NFL mock draft, needs: Eagles
Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.
For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.
No. 1 Team Need: Wide receiver
Silva's Analysis
Some Eagles fans would undoubtedly argue that quarterback is the team's biggest need, even after the trade for Sam Bradford. And I wouldn't put it past Chip Kelly to flip Bradford in a move up for Marcus Mariota. But as it stands currently, wideout is a more glaring hole. Jordan Matthews flashed the ability to handle a lot of volume as a rookie, but is primarily a slot receiver. Riley Cooper is one of the least effective starting wideouts in the game. 2014 third-round pick Josh Huff is intriguing but unproven. Kelly values size and agility in his wide receiver corps. Kelly's wideouts also must be able to block.
No. 2 Team Need: Safety
Silva's Analysis
Malcolm Jenkins solidified one of the Eagles' safety positions last offseason, but bookend Nate Allen left in free agency. Earl Wolff, Ed Reynolds and Chris Maragos haven't proven to be starting-caliber commodities. Eagles DC Billy Davis utilizes his cornerbacks in press-man coverage, which places a premium on range in the deep middle.
No. 3 Team Need: Outside linebacker
Silva's Analysis
The Eagles will smartly promote Brandon Graham into a full-time role opposite Connor Barwin, but rush linebacker remains a needy position after last year's first-round whiff on Marcus Smith. Davis' defense would be in a lot of trouble if something happened to Graham or Barwin. Planning to jettison LG Evan Mathis and already having parted with RG Todd Herremans, the Eagles are also likely to target athletic interior offensive linemen in the draft. As Davis doesn't seem convinced slot specialist Brandon Boykin can hang outside, perimeter corner is one more question mark at the position opposite new RCB Byron Maxwell. The current in-house options include Nolan Carroll and injury-riddled Walter Thurmond III.
Norris’ Mock Draft
Round 1 (20): OL Jake Fisher, Oregon - I know OL was not among Evan’s listed three needs, but it was mentioned. Moving beyond the Oregon connection, Fisher fits the Eagles’ profile for offensive linemen - athletic. Fisher has experience at guard and both tackle spots. Visit reports are still coming in, but as Jimmy Kempski previously noted, 6 of the 7 Eagles picks last year visited Philadelphia prior to the draft. And the 7th, Josh Huff, played under Chip Kelly at Oregon. Something to watch.
Round 2 (52): WR Devin Funchess, Michigan - Chip has frequently discussed size over the middle of the field. Funchess obviously offers that, along with winning on the sideline and possesses more after catch ability in short areas than expected for his size. Now, was he consistent in these areas? I can’t say he was, but Funchess does have the level of ability to win at a high rate. It was recently reported that the receiver dealt with a broken toe and torn ligaments since the second game of last season.
Round 3 (84): S Adrian Amos, Penn State - Amos checks a lot of the boxes: a superb athlete with Senior Bowl experience who has played both corner and safety. I bet a number of teams rank Amos as a top five safety in this class with traits to win in a variety of alignments.
Round 4 (113): EDGE Shaq Riddick, West Virginia - Riddick played one season of FBS football, and he could not have picked a worse scheme to play in. The Gardner Webb transfer is a ridiculous athlete for his size, but was frequently lined up next to the guard in a tight or covered alignment. I can’t wait to see Riddick attack offensive linemen from a wider gap.
Round 5 (145): CB Garry Peters, Clemson - More length. Peters did not see a large amount of targets to his side of the field. In fact, Peters likes to bring up his low total of receptions allowed. However, the lack of illegal contact flags in college football played into his advantage.
Round 5 (156): LB Tony Washington, Oregon - Washington is a difficult one to beg. He played in space a lot and spread offenses placed him in perhaps unfavorable positions. I could see teams viewing Washington as a closer to the line of scrimmage backer who is used to drop opposite a designated rusher.
Round 6 (196): WR Deon Long, Maryland - I prefer Long over his teammate Stefon Diggs from a pure receiving standpoint. Long is extremely quick in his breaks to create separation and has worked outside and inside.
Round 7 (237): EDGE Obum Gwacham, Oregon State - A former receiver turned pass rusher, Gwacham is all athleticism. I would even say his athletic testing was a disappointment at the Combine. He is a project teams will likely stash on the practice squad, but guaranteeing him on your roster with a seventh-round selection could be the move.
Eagles Current First-Team Offense
QB: Sam Bradford
RB: DeMarco Murray
WR: Jordan Matthews
WR: Riley Cooper
TE: Brent Celek
TE: Zach Ertz
LT: Jason Peters
LG: Evan Mathis
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Allen Barbre
RT: Lane Johnson
Eagles Current First-Team Defense
LE: Cedric Thornton
RE: Fletcher Cox
NT: Bennie Logan
OLB: Connor Barwin
OLB: Brandon Graham
ILB: Mychal Kendricks
ILB: Kiko Alonso
CB: Byron Maxwell
CB: Brandon Boykin
FS: Earl Wolff
SS: Malcolm Jenkins
