Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions
Finally, after months of speculation, the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans will get some answers Thursday during the first round of the most anticipated NFL draft in franchise history.
With rumors swirling every day and talk shows dominated by constant Marcus Mariota talk, the moment of truth will come early in the draft when the rest of the world finds out whether Chip Kelly is willing to mortgage the farm for his former Heisman quarterback.
I've been leaning toward a yes regarding Mariota ever since the Eagles shocked the world by trading Nick Foles for Sam Bradford. I still feel that way. We'll find out Thursday how accurate my prediction is, but as for this mock draft, it's going to include one major trade in the first round.
There are a few surprises, though. There's a second major trade involving a star player who is currently on the Eagles defense, and it's a move that is completely independent of the team landing Mariota. As for the rest of the draft, everything is relatively normal, with the Eagles making, in all, one pick in each of the seven rounds, plus a second selection in the fifth round.
Round 1
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Pick No. 2: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Yes, I do believe it will happen. It wouldn't surprise me one bit either way, but I keep going back to the Titans when they're on the clock for the No. 2 pick. And for the record, I think Tampa Bay selects Jameis Winston first overall, although at this point nothing would really surprise me.
The Titans basically have three clear-cut options with their selection. First, they can draft Mariota, but I don't think they will. Everything about Ken Whisenhunt's history with quarterbacks shows that he's a fan of traditional pocket passers.
Second, the Titans could select USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams, the consensus top non-quarterback prospect in the draft. Third, they could land a massive draft-day haul from the Eagles that could include multiple draft picks and players, including a veteran former No. 1 overall draft pick who is still in the prime of his career.
In the end, the Eagles offer the most to the Titans, who have been shopping their own pick. The guess here is that the Eagles part ways with their 2015 first- and second-round picks, their 2016 first- and third-round picks, Sam Bradford, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Boykin. That's a hefty haul, even for a potential franchise quarterback, but Kelly has shown that he's not afraid to make a bold move and doesn't care what others think.
Round 2
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Pick No. 62: Shaq Thompson, LB/S, Washington
Wait, didn't the Eagles trade their second-round pick away in the Marcus Mariota trade? Yes, they did, but this is a different pick.
In this scenario, Kelly sends inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks to the Green Bay Packers for their second-round pick, the 62nd overall selection. Kendricks, who will enter free agency following the 2015 season, has been talked about in trade talks ever since veteran DeMeco Ryans signed an extension on March 30. Although Ryans turns 31 in 2015 and is recovering from his second torn Achilles, Kelly clearly prefers him to Kendricks, who is 24 and one of the best young linebackers in the National Football League.
Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports shared the rumors on Twitter: "Eagles are shopping LB Mychal Kendricks. Seeking a 2nd round pick in return. Teams are balking at that price but something could happen."
Green Bay, which could use an inside linebacker so it can move Clay Matthews III back to the outside where he's most disruptive, makes sense as a draft-day trade partner.
With their second pick of the draft, the Eagles grab perhaps the single most versatile player of the entire draft in Shaq Thompson. Like most coaches, Kelly appreciates versatility, but he's almost obsessed by incredible athletes. That's what Thompson is, as the former Washington star lined up at linebacker, safety and even running back during his college career. He scored a ridiculous four defensive touchdowns during his senior season.
Thompson is the type of player the Eagles could select and play at linebacker, like Nolan Carroll did in 2014, in their nickel package. He could fill in at safety or possibly even compete for a starting job, especially if Ryans isn't fully healed from his Achilles injury. The defensive packages and formations Billy Davis could use with an incredible athlete like Thompson are enticing.
Round 3
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Pick No. 84: Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
For the seventh straight season, ever since the team foolishly allowed veteran Brian Dawkins to leave in free agency, the Eagles are looking for a safety. They've tried and failed in recent drafts, which has included picks like Jaiquawn Jarrett, Earl Wolff and Ed Reynolds.
Veteran Malcolm Jenkins is a solid starting safety, as he possesses the coverage skills the Eagles value in their defensive backs, but there's currently no one slated to start next to Jenkins. At the moment, the Eagles have Wolff, Reynolds and Jerome Couplin to compete for the starting job in 2015.
Amos, who ran a blazing 4.38 in the 40-yard dash during the combine, also possesses exceptional coverage skills. He's not a good tackler at all, but the Eagles under Chip Kelly have never put a lot of emphasis on how well their players tackle. It's important, of course, but it's not even close as important as stopping the pass, and that's Amos' strongest area.
Even as a rookie, it's not hard to see Amos competing for a starting job.
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Round 4
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Pick No. 113: Chris Conley, WR, Georgia
The Eagles have allowed Pro Bowl wide receivers to leave the team in consecutive offseasons, an unheard-of move in today's NFL. After releasing DeSean Jackson following the 2013 season, Kelly chose not to overpay for Jeremy Maclin last month, and the former first-round pick was reunited with the head coach who drafted him.
Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, Miles Austin and Seyi Ajirotutu are currently the receivers on the roster, but only Matthews has shown to be a viable weapon in Kelly's offense. Cooper regressed badly in 2014 on the first year of a five-year contract extension, while Huff's rookie season was disappointing. Austin, a 30-year-old veteran who has been a non-factor over the last few seasons, is a fourth receiver at best, while Ajirotutu is a great signing for special teams purposes only.
Conley, who stands 6'3 and weighs 210 pounds, didn't have a productive college career if you look at the numbers. During his four seasons, he recorded just 117 catches for 1,938 yards and 20 touchdowns, but like most college players, it's about projection at the next level.
Kelly, who hosted Conley for a visit, is in love with Conley's incredible athletic ability. The Georgia receiver tested in the 99th percentile, according to his SPARQ charts, and it's fun to envision him in a few years as the No. 2 or 3 option in Kelly's fast-paced, high-scoring offense.
Round 5
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Pick No. 145: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
What? Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in the fifth round? Yes, I'm serious. Although he was considered one of the top cornerbacks in the nation entering his senior season, he suffered a serious knee injury during the 2014 year that still hasn't completely healed. That's going to be concerning to NFL teams.
In the fifth round, Ekpre-Olomu is a nice value pick, even if he never makes it back onto the field with his knee injury. He's talented enough to become a legitimate NFL starter in the future, although considering his small stature (5'9", 192 lbs), he's likely to get Brandon Boykin'd and moved to the slot. Even if the Eagles do trade Boykin during the draft, and the guess here is that they do, they have veteran Walter Thurmond to man the slot for the 2015 season.
The Eagles could potentially draft Ekpre-Olomu and allow him to spend the entire season on the injured reserve list resting his knee. Kelly isn't afraid of bringing players with injury concerns onto his squad, and the fact that Ekpre-Olomu attended Oregon will obviously help his chances of getting drafted in Philadelphia.
Round 5
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Pick No. 156: Sean Hickey, OT/G, Syracuse
The offensive line for the Eagles is easily the strength of the team, as four of the five starters are among the best in the game at their positions: left tackle Jason Peters, left guard Evan Mathis, center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson.
Injuries to Mathis and Kelce, as well as the four-game suspension to Johnson, are directly related to Nick Foles' early-season struggles in 2014.
With Todd Herremans gone, the Eagles have an opening at right guard, as the longest-tenured member of the team was released following the worst season of his career.
Syracuse's Sean Hickey makes a lot of sense as a late-round draft pick. The versatile offensive lineman played both left and right tackle throughout his college career, but he projects best to guard in the NFL. Basically, he can provide solid depth to four positions, other than center, on the offensive line.
Don't be surprised, in fact, if Hickey earns a starting spot at right guard during training camp. His likely competition in 2015 would consist of Allen Barbre, Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner, and none of those three was particularly impressive during his time in 2014.
Round 6
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Pick No. 196: Tony Washington, OLB, Oregon
Who would have thought that the linebacker position would be the one with the most changing during the draft weekend? After trading inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks and replacing him in the draft with the versatile Shaq Thompson, the Eagles grab their third Oregon player in edge-rusher Tony Washington.
Washington, who took over for former top-five draft pick Dion Jordan, collected 25.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks during his four seasons at Oregon. He's a decent pass-rusher, although it's hard to see him becoming much more of a backup at the NFL level.
As a rookie, Washington will have to compete for playing time, and possibly even a roster spot, with Brandon Graham, Connor Barwin, Marcus Smith, Travis Long and Bryan Braman. He's also an option to enter his first year in the NFL on the practice squad.
Round 7
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Pick No. 237: R.J. Harris, WR, New Hampshire
Even after drafting Chris Conley in the fourth round, it's not out of the question to see Kelly add another playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. I actually considered a running back or a tight end in this spot, but New Hampshire's R.J. Harris is a player who intrigues Kelly enough to warrant a seventh-round selection.
After all, Kelly, who used to coach at New Hampshire before moving to Oregon, expressed a ton of interest in Harris throughout the receiver's college career.
Harris, who is used to being the No. 1 wide receiver for an offense, caught 100 passes for more than 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2014 season. He lined up all over the field, as the X, Y and Z receiver. He even carried the ball out of the backfield on occasion. Harris is a tough, intelligent player who makes sense as a low-risk, medium-reward option for an Eagles squad that runs a similar type of offense to the one Harris played in during college.
With the depth at receiver after Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, Chris Conley, Miles Austin and Seyi Ajirotutu, Harris is another late-round pick who might be best-suited beginning his career on the practice squad.
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