Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft: Finding Starters in Every Round
The Philadelphia Eagles need early starters with at least a few of their picks in the 2017 NFL draft, but what if they got one from every single selection?
It's not an easy ask from any front office to turn every draft pick it has into a rookie starter, and it's usually never a position a team finds itself in. The Eagles certainly aren't at that point as the late-April draft looms, but it's obvious that they could use two or three draft selections who prove worthy of being atop the depth chart come Week 1.
A few positions on the Eagles' depth chart are noticeably thin after the opening month of free agency. While general manager Howie Roseman and company did well to shore up some weaknesses with their limited cap space, there remain some gaping holes on the roster.
The Eagles won't get a starter in every round of the draft seemingly because there aren't eight spots on the depth chart available, but they need a few. With that in mind, let's plug up those holes early on and find some late-round value picks who could blossom into a starter's role later in the 2017 season.
Round 1, Pick 14: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
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In a perfect world, the love affair with NFL draft scouts and the top pass-rushers, safeties and running backs in this class will cause one of the top cornerbacks to fall into the Eagles' lap at No. 14 overall.
One of the two top guys who could be there is former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey, a prototypical cornerback prospect who perfectly fits the mold of the early-round, long-term staple at corner that the Eagles are undoubtedly looking for in Round 1.
The Eagles' cornerback unit was a mess in 2016 with veterans proving unable to plug the leaks on the perimeter of the secondary. The front office made clear that it's looking to go young when it released Leodis McKelvin, let Nolan Carroll walk and failed to sign anyone in free agency.
Whether it comes Thursday or Friday, the Eagles certainly need to plug one of their vacant depth-chart slots at cornerback early on, and they could really use a break in the right prospect falling to them at No. 14 overall. Humphrey would be an NFL-sized, speedy and physical defensive back who's all-around game will fit the Eagles' scheme and needs simultaneously.
Round 2, Pick 43: CB Jalen (Teez) Tabor, Florida
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It doesn't matter if the cornerback class is deep this year. The Eagles' need at the position is so great that they need to capitalize if Week 1 starters are there with the first and second picks, and they certainly are this year.
Florida's Jalen Tabor has effectively fallen from the conversation of first-round cornerback prospects after posting slow 40-yard dash times in the predraft process, but his level of consistent play with the Florida Gators speaks for itself. He's one of the most polished prospects in the group, and the extra spotlight in 2016 as a top SEC defensive playmaker did nothing to cause scouts to doubt his ability as a big-time NFL player.
The Eagles certainly need speed on the edges, and they get that in Round 1 with Humphrey. Tabor didn't time well, but if he were truly a "slow" cornerback, it undoubtedly would have showed when he faced the SEC's best wideouts over the last few seasons. It didn't.
Tabor's feisty, competitive spirit would blend well with the Eagles' attitude-driven defense and give them a second plug-and-play Week 1 starter.
Round 3, Pick 74: DE Jordan Willis, Kansas State
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The Eagles' pass rush became one of the more significant letdowns of the Eagles' 2016 season, and the unit desperately needs an infusion of young talent to plug opposite of Brandon Graham.
Kansas State's Jordan Willis would be a fantastic option to bring immediate speed and game-breaking potential to the pass rush, which are both things that the Eagles lack on the edge. Willis is one of the fastest defensive end prospects in the class after running a 4.53-second 40 in Indianapolis, and his 255-pound frame allows him to be both physical and elusive when either is needed.
The Eagles signed Chris Long to shore up the position, and Vinny Curry is still around after a disappointing 2016 season, but the unit undoubtedly needs more speed than either of those players possess. Willis would be a good answer and could easily jump Long and Curry for starter's reps if he proves to be a good partner to Graham.
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Round 4, Pick 119: LB Duke Riley, LSU
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Just because the Eagles have yet to find a trade partner for Mychal Kendricks doesn't mean that he should be assumed as the weak-side linebacker for 2017. Philadelphia made it obvious limiting his snaps in 2016 that he's not a part of the 2017 plans, and a better fit at WLB should be highly coveted in the draft.
It's not easy to find a Week 1 starter in the mid-rounds, but LSU's Duke Riley should offer that for Schwartz and the defense if he's selected. Not only is there an inherent need at the position, but Riley appears to be a fine-tuned prospect who can cover, fill gaps and read offenses at the level that the Eagles defense needs.
Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks have proven to be reliable starters at the other two linebacker spots, but they need a third partner to complete the unit. Inserting Riley into the fold would take pressure off Hicks and Bradham that they've certainly been feeling while trying to fill the void at weak-side linebacker.
Round 4, Pick 139: G Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
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There are very few elite guard prospects in the draft, but that doesn't mean the Eagles can't find an impact player at the position. All it really means is that front offices could devalue the position and allow a sleeper to be available in the middle rounds.
Taylor Moton turned in a fantastic collegiate career with Western Michigan, playing a big role in the line's sturdiness throughout their ascension that culminated in a 2016 undefeated regular season. Moton lined up solely at right guard in his final few seasons but is a versatile lineman who could develop on the interior or exterior.
The Eagles' starting lineup appears to be set up front for now, but there's a lack of depth at guard. If either of guards Allen Barbre or Brandon Brooks got traded or injured, Moton's refined skills and potential could overshadow recently acquired Chance Warmack and allow him a shot at starting early on.
Round 5, Pick 155: RB James Conner, Pittsburgh
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James Conner is a name that Pennsylvania sports fans and college football fans know plenty about. A records-shattering career at Pitt made Conner a household name, and his inspiring victory over cancer should tell fans all they need to know about his heart and toughness.
Conner shows his toughness on the field as a physical runner who doesn't lack for speed despite a bruising 6'1", 233-pound frame. He ran a 4.65-second 40 at the combine, which is a solid number given his strength is undoubtedly when he lowers his shoulder through contact.
Many Eagles fans are clamoring for an early-round selection at running back to capitalize on a class with some elite backs, but it's important to note just how deep the draft class is. Plenty of backs who would be easy Day 2 selections in other drafts will be there for the picking on Day 3, and Conner is one of them.
The Eagles still have Ryan Mathews on the roster, but a Mathews salary dumping feels inevitable, and that would leave them with Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles as the only backs. To say a physical between-the-tackles back is needed would be an understatement. Conner would not only fill that void but could show potential as an every-down back if he fine-tunes his receiving ability.
Round 6, Pick 194: WR Josh Malone, Tennessee
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Philly obviously shored up the receiver position in a big way with the Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith signings, but there are few if any other proven wideouts on the roster. The right value late-round pick has plenty of opportunity for early playing time, and that's all Josh Malone will need.
Malone arrived at Tennessee as a highly touted recruit who didn't get much help around him to stand out until his final season as a junior in 2016. Even then, the Vols' passing attack lacked consistency, and Malone still finished with 50 receptions for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a 6'3", 208-pound wideout, Malone ran a 4.40-second 40 at the combine, third among wideouts. The two receivers who ran faster times are each four inches shorter than Malone. With the Eagles, Malone would provide a second deep-threat option next to Smith along with the speed to run the types of slot routes usually given to Jordan Matthews.
Malone didn't get enough chances to put his skills on tape. That stripped him of the chance to go higher in the draft, but it could be to the Eagles' benefit if they nab him in Round 6.
Round 7, Pick 230: CB Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
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The Eagles will be well set up at cornerback if they draft two early, but there are still snaps up for grabs at the slot, and that's where a clever seventh-round pick could thrive.
Wisconsin's Sojourn Shelton looks like a perfect fit. The undersized corner at 5'9" and 178 pounds is being overlooked in the draft process since he's tied down to a utility position, but you can't overlook the fact that he should excel if he's plugged in properly on a defense.
Shelton handled star Western Michigan receiver and top draft prospect Corey Davis in the Badgers' bowl game, and he'll rarely ever have to line up against opponents of that caliber when he plays a slot role. If the Eagles asked him to line up inside of recently mocked picks Humphrey and Tabor in the slot, Shelton should feel right at home against receivers who he matches up better against.
Jalen Mills impressed as a rookie last year for Philadelphia, and he should expect to get the snaps at slot off the bat, but he's still somewhat unproven, and giving him competition would be a benefit. Shelton could offer much more than that and will have a chance to start by mid-season.
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