2012 NFL Draft: Pre-Combine 5-Round Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft

We have a long way to go until the 2012 NFL Draft, but it’s already one of the most discussed football topics. The NFL combine begins this week, the draft prospects are training at a more intense level and the teams are planning their moves, both in the draft and in free agency.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a good overall team, but need to upgrade at certain positions. Immediate results are demanded in Philly, so the Eagles need to add players that can raise the team’s standards from day one.

While this might not be difficult in free agency, it certainly requires exceptional scouting skills and sharp decision making to pick the right players in the NFL Draft. Especially for a team like the Eagles, which didn’t have the best selection of players in the last couple of years.

This mock draft highlights the prospects the Eagles have to pick.

1) First Round: Dont’a Hightower (LB)

Dont’a Hightower (6’4”, 260 lbs) is the safest bet at middle linebacker. He is more of a natural talent than Luke Kuechly is, and comes with less risk than Vontaze Burfict does. Even if the Eagles sign a linebacker in free agency, they can still use a great prospect from the draft.

Dont’a Hightower was a big part of Alabama’s heavy-duty defense, amassing 79 tackles in 2011 (the Allstate BCS Championship game not included). He also did a good job on numerous pass-rushing situations.

Hightower was the captain of the Crimson Tide and his game has helped the fans forget about Rolando McClain. He can be the future leader of the Eagles’ defense as well.

2) Second Round: Fletcher Cox (DT) – 3) Mohamed Sanu (WR)

Fletcher Cox is one of the top defensive tackle prospects. He is 6’4” and 295 lbs and has been named to the Pro Football Weekly’s All-America team. His stats include 56 tackles and five sacks (Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl included).

The Eagles have Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson, whose MRI syndrome is a concern, while Antonio Dixon is a restricted free agent. Derek Landri and Trevor Laws are unrestricted free agents and probably only one of them will return.

Cox will add more depth to Philadelphia’s defensive line. However, I expect him to get some time on the field, since Jim Washburn likes to use his players in a rotation.

The Eagles have one more pick in the second round from trading Kevin Kolb to Arizona. I expect them to draft a wide receiver and since Alshon Jeffery will probably be gone, Mohamed Sanu is the next best thing.

Sanu is 6’2” and weighs about 215 lbs. The former Rutgers Scarlet Knight had seven touchdowns and 1,206 yards in 2011 (New Era Pinstripe Bowl included), with Chas Dodd and Gary Nova throwing to him.

The Eagles will probably need more than Sanu if DeSean Jackson does not sign a new contract. Jason Avant is a great slot receiver, but both Riley Cooper and Chad Hall cannot be more than situational players.

Sanu will definitely raise the competition in practice and might be a better option than Cooper and Hall.

4) Third Round: Matt McCants (OT)

Matt McCants is one of the few offensive tackles in the 2012 Draft that can help their teams in their rookie year. Playing at left tackle for the UAB Blazers, McCants was selected to the All-Conference USA First Team for the 2011 football season.

He stares at the world from 6’6” and he weighs around 300 lbs. UAB’s offensive line allowed only 30 sacks in 24 games and McCants was a big part of this record. He is not considered a day-one starter, but he already has much of the required skills. His big body and long arms are great help in running plays.

The Eagles had an improved offensive line in 2011, but they lack depth. Injuries are very common and the team needs options at every position. King Dunlap will probably be a free agent, so the Eagles will have to draft an offensive tackle.

5) Fourth Round: Terrell Manning (LB) – 6) Tauren Poole (RB)

One linebacker is not enough for the Eagles. Even if they draft one in the first round, they’ll need to pick one more. Terrell Manning is a very interesting prospect. He is 6’3”, 233 lbs and his athletic skills are a rare find.

First of all, Manning’s explosiveness is impressive. He can outrun the tackles and apply pressure to the quarterback. He's a solid tackler too, he finished the season with 76 tackles (Belk Bowl included), despite missing two games. Additionally, he had 5.5 sacks on the season.

His playing style is a bit raw, but this can be a good thing for the Eagles; their linebackers were very soft in 2011.

Tauren Poole looks like a great pick, if the Eagles can get him in the fourth round. The running back of the Tennessee Volunteers didn’t have a spectacular season; however, his value is appreciated in the football world.

Tennessee struggled all year long and Poole didn’t manage to pull himself out of that. At 5’10”, 215 lbs, Poole had only three games with over 100 rushing yards and was nowhere near his junior-season numbers.

The Eagles have one of the best NFL running backs in LeSean McCoy and a promising player in Dion Lewis, but they need one more addition as an insurance policy. Ronnie Brown is not expected back, so the Eagles could use Poole.

7) Fifth Round: Rishaw Johnson (OG)

Danny Watkins was a good choice by the Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft, even though he required some time to be productive. The offensive guard position remains shallow on the Eagles’ roster, so Andy Reid and Howie Roseman will have to pick a guard.

Rishaw Johnson is considered a high-risk player. He was kicked out of Ole Miss in 2010 for numerous violations of the team rules. He enters the 2012 NFL Draft as a Vulcan from California University of Pennsylvania.

Johnson is a nice option if you want to support the run. He has a great first-step and his strength is a problem for most defensive linemen. He is not so good when pass-blocking, however, and needs to work on his technique.

Like with every high-risk player, Johnson can prove to be a great sleeper. His behavior will be a concern for the teams willing to draft him, but someone will pull the trigger. I’d like to see the Eagles do it here.