Draft mockery: The Eagles will take ...

The NFL draft isn't until April 26. Free agents can't switch teams till Feb. 29. And the combines for testing college talent get underway today in Indianapolis.

So no way teams know yet which cleats they'll need to fill, let alone who'd best fill them.

But that hasn't stopped amateur GMs and draftniks from jumping the gun and staging mock drafts.

Many mocks got into gear even before the Giants slipped to No. 31 by virtue of making the Super Bowl.

NFLdraftdog.com even has a mock for next year's draft.

So it's pointless and absurd and foolish to pay any attention yet, right?

Well, it's also fun.

And, apologies to Allen Iverson, it's good practice, practice, practice.

Might as well start learning who's who - and who you might want to boo come draft day.

In Philadelphia, of course, the big question isn't who'll go No. 1, or where some athlete from within 100 miles will get picked.

No, the big question is:

Who might the Eagles draft with the 19th pick?

Assuming they don't trade up or down.

Here's a rundown of names that have surfaced so far. (Note that many seem a mite out of touch with Eagles tendencies. A wideout in the first round? Another linebacker? Wanna bet?)

Defensive end Vernon Gholston, Ohio State. 6-4, 264 pounds. Some mocks have this junior going as high as No. 2, but nfldraftblitz.com has him falling to the Birds.

Defensive end Calais Campbell, Miami. 6-8, 280 pounds. "Unpolished but supremely talented," with size and "athleticism," says Todd McShay of Scouts Inc., for ESPN.com.

Defensive end Derrick Harvey, Florida. 6-4, 260 pounds. With "all the top DBs off the board," Fox Sports sees this junior replacing "another former Gator, Jevon Kearse." Also picked by the Sports XChange at CBS's sportsline.com.

Defensive end Philip Merling, Clemson. 6-5, 280 pounds. Rated the 11th best player by ESPN's Mel Kiper. Projected as Eagles pick by insidetheeagles.com

Safety Kenny Phillips, Miami. 6-2, 210 pounds. "Phenomenal athlete," says nflreport.com. Many mocks have him gone by 19, ESPN's Kiper ranks him the 25th best player.

Offensive tackle Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh. 6-6, 340 pounds. Team's OTs are aging or dubious (Winston Justice). "Otah is a powerful run blocker, but needs to work on his technique a bit," says about.com's James Adler.

Offensive tackle Chris Williams, Vanderbilt. 6-6, 320 pounds. "Jon Runyan's future replacement," says prodraftguide.net. Also picked by Pete Prisco of CBS's sportsline.com.

Linebacker Keith Rivers, USC. 6-3. 220 pounds. "Too tempting to pass up," says draftking.com, which admits Eagles "don't have an overwhelming need at linebacker." Also projected to Birds by huddlegeeks.com.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, California. 5-11, 172 pounds. "Home run ability," says www.sportsnutz.com. Can return kicks, too. Also picked by footballsfuture.com and thefootballexpert.com.

Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma. 6-4, 217 pounds. The junior "has the size that NFL scouts prefer and is known for his quality route-running," says Don Banks of SI.com. Also picked by Matt Chase of fantasyfootballjungle.com.

Wide receiver Limas Sweed, Texas. 6-4, 217 pounds. "Big, fast, go-to receiver" who reinjured a wrist at the Senior Bowl, says nfldraftdog.com. Also picked by djnflmockdraft.com.

Wide receiver Mario Manningham, Michigan. 6-0, 178 pounds. Playmaker, TD-maker, passing game, says nfldraftcountdown.com.

Tight ends? Cornerbacks? These positions may be mentioned by local fans, but seem largely overlooked by mockers.

Kiper's Top 25 list includes tight end Fred Davis of USC at No. 21 (the only tight end listed) and cornerback Mike Jenkins of South Florida at No. 18. Two others are projected to go higher.