Mock roundup: Who will the Eagles take?
Here's a roundup of mock drafts around the country. Most think the Eagles will select a defensive back, defensive end or interior lineman. What do you think?
Mock roundup: Who will the Eagles take?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Before we get started, a few housekeeping notes:
Be sure to check out our special NFL draft section for all your draft needs. Lots of good stuff in there.
Also, I've updated the list of reported Eagles draft visits and workouts.
And finally, don't forget about our special draft event at McFadden's on Tuesday night. Stop by - if nothing else, it's a great chance to heckle me.
Now, it's mock draft time.
Here's a roundup of many of the more prominent ones out there, although if I included them all, I'd be writing for days.
If there's a specific site that you think does an exceptional job with these, let me know and I can add them here or in a future post.
Enjoy:
SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles going with Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson:
The trade of Sheldon Brown to Cleveland signals that the Eagles will be shopping for a cornerback either at No. 24, or No. 37 (the second-rounder they got from Washington in the Donovan McNabb trade). Jackson is climbing as the draft approaches and USC safety Taylor Mays is tumbling. The Eagles need help at both positions, but it seems more likely they go cornerback in the first round and look for a safety such as USF's Nate Allen early in the second.
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. also has the Eagles taking Jackson:
There are still some injury question marks around Ellis Hobbs, and with the addition of the 37th pick in the McNabb trade, the Eagles can strengthen their CB group and then add a safety value such as Nate Allen or Major Wright in Round 2 and really upgrade the secondary. Jackson is fluid and displays exceptional anticipation.
ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Eagles going with Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson:
OLB Sean Weatherspoon and S Taylor Mays are possibilities here but Wilson is our highest-rated remaining player and his skills as a press cover corner would fit well on an Eagles defense that recently traded away Sheldon Brown.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com has the Eagles taking USC safety Taylor Mays:
A year removed from Brian Dawkins’ departure, safety is still a major need in Philly. In Taylor Mays, the Eagles will get a three-time All-American and a playmaker that can contribute right away. Recently signed Marlin Jackson could end up being the opening day starter, but coming off of two major ACL surgeries in two years — is hardly a sure bet.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Eagles going with Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive end from South Florida:
Although Pierre-Paul is a little raw, he may have more upside than any other prospect in the draft and is a good value at this point.
Chris Steuber of Scout.com has the Eagles drafting Rutgers CB Devin McCourty:
The Eagles need help on defense, especially on the D-Line and in the secondary. There are a few players to consider, but the pick will come down to Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty. Either one would fit, but McCourty gives the Eagles the physical CB that can replace Sheldon Brown, and he fits their aggressive defensive structure best.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com gives the Eagles Maurkice Pouncey, a guard/center from Florida:
Jamaal Jackson's ACL injury creates a huge hole in the middle of the Eagles' line. Pouncey gives the team an immediate starter at center with the versatility to move to guard when Jackson returns to health.
CBSSports.com has mock drafts from four different writers. Two have the Eagles picking up Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson. One has them going with Mays. And the fourth says it'll be Idaho guard Mike Iupati.
Charles Davis of NFL.com has the Eagles picking up Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap:
The Eagles need a pass rusher opposite Trent Cole. They are counting on revving up this talented youngster's motor on a full-time basis.
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Wow, not much of a consensus which just goes to show you how many needs the Eagles have. This year, more than ever, even our lower round draft picks have a chance to make the roster. If we trade up, we most likely lose a few of the lower round picks. With so many needs, I'd like to see the Eagles stay where they are and keep all 11 picks but that's easier said than done. If a player Reid likes is still there a few picks in front of ours, he'll jump. As boring as the draft can be, it's pretty exciting to think of how different the roster will be next week.— vafan- ...and 3 quality back-ups just to finish the thought.— Z-Force
- Pouncey or Jackson with the first pick, Nate Allen with the first 2nd round pick. There's alot of talent in the first 3 rounds of this draft.— beegal99
taklinjoe...the reason you would do it is that you have flushed out all of your aggressive DBs and Mays is an intimidator. You didn't need Michael Lewis if you had Dawkins and Brown. None of our DBs scare anyone. If this guy can get his timing down and become the kind of guy that not only separates you from the ball, but separates you from your head, ala Wes Hopkins/Ronnie Lott then you clear out the middle and your corners are more effective. A combo of Wilson and Mays would give the line more time to get to the QB, and a deep DE draft could yield a winner in the third round.- Earl Thomas is the pick or Witherspoon. Both good leaders and they NEED a defensive leader!! They are both probably gone but either one comes in as a starter! Only way to get a GOOD lineman for this year is to get into the top 15! Unless someone drops! This is not the time to reach. To many holes to fill.— riza1976
- I'm kind of hoping that the Eagles confirm my suspicion that Kyle Wilson is a flat-out stud: A four-year stater for the Broncos, Wilson had 159 total tackles (125 solo), two sacks, one forced fumble, and 11 interceptions with two returned for touchdowns in 2009, and he returned three kicks for touchdowns in 2008. Wilson has been clocked in the 40-yard dash as low as 4.32, but he will most likely run somewhere in the 4.4's in the turf in Indy, but that will not hurt his draft stock, it will only increase it. When Wilson's name was called to test his strength on the bench-press, he amazed onlookers when he lifted the bar 25 times, and only Oklahoma State safety Lucien Antoine had more reps with 28 for all defensive backs who made an attempt.— Murrayman
- In your face Z-Force, yeah. -not bob levy— remyy
The draftniks are predicting that the safeties, Berry and Thomas will both go in the top 10! Safety is a trendy pick right now, it used to be that no self respecting GM would pick one that high. The other guy Mays had a weak senior year, I think he's a reach at pick 24. Second round, okay but not pick 24.
I suspect that Andy is hoping to trade No. 37 for another team's First Round next year. I think he will go O-line in first, trade the Redskins' pick, and then go for the defense. If they do not help to shore up the O-line this draft, God help Kevin Kolb - he'll need it.- They can't get a starting CB in Rd.2. There are 3 - Haden-Wilson-Jackson. Why move up so high for Haden? Wilson and Jackson are more athletic. They will nudge up to get Wilson. I PREDICT they grade Wilson #1 - clearly the most athletic, can press cover as well as the other 2, doesn't rely solely on bump-run technique. They value the opinions of ALL Sr Bowl D coaches - Wilson was CLEARLY the best CB. Many fans will be peeved when Rd.3 is over and the Eagles haven't drafted a LB - there is no quality SAM in this draft! Sean W'spoon is NOT the answer, he's merely the ONLY guy considered a POSSIBLE starter at SAM. Why draft a kid in Rd. 1 if he can't start right away, and may never play the position they need filled? IF they draft a LB Rd.1, it will be trade up for McClain-ILB-ALA. I can see them drafting Brandon Spikes-FLA in Rd.3-4 - he can play MIKE and maybe SAM. I don't see why everyone thinks Reid drafts o-line Rd.1. He did so TWICE - Tra Thomas and Sh. Andrews, and only ONCE (Andrews) for interior o-line. All other o-linemen were late round or undrafted FA. Rd.1-Kyle Wilson-CB; Rd.2-Nate Allen-S; Rd.2-Chad Jones-S. The wild card is Carlos Dunlap, whose DUI has him falling. So Rds. 3-4 will be Spikes/Dunlap, whichever is there. No projects or converts to new positions in Rds.1-2 (Mays-Thomas-PierrePaul-W'spoon). Rd.1's for STARTERS ONLY! WILSON/ALLEN/JONES! It's a prediction, and close to a wish list. 2002 Redux!— montgomeryhopkins
- I think Mays makes more since, Marlin Jackson,two major ACL surgeries in two years ???, we need insurance. We saw last yr how easy teams exposed that position since Dawk left..— phillyfanyo
- Nothing better to do then play make believe? LOL.— ralphfurley
- Murrayman - dead on! Wilson didn't run at Combine - he had a tweaked hammie. That's why the Eagles sent their DB coach to Boise (one of only 6 teams to do that)! He was clocked between 4.36 and 4.43, depending whose stopwatch you use. Averaging the times = 4.38! Eliminate the high and low outliers, 4.36! Median = 4.37. Then there's the agility drills - off the charts! He's the most athletic CB, and his technique is = to Haden's. That's why I think he's the #1 CB on Eagles board. Everyone else - Earl Thomas is projected as a CB in NFL - lack of strength/size for S. He's never played the position! So he's at best the 4th best CB. W'spoon had a TERRIBLE senior year. If there were good strong-side 4-3 backers, he'd be a 3rd rd selection. He's a reach. Mays can't cover, so he's no better than Mikell, only less experienced. WILSON/ALLEN/JONES!— montgomeryhopkins
- The Eagles could go so many different ways here, it is a complex calculus equation. I personally look at it this way. We have 11 picks, with not 11 empty roster spots, not to mention the undrafted free agents that will be brought in. I see the Eagles trading up for a lock in a player like Eric Berry or Earl Thomas. Jacksonville is looking to trade down from 10. There is good value at 10. We could get Earl Thomas at 10 and the pay wouldn't be out of this world. OR, a player that I personally love, Sergio Kindle would probably be available and steal him away from the Giants. I do think we should move up in this draft for a key blue chip prospect. We should wait to get a CB till round 2, with likes of Kareem Jackson or Chris Cook. I also want to see Hank Baskett sent packing and the Eagles bring in a big receiver to take his place like Dezmon Briscoe in the 4th or 5th rounds. Ben Tate at RB also. Mike Bell is a 1 year expensive bandaid. We also are going to get a project QB behind Kolb. I personally like Jevan Snead. This draft could go so many different directions, I just want it to be the 22nd already!— crohnkiller
- I still think Mays is the best choice.— blueye7
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