in later rounds.
Defensive line is supposed to be a strength of this draft so I'd look there in the second round. The Eagles got no rush up the middle from their supposedly quicker tackles last year. Time for an upgrade.
As they were last year defensive needs are a priority.— Rick Wise Guy - As much as we'd like to upgrade the right side of the OL, improving the defense is much more critical. If the Birds don't get an upgrade at CB, they won't make the playoffs. The best and maybe only chance to draft a good immediate starting CB is in the 1st round. That's why I'm checking out reviews of Smith, Harris, Williams and others. We also need to fill needs at LB and DE in addition to OL, but CB is priority 1.— ml307n
- My confidence level is very low that the Eagles will make the right pick— shawnmac
- I'm confident Howie Roseman will make the right decision— dschloss
- Comment removed.
- Looks like Tyron Smith, Castonzo, Carimi, and Solder will all be gone by #23. (I would not take Solder if he is available. Wasn't that good in the Senior Bowl, and will have great trouble with guys like Dumervil and Freeney.) Then what? No one besides Amukamara and Peterson seem to be 1st round corners. Jimmy Smith has a great physique, but how well can be play corner? Should be good corners like Curtis Brown in rounds 2 and 3. Pouncey may be more of a #35 pick, but he also looks like a sure starter, a center/guard who could play all 5 positions in a pinch, even more versatile than Todd Herremans. If he's there, that could be the best choice.— armchairGM
- Don't matter...The Pigeons will take an Offensive or Defensive lineman that you've probably never heard of. Just so the Giants don't get him! And he'll be really offensive too...caught snorting Blow and chasin 13 year old girls....usual Andy Reid pick! Time's your's...— pevans1
I like Pouncey. I only saw him play in one game last year, but he looked great. They say he's not as good as his brother, but still, he'd be our best lineman by his second season. None of the OTs impress me much. Good athletes, but lacking power and aggression. By contrast, Pouncey flattens guys then laughs at them. He can play center or gaurd. I think he'll be gone by pick 23. The Eagles may wind up going defense in the 1st round, either a corner or a tackle, then O line in round 2. I'd love to see them take the Temple D tackle in the 1st: Muhammad Wilkerson. Then, if he's still around, the Villanova O tackle: Benjamin Ijalana, in round 2.- It's like some of these guys never saw the Eagles D play this year!— jimmyj
- The criticisms of Carimi's footwork scare me. I have visions King Dunlap tripping over his own feet. I say take Pouncey.— p-diddy
- Carimi or Pouncey are probably the best the Birds can do at #23. But I see Carimi going earlier, and maybe Pouncey too. It could be a good year to trade down and try to have three picks between #30 and #62. Might be able to get Ijalana and Danny Watkins and a 2nd round corner.— armchairGM
- Is Doug Farrar serious? Even if they traded Kolb for an extra 1st rounder and signed Asomugha before the draft they would still not spend a first rounder on Locker. Now if all of the above happened and Locker was sitting there in the 2nd round....maybe. It'd basically be an investment for a future 1st rounder in a trade.— sg
- GCOBB knows less than Bowen (no pun intended) about football. His website is a joke.— phillyceltic
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