Less than 72 hours away from one of the most anticipated drafts in years, and we still have no idea where anyone is going to wind up. Houston starts the domino effect when they make the first selection Thursday night. Although the most likely selection will be Jadaveon Clowney, no one is certain that it will be him. Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and even Khalil Mack have been linked to the top spot. The rest of the top five picks will depend on what Houston does. Although the Eagles are drafting late enough to not worry about if they will land a top five player, there are a lot of variables at play before they can make their selection.
Currently, most mock drafts have the Eagles selecting DeSean Jackson's replacement in the first round, but Todd McShay's latest mock draft has the Eagles going with Calvin Pryor in the 22nd slot. We won't know for sure until Mel Kiper releases Mock Drafts 61.0-85.0, all of which will be released in five minute intervals on Wednesday afternoon. The three biggest areas of need for the Eagles are at receiver, outside linebacker/defensive end (pass rusher), and in the secondary, preferrably safety over cornerback if possible. There are a few different paths the Eagles can take in the draft, and I will now attempt to map out a few of their potential draft day plans.
1) Eagles go with a WR in the first round:
1st pick: Wide receiver
Likely picks: Odell Beckham (trade up only), Cody Latimer, Marquis Lee, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams
There have been a few rumors going around this week that the Eagles would possibly trade up to draft Beckham, who is slated to be picked in the 12-16 range. While he is an incredible athlete, the Eagles only have six draft picks this season and sacrificing a couple picks to move up and draft a receiver in a class that is already deep at the position is less than ideal. Waiting for Cooks, Lee, Benjamin or even Matthews or Latimer would be a much wiser move for the Eagles.
2nd pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Kyle Van Noy, Trent Murphy, Demarcus Lawrence
I've brought up Murphy quite a bit in previous articles, and I still believe he would be a good fit for the Eagles' defense. Van Noy may not be available in the second round, but should definitely be picked if Philly has a chance. Lawrence has been a late riser on the draft boards andmight not be available either, but he is an incredibly gifted player
3rd pick: Secondary
Likely picks:Terrence Brooks, Jimmie Ward, Stan Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste has been drawing comparisons as a poor man's Richard Sherman, which is still richer than most NFL players. Both are big bruising players who use their strength to knock around receivers. Ward and Brooks are interesting late round finds whom can jump into a starting role from day one.
2) Eagles go with Secondary in the first round:
1st pick: Safety/Cornerback
Likely picks: Calvin Pryor, Kyle Fuller, Bradley Roby
Calvin Pryor has been linked to the Eagles for quite sometime, and I can't see how they would be able to resist picking him if he falls to #22. Pryor has the potential to be the best safety the Eagles have had since Brian Dawkins and fills up a hole they've had for several years now. However, the Eagles are unlikely to pick anyone else in the secondary here unless Darqueze Denard or Justin Gilbert fall this far.
2nd pick: Wide Receiver
Likely picks: Kelvin Benjamin, Bruce Ellington, Jarvis Landry
Receiver will be a very volatile position in this year's draft. As many as six can go in the first round, but only four are first round locks (Watkins, Evans, Beckham, Cooks). If Benjamin falls to the Eagles' second round pick, Philly will be ecstatic. Realistically, Ellington and Landry, and possibly Matthews will be available here.
3rd pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Scott Crichton, Kareem Martin, Telvin Smith
The quality of pass rushers isn't as deep as other positions in the draft, especially receiver, but Crichton and Martin would be good options to have on the defensive line. Smith could also provide a good edge rush attack from the outside linebacker position.
3) Eagles go with Pass Rusher in the first round:
1st pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Anthony Barr, Dee Ford, Ryan Shazier, Kony Ealy
If the first 21 picks are heavily receiver and secondary oriented, Barr would likely fall to 22, where Philly would love to scoop him up. Ford and Shazier could be in play too, if the Eagles decide to trade down. No relation to the Ugandan warlord, Philly could make Kony famous. Ealy provides a great edge rush and can team up with Cole to make the defensive line even more intimidating.
2nd pick: Secondary
Likely picks: Bradley Roby, Lamarcus Joyner, Deone Buchanon, Pierre Desir
Secondary is very deep in this year's draft. Even if most of the top options go in the first round, there are a ton of second round options. Roby and Desir are terrific cover corners, while Joyner and Buchanon are hard hitting safeties who could anchor a secondary in a few years.
3rd pick: Receiver
Likely picks: Paul Richardson, Allen Robinson, Brandon Coleman
These three receivers would go in the second round in most years, but are held back because of the immense positional depth at receiver. The Eagles really need to find a replacement for Jackson in the draft, but can afford to be patient if it means one of these guys will be around.
There you have it. Of course, anything can happen in this draft, but the Eagles have a really good idea of where they need to make upgrades and I have faith in Chip Kelly and the rest of the front office to make the right moves this weekend.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat
1) Eagles go with a WR in the first round:
1st pick: Wide receiver
Likely picks: Odell Beckham (trade up only), Cody Latimer, Marquis Lee, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams
There have been a few rumors going around this week that the Eagles would possibly trade up to draft Beckham, who is slated to be picked in the 12-16 range. While he is an incredible athlete, the Eagles only have six draft picks this season and sacrificing a couple picks to move up and draft a receiver in a class that is already deep at the position is less than ideal. Waiting for Cooks, Lee, Benjamin or even Matthews or Latimer would be a much wiser move for the Eagles.
2nd pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Kyle Van Noy, Trent Murphy, Demarcus Lawrence
I've brought up Murphy quite a bit in previous articles, and I still believe he would be a good fit for the Eagles' defense. Van Noy may not be available in the second round, but should definitely be picked if Philly has a chance. Lawrence has been a late riser on the draft boards andmight not be available either, but he is an incredibly gifted player
3rd pick: Secondary
Likely picks:Terrence Brooks, Jimmie Ward, Stan Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste has been drawing comparisons as a poor man's Richard Sherman, which is still richer than most NFL players. Both are big bruising players who use their strength to knock around receivers. Ward and Brooks are interesting late round finds whom can jump into a starting role from day one.
2) Eagles go with Secondary in the first round:
1st pick: Safety/Cornerback
Likely picks: Calvin Pryor, Kyle Fuller, Bradley Roby
Calvin Pryor has been linked to the Eagles for quite sometime, and I can't see how they would be able to resist picking him if he falls to #22. Pryor has the potential to be the best safety the Eagles have had since Brian Dawkins and fills up a hole they've had for several years now. However, the Eagles are unlikely to pick anyone else in the secondary here unless Darqueze Denard or Justin Gilbert fall this far.
2nd pick: Wide Receiver
Likely picks: Kelvin Benjamin, Bruce Ellington, Jarvis Landry
Receiver will be a very volatile position in this year's draft. As many as six can go in the first round, but only four are first round locks (Watkins, Evans, Beckham, Cooks). If Benjamin falls to the Eagles' second round pick, Philly will be ecstatic. Realistically, Ellington and Landry, and possibly Matthews will be available here.
3rd pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Scott Crichton, Kareem Martin, Telvin Smith
The quality of pass rushers isn't as deep as other positions in the draft, especially receiver, but Crichton and Martin would be good options to have on the defensive line. Smith could also provide a good edge rush attack from the outside linebacker position.
3) Eagles go with Pass Rusher in the first round:
1st pick: Pass Rusher
Likely picks: Anthony Barr, Dee Ford, Ryan Shazier, Kony Ealy
If the first 21 picks are heavily receiver and secondary oriented, Barr would likely fall to 22, where Philly would love to scoop him up. Ford and Shazier could be in play too, if the Eagles decide to trade down. No relation to the Ugandan warlord, Philly could make Kony famous. Ealy provides a great edge rush and can team up with Cole to make the defensive line even more intimidating.
2nd pick: Secondary
Likely picks: Bradley Roby, Lamarcus Joyner, Deone Buchanon, Pierre Desir
Secondary is very deep in this year's draft. Even if most of the top options go in the first round, there are a ton of second round options. Roby and Desir are terrific cover corners, while Joyner and Buchanon are hard hitting safeties who could anchor a secondary in a few years.
3rd pick: Receiver
Likely picks: Paul Richardson, Allen Robinson, Brandon Coleman
These three receivers would go in the second round in most years, but are held back because of the immense positional depth at receiver. The Eagles really need to find a replacement for Jackson in the draft, but can afford to be patient if it means one of these guys will be around.
There you have it. Of course, anything can happen in this draft, but the Eagles have a really good idea of where they need to make upgrades and I have faith in Chip Kelly and the rest of the front office to make the right moves this weekend.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat
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