Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft and Big Board: Updated Day 2 Predictions

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It’s still early, but through one night of the 2016 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles are right on track for a transformative weekend for their franchise heading into Day 2.

The Eagles did exactly what most expected with the No. 2 overall pick on Thursday, using their trade up to select a franchise quarterback in North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. It’s far too early to tell what lies ahead for Wentz in 2016 and if he even factors into the offense’s plans for next year, but the aggressive move shows Philly is all-in on building a championship contender over the next decade.

How well Wentz develops will undoubtedly define this draft for the Eagles, but they’re far from done. Six of their seven picks lie ahead throughout the weekend, although only one will come in Day 2 in the form of the No. 79 overall pick in Round 3.

Barring a Sam Bradford trade, the Eagles won’t be very busy on Friday night with that lone selection. But that makes the mid-third-round pick all the more important, so let’s dive right in and see what the Eagles should do there and throughout the rest of the draft.

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With 31 of the best players in the class now off the board, let’s take an updated look at the Eagles big board. Like the last few, this only focuses on positions of need for Philadelphia.

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Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn

The Eagles got their quarterback of the future. Now, it’s time to get a key offensive tackle piece for the future.

Philly can get a great prospect there in Auburn’s Shon Coleman. I’ve been high on Coleman to the Eagles throughout the pre-draft process, because of his immense potential mirrored with a need for development fits right into the Eagles’ plans up front.

They have Jason Peters locked down for a few more years on a big contract, but he’s 34 years old. Lane Johnson is an ideal choice to slide over to left tackle once Peters is out, leaving right tackle open for Coleman to work his way into.

Coleman needs to work on his footwork and consistency, but with a long frame and the ability to get to the second level in the run game, he could make an early impact as a reserve and prove his worth in being a future piece for the line.

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Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida

He’s not the same running back as his father, the legendary Fred Taylor, but Florida’s Kelvin Taylor has a lot of the same characteristics along with his own strengths that will make him an ideal change-of-pace back in Philadelphia.

Taylor’s stock has dropped a bit to this point where the Eagles can nab him in Round 5, largely because he didn’t put up great numbers at the combine. When you put the tape on, though, his ability to dance for extra yardage and get his pads low to move the pile proves he’ll be a lot more effective than his 40-yard dash and combine numbers indicate.

The shifty yet burly Taylor will not only give Philadelphia the flexibility to find a new home for Darren Sproles, but also push a suddenly thin backfield of Ryan Mathews and Kenjon Barner to step their games up or lose reps to a hungry rookie.

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Blake Martinez, LB, Stanford

Philadelphia is seemingly set at the top of its depth chart at linebacker with the move back to a traditional 4-3, but beyond the starting three, they’re very thin.

Blake Martinez can provide some essential immediate depth, but the Eagles should take him for the upside he brings. The former Stanford linebacker led one of the nation’s strongest defenses, and his ability to stop the run is among the best in this class.

Martinez does have a limited game, struggling in pass coverage and playing from sideline to sideline. But that’s why you’re able to get him in Round 5 if you’re Philadelphia.

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Tajae Sharpe, WR, Massachusetts

The Eagles shouldn’t need help at wideout after taking three in the opening two rounds of the last two drafts. But here they are, again needing to inject some play-making at the position after a few paltry seasons.

In a relatively weak wide receiver class at the top but a noticeable deep one, Philly would get big bang for their buck with Tajae Sharpe out of UMass. Sharpe emerged as one of the nation’s best receivers with an average of 110 yards per game in 2015, using supreme footwork and route-running abilities to keep corners off guard.

Considering where they were drafted, Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff have failed to live up to expectations thus far while Jordan Matthews has been inconsistent. Nabbing a dangerous sixth-round receiver could be just what they need to light their fire, or at least give the Eagles some more options out wide.

Heck, Sharpe could even knock one of them out of a roster spot considering Rueben Randle and Chris Givens have been signed.

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Luther Maddy, DT, Virginia Tech

Fletcher Cox and the Eagles have still yet to come to terms on a new deal, but barring the very unlikely, that will happen before training camp. Him and Bennie Logan will still combine to be one of the league’s best duos of interior defensive linemen.

To keep that duo firing on all cylinders, they could use some plays off and there’s not ideal depth behind them. Luther Maddy would provide just that, emerging from a leadership role at Virginia Tech where his effort level and energy set the tone for a formidable ACC defense.

Maddy is a bit undersized at 6’0” and 287 pounds, but his athleticism and leverage allow him to make up for that. For a seventh-round draft prospect, Maddy has a pretty high ceiling and has the skills to fit perfectly into the 4-3.

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Morgan Burns, CB, Kansas State

Special teams is the only unit that has been fantastic for Philly over the last few years, and the selection of Morgan Burns would immediately inject even more ability into that group.

Burns is listed as a cornerback, but a fair amount of bad tape from playing in the Big 12 indicates he may not have a NFL future there. But there’s always room in the league for speed and dynamic ability in the return game, and that’s where Burns excels as well as anyone in this draft.

Burns took five kicks back to the house for touchdowns in college. Let me repeat that—he took five kicks back to the house for touchdowns in college. I’ll say no more.