Philadelphia Eagles 7-Round Mock Draft After Start of Free Agency
To say the Philadelphia Eagles' mindset for the 2017 NFL draft has been altered by the opening wave of free agency would be an understatement, but it's made the draft no less critical in forming a 2017 contender.
In fact, some of the moves made by general manager Howie Roseman and his front office have probably heightened the need for intelligent and decisive moves in the draft. Such is life when a team like the Eagles—strapped for cash and currently over the cap—addresses one need in a substantial way while completely ignoring another.
For instance, wide receiver won't be a priority anymore early in the draft, if at all, now that the Eagles have locked up Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to fortify one of the weakest spots on the roster. But in doing so, they not only failed to address the needs at cornerback and defensive end, they forfeited the opportunity to do so in free agency with no real cap room left for additions.
Let's address those needs in the latest full seven-round mock draft for the Eagles.
Round 1, Pick 14: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
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The Eagles can consider themselves out of the running for one of the top receivers in the draft now that Jeffery and Smith are in gang green, and they should focus wholeheartedly on getting a Day 1 starter at cornerback.
There are a number of impact corners to be had in the first round, and Alabama's Marlon Humphrey fits the system best. A rangy 6'0" and 195 pounds, Humphrey has not just the size to go toe-to-toe with the big NFC East receivers, but the speed as well after he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine.
A cornerback replenishment could be considered inevitable after the 2016 season, and it's coming to fruition after the Eagles released Leodis McKelvin and allowed Nolan Carroll to sign with the Cowboys. Philadelphia needs not only a good fit at cornerback to play right away, but a skilled prospect who will develop into one of the league's best at the position.
There may not be a better guy to fit the bill in Philly than Humphrey, and the Eagles should jump at the opportunity to take him at No. 14 overall.
Round 2, Pick 43: CB Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
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Now that the Eagles' free-agency plan has taken shape, it's increasingly apparent that nabbing one cornerback early in the draft may not be enough. To move full steam ahead into 2017 with playoff aspirations, they need two starters.
They couldn't do wrong in locking down two stud corners from January's College Football Playoff national championship. Just like Humphrey, Cordrea Tankersley has the combination of size (6'1", 199 pounds) and speed (4.40-second 40-yard dash) that NFC East teams should be looking for to deal with the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant and now Brandon Marshall and Terrelle Pryor in the division.
Tankersley has had occasional problems allowing receivers to gain separation when he's lined up against top receivers in college, but his speedy 40 time at the combine should allow teams to see those weaknesses can be shored up.
In essence, Tankersley is a first-round talent who will only slip to Round 2 because of this year's class at cornerback being among the deepest the draft has ever seen.
The Eagles didn't go after a cornerback in free agency for a reason. They see a great opportunity to nab two Day 1 starters at the position via the draft, and that's just what they'll do.
Round 3, Pick 74: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
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If teams had any doubt of Villanova defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon's ability to be a big-time NFL pass-rusher before the combine, he put those questions to bed in Indianapolis.
Kpassagnon opened the eyes of many scouts when he weighed in at 6'7" and 289 pounds at the combine, opening the question of whether he has the combination of strength and quickness to compete against top offensive tackles. Then, he ran a 4.83-second 40 and put up 23 reps on the bench press, via NFL.com.
The Eagles' need at edge-rusher isn't as gaping as their need at cornerback, but it's nonetheless a big necessity after Brandon Graham provided the only consistent pass rush in 2016. Adding Kpassagnon to the fold would put pressure on Vinny Curry and allow the team to fill the void left by Connor Barwin's release.
If Philly is lucky enough to have Kpassagnon on the board at No. 74 overall, they should pull the trigger without hesitation.
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Round 4, Pick 119: RB Kareem Hunt, Toledo
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The above picture is the look of a player who watched dollar bills fly out of his future bank account after posting his 40-yard dash time at the combine.
Toledo running back left Indianapolis disappointed after he clocked a 4.66-second 40, but that should allow a team like the Eagles to draft him a little lower than initially expected. Hunt will have another chance to boost his 40 time at Toledo's pro day, and he told Mark Podolski of the News-Herald that his goal is in the 4.4-second range.
While 40 times are obviously crucial for running backs, the combine isn't a foolproof judgment period. Hunt showcased at Toledo that he has the speed to be an impact back, and after averaging 5.6 yards per carry with over 1,800 total offensive yards, he's capable of being the three-down versatile back that Carson Wentz needs to elevate the offense.
Ryan Mathews appears to be a cap casualty, so the Eagles are likely going into 2017 with Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles as the lone backs. Adding a versatile, strong, rock-toting back like Hunt will be a must, and they could get a steal by selecting him in Round 4.
Round 4, Pick 139: OT David Sharpe, Florida
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The Eagles fortified their long-term offensive line outlook to an extent in free agency when they re-signed Stefan Wisniewski and added guard Chance Warmack. But that doesn't change the lack of depth on the outside.
A tackle prospect to develop should be high on the Eagles' list, and they can get great value in Round 4 with Florida's David Sharpe. After forgoing his senior season to enter the draft, Sharpe looks like a great right-tackle prospect at 6'6" and 343 pounds who simply needs to refine his skills and learn under some great tackles.
The Eagles would afford him that opportunity. Jason Peters and Lane Johnson will batten down the hatches in 2016, but Peters is 35 and his days in an Eagles uniform are numbered with such a big salary number.
The long-term idea is for Johnson to assume the left tackle role and to bring up a tackle in the draft to eventually plug out right. Sharpe would be a great developmental addition.
Round 5, Pick 155: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
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The crux of late-round drafting, and really the draft in general, is looking at players for what they could become rather than what they currently are. Jalen Reeves-Maybin embodies that in a number of ways.
The former Tennessee linebacker has put as much solid play on tape as any prospect at his position, but his senior season in 2016 got derailed due to a serious shoulder injury. There are concerns about his smaller size, but they are easily overlooked based on what he proved capable of doing at the line of scrimmage and on the perimeter in the ultra-physical SEC.
Due to his injury past and a need to bulk up, Reeves-Maybin won't be counted on much at all in his rookie season but quickly after that could develop into an every-down linebacker who possesses the vision to blow up plays and the versatility to play in coverage.
The Eagles may need a more immediate fix at weak-side linebacker, but drafting Reeves-Maybin would give the team a great long-term outlook at the position and it's well worth investing in during the later rounds.
Round 6, Pick 194: WR Jamari Staples, Louisville
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We're reaching the point in the draft where teams like the Eagles can focus not on positions where they need immediate help, but perhaps will need future help. Mercifully for Philly fans, that's now at wideout.
The Jeffery and Smith signings are great short-term fixes, but neither guarantees a long-term solution. Jeffery is a one-year experiment, while Smith's contract is loaded with team options for 2018 and beyond. Come next offseason, the need for receiving help may be as glaring as it was just a week ago.
Why not take a flier on a developmental prospect like Louisville's Jamari Staples? The former Cardinal did well in 2016 catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, but with just 35 catches and two touchdowns, he's not where he needs to be to produce at the NFL level right away.
At 6'3" and 190 pounds, Staples is a lanky receiver who could develop on the practice squad or perhaps nudge his way on to the roster in front of the Eagles' underperforming young wideouts.
Round 7, Pick 230: DE Hunter Dimick, Utah
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Another spot where the Eagles would be wise to chase high-value depth is at defensive end, where the need for reinforcements has already been discussed. Hunter Dimick wouldn't be a bad pick by any means.
A team captain for the Utah Utes, Dimick rose to a Pac-12 first-team all-conference selection in his senior season. He racked up 14.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss, ranking third nationally in each category. He has a high motor, and he formed a great duo with high draft pick Nate Orchard back in 2014.
Perhaps Dimick could formulate a similar duo in the NFL with Graham, assuming he develops as needed and takes strides in fixing weaknesses in his game.
It's obvious that the Eagles could use some more dependable bodies on the edge, and Dimick would provide that from the onset.
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