With the NFL Draft a little less than three weeks away, all eyes are quickly turning to Philadelphia. What avenue will the Eagles explore with the eighth overall pick? I’ve done a pair of NFL Mock Drafts in the past, but this one will have a twist. Unlike my earlier mock drafts, this one will be solely focused on the Eagles. In addition to my selections, I will take an in-depth look at why those picks make sense. Without further ado, let’s get started…
Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America
1st Round; 5th Overall [via trade with Jaguars]- Ronnie Stanley (OT/Notre Dame)
Ryan’s Take: The Eagles have many possible directions with this pick. They could choose to address the “supposedly” glaring need at quarterback, by taking Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. Howie Roseman and Co. could also opt to strengthen the secondary by taking Vernon Hargreaves, or landing a superstar running back in Ezekiel Elliot. This time though, I’m opting to give the Eagles one of the offensive building blocks for the next 15 years in Ronnie Stanley. Recent mock drafts have selected that the Baltimore Ravens could snag Stanley with the sixth overall pick, so I tend to believe the Birds will leapfrog the Ravens to get the man they want.
Cris Collinsworth recently put out a mock draft, saying “Stanley will be a 15-year cornerstone at tackle on an offensive line that needs help.” Selecting Stanley will not only set the Eagles up for the future, but it will also provide them with immediate depth. Outside of Andrew Gardner, they have almost no depth behind Jason Peters and Lane Johnson.
Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America
3rd Round; 77th Overall- Zack Sanchez (CB/Oklahoma)
Ryan’s Take: Last season, the secondary was horrendous. The ramifications of their overall performance, was seeing Byron Maxwell traded to Miami. The Birds re-signed Nolan Carroll, and strengthened the back-end by adding Rodney McLeod. With Eric Rowe, Nolan Carroll, and Leodis McKelvin slated to be starters, there’s no pressure on the team to use their top-10 selection on improving this position. Instead, they can wait until the mid-rounds to find a player that can develop into a solid starter opposite of Rowe.
Source: Jon Durr/Getty Images North America
3rd Round: 79th Overall- Jaylon Smith (LB/Notre Dame)
Ryan’s Take: This is an absolute steal. Jaylon Smith is a first-round talent with top-10 potential, although a devastating (and mysterious..) knee injury has sent him tumbling down draft boards. Some mock drafts have him falling as far as the fifth round, but I doubt the Eagles hesitate to take him here. Smith is a defensive game-changer at the linebacker position, that could add a different dimension to the Eagles defense. Not to mention the depth he would add both on the inside and outside.
Source: Mike Carlson/Getty Images North America
4th Round: 100th Overall- Javon Hargrave (DT/South Carolina State)
Ryan’s Take: The defensive line has been very good as of late, but the transition to a 4-3 leaves them with a lack of depth. Following the loss of Cedric Thornton, the Birds have a need on the line. Taylor Hart is currently slated as one of the backup defensive tackles, but that’s just not going to do. At 6’6″, 287 lbs, Hart is a bit undersized for the DT position. Hargrave is a 6’2″, 292 lb beast of a man who would make for an excellent backup to Fletcher Cox, with the potential to overtake Bennie Logan. This selection would add depth to both the DT and DE positions, by allowing Taylor Hart to move back to his natural position at defensive end.
Source: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America
5th Round; 153rd Overall- Keith Marshall (RB/Georgia)
Ryan’s Take: The Eagles could take Ezekiel Elliott with the eighth overall pick, although recent reports link him to drug use. I feel that could scare the Eagles off, and rightfully so (look at Johnny Manziel). Instead, they opt to take Keith Marshall. Marshall left jaws hanging at the Combine, as he wowed scouts running a 4.31 40-yard dash. Marshall missed significant time at Georgia following an ACL tear he suffered in 2013, although he hopes that his combine performance will be the start of his comeback. Despite being stuck behind Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb at Georgia, Marshall’s explosiveness will allow him to produce from day one.
Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America
5th Round; 164th Overall- Willie Beavers (OT/Western Michigan)
Ryan’s Take: Adding even more depth to the offensive line, the Eagles go with Willie Beavers here. His talent level is still raw, but he’s very athletic. Great movement skills and quick feet only further enhance the belief that Beavers can develop into a top-end tackle. The only knock is his lack of strength. If he can add more strength to his lower body, Beavers has all the makings of an elite tackle.
Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America
6th Round; 188th Overall- Kevin Hogan (QB/Stanford)
Ryan’s Take: The popular opinion is for the Eagles to grab either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff with the eighth overall pick. I believe that they can comfortably wait until the late-rounds to select a quarterback to develop over time. More specifically, I believe they can wait to take Kevin Hogan with this pick. Hogan has the good football I.Q. to quickly settle in as a quality backup, but most believe that he lacks the elite arm strength needed to be a starter. I believe that the arm strength can be improved on, but it will take time. With Bradford under contract for the next two years, the Eagles can afford to wait and watch Hogan’s development.
Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America
7th Round; 233rd Overall- Kenyan Drake (RB/Alabama)
Ryan’s Take: Drake reminds me a lot of Darren Sproles. Very explosive out of the backfield, while possessing the ability to be a great asset in the pass game. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season at Alabama, and showed off his quick speed by running a 4.45 40-yard dash at the Combine. In today’s NFL, you can never have enough weapons. With this pick, the Eagles have a new secret weapon to turn loose.
Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
7th Round; 251st Overall- DeMarcus Robinson (WR/Florida)
Ryan’s Take: Robinson is an extraordinary talent that shows a true love for the game, but he’s been called a “train wreck” off of the field that is in need of guidance. Robinson was suspended four times in three seasons with the Gators, and failed multiple drug tests. Things are so bad that teams have totally erased him from their draft boards. Much like Josh Gordon, Robinson needs to be set straight. In the right environment, this kid will thrive.
That’ll wrap things up for my Eagles-only seven-round mock draft. Feel free to comment below with your thoughts. If you wish to reach me on social media, you can follow me on Twitter @RyanW_BBE.
Tags: Eagles, NFL Combine, NFL Draft
You must be logged in to post a comment.