Mid-Round NFL Draft Targets Who Could Start in Year 1 for Philadelphia Eagles

As the Philadelphia Eagles approach the NFL draft, acquiring Marcus Mariota seems to be the main priority for new director of player personnel Chip Kelly.

From now until draft day, rumors will surround this team, whether it’s a trade up involving current quarterback Nick Foles, All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy or simply a slew of first-round draft picks. Aside from the desire for Mariota, Kelly will need to look heavily at his defense for the 2015 campaign.

This unit performed admirably in the front seven, but the secondary was badly exposed. The Eagles had no answer for Jordy Nelson, Dez Bryant or Odell Beckham Jr. Philadelphia struggled miserably against NFC playoff teams, and upgrades would suffice at a number of positions on the team.

The Eagles didn’t get much from their 2014 draft class aside from Jordan Matthews, and they’ll need more production from their ’15 rookies to expect to win the NFC East next season. Then again, the ’13 draft class got strong production from each of its first three draft picks.

Here is a handful of players who could be on Kelly and Howie Roseman’s radar, each of whom may be able to start as a rookie on this team.

Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

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There’s a good chance Alex Carter goes in one of the draft’s first two rounds, but if he manages to fall to Round 3, he’s a steal for the Philadelphia Eagles. The team’s cornerback woes were well-documented down the stretch, culminating in Bradley Fletcher allowing over 1,000 passing yards and nine touchdowns through the air, per Pro Football Focus.

Fletcher won’t be back, and Cary Williams is a likely veteran release given his $8.1 million cap hit for 2015. Defensive coordinator Billy Davis has made it abundantly clear he prefers undersized cornerback Brandon Boykin in the slot, which means the Eagles could theoretically be looking for two starters on the outside.

It’s not Philadelphia’s style to draft a rookie cornerback and start him immediately, but that may have to be the case, especially if the organization feels it isn’t worth shelling out big bucks for Byron Maxwell or Kareem Jackson. Last year’s fourth-round corner, Jaylen Watkins, barely got on the field, meaning it’s a wide-open camp competition at this position.

Carter has good size for his position at 6’0”, 200 pounds, and he attended the Pac-12. Walter Football projects his 40 time to be a quick 4.47, which means he has the tools to contribute immediately if the Eagles feel it's necessary.

Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss

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For the seventh consecutive offseason (since Brian Dawkins was allowed to walk in free agency), the Philadelphia Eagles need safety help. Failed attempts at Macho Harris, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Kenny Phillips, Patrick Chung and O.J. Atogwe—to name a handful of examples—haven’t bolstered this unit.

Malcolm Jenkins was respectable in Year 1 after signing a free-agent deal, but he’s likely just a stopgap. It’s time the team drafts a safety who turns into a Pro Bowl player, one who can lead the defense. The Eagles’ organization, though, seems to prefer the mid-round player who can compete for a job and hopefully turn into a player in the long term.

Ole Miss’s Cody Prewitt saw his stock rise after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, and he has similar size to that of Kam Chancellor. Prewitt stands at 6’2”, 217 pounds, and he’s likely a Day 2 prospect. If the Eagles draft him, he has a good chance of pushing for a starting job right away.

Josh Shaw, CB, USC

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Josh Shaw’s off-the-field incident was well-documented this past season, but beyond that, he has the talent to succeed in the National Football League. He will assuredly drop in the upcoming draft as a result, but the Philadelphia Eagles should be able to get him by the fourth or fifth round.

Shaw is a big, physical corner at 6’1”, 200 pounds, and he has played both cornerback and safety. Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman love versatility from their players, and that’s exactly what Shaw offers. With Shaw, the Eagles would have three players (Malcolm Jenkins and Jaylen Watkins) who can conceivably contribute at both defensive backfield positions.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland

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The Philadelphia Eagles could be in an interesting wide receiver situation next year. In lieu of the latest Jeremy Maclin news, it seems the organization may not be able to retain its Pro Bowl player.

On 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, Adam Caplan said it’s no guarantee Maclin is back, largely because he changed agents this offseason.

If Maclin isn’t able to be re-signed, it’s a likelihood he will still get the franchise tag. However, if the team feels Maclin isn’t worth that on a one-year deal, Chip Kelly may head into 2015 with Jordan Matthews and (once again) Riley Cooper as his starting outside wide receivers.

Anyone who watched Cooper play knows he can’t separate from opposing cornerbacks, and Maryland’s Stefon Diggs would push for immediate playing time. Diggs has elite breakaway speed, but unlike DeSean Jackson, he’s a bigger player—Diggs’ 6’0”, 190-pound frame puts him more in the Mike Wallace class than Jackson.

Diggs would thrive in the slot, and he would bring an element of surprise to the Eagles offense should the team draft him.

Terrance Smith, ILB, Florida State

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Due to DeMeco Ryans’ impending $6.9 million cap hit for 2015, he may have played his last down with the Philadelphia Eagles. Florida State’s Terrance Smith could push for a starting spot next to Mychal Kendricks if he can beat out a handful of other players in camp, notably Travis Long, Emmanuel Acho and Casey Matthews.

If the Eagles do rid themselves of Ryans’ contract, Smith may very well start as a rookie. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award at Florida State in 2014, and he has excellent speed for the position. Realistically, even a starting role wouldn’t keep Smith on the field for more than half of the snaps due to an influx of four-man fronts and nickel packages.