Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft: Grading Picks from B/R Community Mock Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away.

It's that rare time of year where everyone has something to be optimistic about. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts, the St. Louis Rams and even the Washington Redskins can feel good about the prospects they can draft early in the first round. Last season's failures are over and it's time to focus on the upcoming season.

Most of the dust has settled from free agency, and teams can now focus on a few needs heading into the draft.

Most of the prospects have already participated in their pro days and, after the college football season, the Senior Bowl and the combine, we have a pretty good sense on the type of players that these prospects could become.

Since we started dissecting mock drafts from around the web, we have analyzed picks from the Mel Kiper and Todd McShays of the world.

Today, I'll take a look at the mock draft that was recently completed by the writing community here at Bleacher Report. I'll analyze each Eagles pick and give it a letter grade based on value, fit and immediate impact.  

First Round, Pick 15: Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi A+

During the entire pre-draft process, including pro days and the combine, you will see two types of players that stand out to scouts and fans alike.

Some stand out because they put up monster numbers at the combine. Some stand out based more on film.

Dontari Poe is an athlete playing football. He put up monster numbers at the combine but has little evidence on film that proves he is a first-round-caliber player. Kendall Wright didn't wow people at the combine, but he certainly did on film and will be a first-round pick.

Fletcher Cox is a combination of both types of players. He had a great combine with a 4.79 40 and 30 reps on the bench press. He also stood out on film against SEC competition and also showed off his versatility playing all four line positions.

Cox fits the Eagles' defensive line coach Jim Washburn's scheme perfectly. He is versatile and athletic. He should become an elite pass-rusher under Washburn as a defensive tackle in obvious passing situations while also helping out in run support at times as a defensive end.

This is a great pick and the only pick for the Eagles.

Second Round, Pick 46: Andre Branch DE Clemson B+

The Eagles don't have to select a defensive end in this year's draft. They already have Trent Cole and Darryl Tapp rotating on one side along with Jason Babin and Brandon Graham on the other side with Phillip Hunt in the mix somewhere as well.

Tapp is due $2.5 million this season and will be a free-agent next season. Brandon Graham is trying to get back to 100 percent after having tearing his ACL late in the 2010 season. Jason Babin is also on the wrong end of 30 and could be a cap casualty in either 2013 or 2014.

If the right defensive end falls in the Eagles' laps at any time during the draft, I believe they will scoop him up in a heartbeat. Andre Branch is one of those defensive ends.

Some scouts have Branch projected as more of a 3-4 outside linebacker, but I see him as a 4-3 defensive end in the right scheme. The wide-9 that the Eagles currently employ is that scheme.

He is still a bit raw as a defensive end, but is incredibly quick and agile. He isn't strong enough to beat offensive tackles consistently in a standard 4-3 defense, but he can really use his speed and lateral agility to get around tackles in a wider line.

He should be a good situational pass-rusher early in his career, and if he can add about 10-15 pounds and improve on his technique, he can become a really good all-round defensive end in a couple years.

Second Round, Pick 51: Brandon Boykin CB Georgia A++

Brandon Boykin has become my favorite prospect for the Eagles at this point.

He fits two needs, and he can fill those needs right away. Boykin was used primarily as a slot corner this past season at Georgia, and will probably start out in the slot on defense early in his pro career.

He is also an elite kick returner which is a huge need for the Eagles to put it lightly.

Boykin is going to fall on a lot of team's big boards because he is a smaller corner (5'10, 180) and he didn't play primarily on the outside in 2011.

It's their loss, because Boykin has both a great deal of potential while at the same time being ready to make a major contribution to an NFL team right away.

If he was selected by the Eagles, he would start out by being the Eagles' No. 2 slot corner in dime packages behind Joselio Hanson.

Hanson is one of the best slot corners in the NFL, but is getting older and is in the final year of his contract. Boykin would replace Hanson as the team's nickel back next season if he doesn't take his job in training camp.

He could also start on the outside down the road opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie if both Curtis Marsh and Brandon Hughes don't pan out.

The biggest sell for Boykin for Eagles fans will be his ability on kickoffs. He returned four for touchdowns during his career including three for over 100 yards. He finished his college career with over 2,600 return yards, which ranks second in SEC history.

Anytime you can fill two needs with one player outside of the first round, it's a great pick.

Third Round, Pick 90: Demario Davis OLB Arkansas State C-

Demario Davis is one of those players that I can't figure out if he is more of an athlete or a football player.

He was one of the top linebackers in every single drill at the combine. He put up 32 reps in the bench press, had a vertical jump of 38.5 inches and ran a very fast 4.61 40.

When I watch him on tape I see a very athletic outside linebacker who gets out of position at times and really struggles to take on bigger blockers in the run game.

He will be a great special teams player at the next level. You don't have to search very far for tape of him blowing up a defender in kick coverage.

Can he cover backs and tight ends at the next level? And can he make an impact against the run?

He needs a lot of development and coaching at the next level in order to answer those questions.

I don't love Davis being selected by the Eagles. They already have enough raw but speedy outside linebackers on the roster like Jamar Chaney, Moise Fokou and Keenan Clayton.

What the Eagles need at outside linebacker in the draft is someone who is more suited for the SAM position and is more polished.

Fourth Round, Pick 106(Via Carolina): Kirk Cousins QB Michigan State B

I am a big fan of Kirk Cousins.

He isn't one of those quarterback prospects that wows you with his physical attributes, but the last time I checked, a quarterback who runs a sub 4.5 40 hasn't won a Super Bowl yet.

Cousins' leadership skills and intangibles are absolutely through the roof. You can't overvalue those types of attributes. Things like composure, maturity and the ability to lead are so important at the quarterback position.

Tom Brady was and still is that type of player. He ran a 5.23 40 at the combine back in 2000. He didn't have a cannon for an arm either. What he did have were great intangibles and a pretty accurate arm with plenty of room to grow as a quarterback.

I see Kirk Cousins as a very similar player. He is a bit more athletic than Brady (4.93 40). He doesn't have a cannon for an arm either but, like Brady, he can make all the throws needed at the next level.

He also leads his receiver on the majority of his passes which also cannot be overvalued.

The Eagles probably don't go into the draft expecting to take a quarterback.

They will do their homework on several prospects and will only take one if the value is good and the player fits their offense. Cousins would be a great fit in Andy Reid's offense down the road and is projected to be a second- or third-round pick.

It doesn't make sense for the Eagles to waste a second- or third-round pick on a player that would backup Michael Vick for at least two or three seasons.

Vick is still the Eagles franchise quarterback. If he has another high turnover seasons like he did last year, Reid will be looking to replace him. If he improves in that area then there is no point in the Eagles replacing him anytime soon.

Cousins would be a good backup plan for Michael Vick and probably beats out either Trent Edwards or Mike Kafka for the third-string quarterback spot in training camp.

Fourth Round, Pick 116: Brandon Mosley OT Auburn A+

When Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon, Brandon Mosley was the first prospect that came to mind as a long-term replacement.

Sure, there are better players in the first round that could fit the Eagles' blocking scheme, but Mosley is a great value in the second round.

In this draft, the Eagles get him in the middle of the fourth round which is an absolute steal.

He is a bit raw as he didn't play on the offensive line after he transferred to Auburn from junior college two years ago. He picked up the position very quickly, which is a pretty good sign he will be a fast learner at the next level.

He has a good strength and athleticism combo, which is what Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd wants in his players. He also plays the position very aggressively which will fit right in as well.

He won't have to replace Peters right away. Between Evan Mathis, King Dunlap, a free agent to be signed and Todd Herremans, the Eagles will have two starting tackles that won't come out of the draft.

In case Peters doesn't fully recover from his injury, which is very possible, Mosley could be the left or right tackle of the future. The Eagles could move Herremans to left tackle, where he thrived in the final game last season.

Fifth Round, Pick 148(Via Kansas City): Devon Wylie WR Fresno State D-

Devon Wylie is one of the top slot receiver prospects in the draft.

Someone is going to get a pretty polished slot receiver who proved how fast and quick he was at Fresno State's pro day with very good times. I don't think it will be Philadelphia though.

The Eagles already have a pretty solid slot receiver in Jason Avant. If they add another player that is best suited for the slot at least early in his career, it will be a bigger receiver that is capable of making plays in the red zone like Mohamed Sanu.

Wylie is small at 5'9, 187 pounds but he is a very aggressive receiver. When you watch him on tape, he almost always comes back to the ball. That is something that receivers either do from instinct or they don't.

What Wylie doesn't do is make enough plays inside the 20. The Eagles are pretty set at wide receiver with Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant. Riley Cooper could be challenged this summer, but it will be by another bigger receiver.

Fifth Round, Pick 155: Cyrus Gray RB Texas A&M A+

Cyrus Gray is one of the most underrated running back prospects in the draft.

He can return kicks, catch the ball out of the backfield and is a pretty good runner as well. He also shows great patience and balance for a running back coming out of college.

A lot of people tend to focus on a running back's straight-line speed and their ability to run tacklers over—attributes that are extremely overrated. Defenses are much faster and much bigger for running backs to just rely on their trucking ability or their track speed alone.

Gray isn't going to run you over or run by you. He isn't slow or weak by any stretch, but he doesn't survive by those areas.

He has really quick feet and great balance. He catches the ball well and is very patient waiting for his blocks to set up. He also always manages to fall forward.

Whether it's at the end of a long run, behind the line of scrimmage when the blocking has failed or anywhere in between, the man always falls forward.

What should be a two-yard loss is more of a short loss. What is a five-yard gain turns into a six- or seven-yard gain. You can't teach that. Running backs either have that or they don't.

He does the little things well too. Like LeSean McCoy, he is great in pass protection. He doesn't just get in the way, he stands his ground against linebackers and defensive ends.

Also like McCoy, he takes good care of the football. He lost just one fumble in his four-year career at Texas A&M.

Gray is also a solid return man on kickoffs. He had over 2,300 career return yards on kickoffs with two touchdowns and a career average of 23 yard per return.

Gray is the best fit out of all the running backs in the 2012 draft class. He is a complete back and does all the little things well. Great value after the third round. 

Sixth Round, Pick 182: Christian Thompson FS South Carolina State B-

At this point on the offseason, the Eagles still need to add a free safety to backup Nate Allen and contribute on special teams.

Yeremiah Bell's name has been mentioned for that spot with the Eagles, but is well on the decline at age 34. He won't be expected to do much on special teams.

I think the Eagles add a veteran at free safety, whether it's Bell or someone else, but will still draft a safety for competition. Christian Thompson fits what the Eagles like at the position.

Thompson is a good athlete for the position and ranked near the top of all safeties in the 40 and the agility drills at the combine. He can be a tenacious hitter too, which would make him an ideal player on special teams.

He will have to make his mark on special teams to make the final 53 man roster, but I like his chances.

Sixth Round, Pick 203: Evan Rodriguez FB Temple B+

Evan Rodriguez is more of a receiving full back or tight end than he is a natural blocker—a good fit for the west coast, but not for the more run-oriented teams.

He tested well athletically at the combine, which was huge for his draft stock. Stanley Havili is a similar player on the Eagles' roster. He wasn't known as a blocking full back either but is a good receiver, which is what the Eagles really want at the position.

Rodriguez could fill two needs this season if he can earn a spot on the roster. He could be the starting full back and the third tight end. He could be a player that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg can really play around with.

He will have to develop quickly, though, as full back isn't a position the Eagles will add an extra roster spot to develop for a couple years. Either Stanley Havili or someone else will make the Eagles' final roster.

Having said that, Evan Rodriguez is still a really good value late in the sixth round.