One Final Mock Draft
The first round of the NFL draft is this Thursday, and the Eagles draft plan is starting to take shape. They traded Byron Maxwell, Kiko Alonso, and the 13th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 8th overall pick, and then traded that along with a 3rd, and 4th round pick this year, our 2017 1st round pick, and 2018 2nd round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the 2nd overall pick this year, and a 4th round pick next year. Obviously the Eagles are targeting a QB in the first round. The Eagles also have holes and needs mainly at the offensive line, linebacker depth, defensive line depth, and to a lesser extent, cornerback and wide receiver. That being said, let’s take a look at how the Eagles should draft to build the best team around their young QB.
Round One: Carson Wentz (QB) – The Eagles will take whatever QB the Rams don’t, and considering the Rams are probably targeting the most pro-ready QB (Jared Goff) it makes sense that the Eagles will take Carson Wentz. A talented player with all the necessary traits to be a successful NFL QB, Wentz needs to better develop several aspects of his game to really unlock his potential. But there isn’t a better situation for him than Philly, as the trio of Doug Pederson, Sam Bradford, and Chase Daniel will make sure Wentz reaches his full potential.
Round Three: Deion Jones (LB) – The Eagles may be looking for a true playmaker here, but Jones is a smart, safe pick. His one year of starting experience may worry some teams, but that won’t be an issue playing behind Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks, and Nigel Bradham. He’s smart, fast, and has good size, and will be able to compete for playing time right away. He projects more as an outside linebacker in the Eagles projected 4-3 scheme, but he’ll provide talent in an area that is somewhat of a question mark for the Eagles.
Round Five: Roger Lewis (WR) – The impact player some Eagles fans will be looking for, Lewis can come in and play right away with the Eagles young receivers. He offers the Eagles another chance to stretch the field, as half of his 16 TD’s were on catches of 45 yards or more. Good size and strong hands means he can go up and get the ball, but he may have some problems transitioning to the NFL, where corners will be able to keep up with him. Off the field issues are a concern with Lewis, but I still think he’s a good pick here.
Round Five: Joe Haeg (OT) – The Eagles are already taking one NDSU player, so why not make that two? Haeg is a good prospect, he’s got good size, and the ability to handle both speed and bull rushers. His main issue is a lack of core strength, but that can be fixed because he’ll be able to add bulk to his frame. He’ll work well with potential first round pick Carson Wentz, and can sit and develop/add bulk for a year or two, before being able to take over at right tackle when Lane Johnson moves to the left side.
Round Six: Daryl Worley (CB) – A Philadelphia native with great size, Worley posses all the physical traits teams love. He’s big, fast, and has great hands. He doesn’t often lose 50/50 battles, and has great timing and a good football IQ. However, his hips are too tight, and his footwork leaves something to be desired. He’ll struggle heavily in man coverage if he’s forced into action to early. Still, he’s got the requirements to make a roster, and with some development, could turn into a successful pro corner.
Round 7: Chris Swain (FB) – With the Eagles making the move back to using fullbacks, they’ll need to add camp competition. Swain is a great option in short yard situations, and has proven he can be productive (over 1,110 yards and 8 TD’s in two seasons as a part time starter). However, to really transition and be successful in the NFL, he’ll need to become both a better blocker and special team’s player.
Round 7: Antwaun Woods (DT) – Woods projects as a 7th round pick for a reason. He works hard, and has great size, but he has an injury history and isn’t very consistent. He doesn’t collapse the pocket or stop the run the way NFL teams look for in a traditional nose tackle. He may transition better as a defensive end where he can use his speed better, but will probably end up just being camp competition or a practice squad member.
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Eagles