Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft: Updated Day 3 Predictions
Heading into the final day of the draft, Chip Kelly's time as general manager for the Philadelphia Eagles hasn't gone as expected. After Kelly was unable to trade a massive package to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 overall pick, he stayed put in the first round and selected USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
In the second round, Kelly traded up five spots to nab versatile defensive back Eric Rowe, who has a chance to start at either cornerback or safety for the Eagles in 2015. In the third round, Kelly grabbed an inside linebacker, Jordan Hicks, who can compete for a starting job in a year or two or possibly even in 2015, depending on what happens with inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
With four picks remaining in his first-ever draft as the team's general manager, Kelly still desperately needs to help Philly's offensive line. The Eagles could also use another defensive back, as well as more depth at linebacker and possibly even another offensive lineman.
In the next four slides, I will attempt to guess how the final four rounds of the 2015 draft will play out for Philly.
Round 4
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113. Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
I've been consistent in saying that Adrian Amos to the Eagles at pick 113 probably makes the most sense for both sides.
Even with the selection of versatile defensive back Eric Rowe, the Eagles need another playmaker in their secondary. Rowe is a player who possesses the tools to play either cornerback or safety. PhillyMag's Sheil Kapadia speculated that Rowe will play cornerback in 2015 and possibly moving forward. If so, Amos is a player who could easily compete for a starting job as a rookie.
After all, the current group of safeties for the Eagles is nothing special. Earl Wolff, Ed Reynolds and Jerome Couplin are all best suited as backups. Amos ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, and his coverage skills will be an absolute necessity in a division featuring Odell Beckham, Dez Bryant and DeSean Jackson.
The Eagles could theoretically look at a prospect like UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley if he's still on the board when it's their pick, but the guess here is that Kelly likes what he has in Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez as the top two quarterbacks. Hundley likely wouldn't make any impact in 2015. Amos is a player who could help the Eagles from Day 1.
Round 6
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191. Obum Gwacham, OLB, Oregon State
My mock draft yesterday night had the Eagles selecting LSU edge-rusher Danielle Hunter with their third-round pick. Instead, the Eagles chose an inside linebacker in Jordan Hicks, but adding a pass-rusher should still be on the team's priority list heading into Day 3 of the draft.
Oregon State's Obum Gwacham is a player Chip Kelly will be very familiar with. First, he went to Oregon State, so Kelly saw him play many times. He's a freak athlete, a little-used wide receiver who converted to defensive end before his final year in college.
In his senior year, Gwacham recorded 28 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, plus four sacks and one forced fumble. That was his first year ever playing the position. He's the definition of a player worth making a low-risk, high-reward selection on.
At just 236 pounds, Gwacham is undersized, but he has unbelievable athletic ability. As he continues to learn the position, he could transform into a beast on the defensive side of the ball. He's also a high-character guy, which Kelly will obviously value.
Gwacham has practice squad in 2015 written all over him, but in a year, especially if Vinny Curry leaves via free agency, Gwacham could compete for playing time at outside linebacker.
Round 6
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196. Mark Glowinski, OT/G, West Virginia
The Eagles failed to add a single offensive lineman in the draft in 2014 and paid for it drastically during the season when Pro Bowlers Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce were injured and starting tackle Lane Johnson was suspended.
Through the first three rounds of the draft, the Eagles still haven't added depth on their offensive line. In fact, since Kelly drafted Lane Johnson with his first-ever draft pick back in 2013, he's gone 17 straight draft picks without selecting an offensive lineman.
Now the Eagles still have one of the game's best offensive lines, but veterans Jason Peters and the aforementioned Mathis are entering the final year or two of their tenure in Philadelphia. There's also a hole at right guard after Todd Herremans was cut following the most disappointing season of his career.
In Glowinski, the Eagles will get a player they talked with at the East-West Shrine Game, a game where the former West Virginia player chose to turn in the best showing of his career. Glowinski's closest player comparison, via Mockdraftable, is current Dallas Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin.
Glowinski, who originally began his college career at junior college, can play both tackle and guard. His versatility would be extremely handy for an Eagles squad that is lacking formidable depth at all five positions on the offensive line.
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Round 7
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237. R.J. Harris, WR, New Hampshire
I've mocked R.J. Harris to the Eagles before, and I'm going back to it heading into the final day of the draft. This is just one of those picks that feels right, as Chip Kelly and the Eagles showed a lot of interest in the former New Hampshire star.
During his college career, Harris posted jaw-dropping numbers, albeit against much worse competition than players at top universities. As a senior, Harris caught 100 passes for 1551 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also possessing the ability to play X, Y or Z receiver, as well as line up in the backfield.
Although the Eagles currently have Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, Miles Austin and Seyi Ajirotutu on their roster, Harris is a low-risk, medium-reward option who could spend a year on the practice squad before competing for a roster spot in 2016.
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