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The NFL Scouting Combine wraps on Monday, putting the Philadelphia Eagles one step closer to one of the franchise’s most anticipated drafts in a long time.
A big part of the reason for that seems to be the hype surrounding Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, but I’m sorry to disappoint, he will not be projected to the Birds in this mock. I don’t see him falling far, I don’t see the Eagles having the ability to trade up high enough to get him. The end.
However, if you want a realistic take of what Philly might do with their eight selections come draft weekend, we can discuss that. In our latest mock, we have the Eagles addressing virtually every one of their needs—including signal-caller.
Just not that Mariota guy. The combine is over and Mariota is still a top prospect. Welcome back to the real world.
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No doubt, the Eagles will attempt to solve their secondary woes through free agency to a certain extent, but they can’t afford to stop there. Aside from the fact that this defensive backfield finished 32nd and 31st against the pass the past two years, the only cornerback currently on the roster signed beyond next season is 2014 fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins.
Free-agent help is essentially a must at this point, but the Eagles could further solidify the position with the selection of Trae Waynes. Waynes is the consensus top corner in the draft—without off-field concerns, anyway (looking at you, Marcus Peters)—based on rankings by ESPN’s Scouts Inc., CBSSports.com and Bleacher Report’s own Matt Miller.
Waynes measured in at 6’0”, 186 pounds with 31-inch arms at the combine, which is the kind of size and length the Eagles have sought from their covermen under head coach Chip Kelly. Waynes’ 19 reps in the bench press were also good for tied for fourth among all defensive backs. And as a two-year starter at Michigan State, the redshirt junior racked up 6 interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
The Eagles will have a shot at some intriguing prospects at other areas of need with the 20th overall selection, but even with the addition of a high-priced free agent, issues at cornerback won’t go away. If Waynes is still on the board, he’ll be difficult for the Birds to pass up.
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By far the most underrated need on Philadelphia’s roster is along the offensive line, where three of five starters are already well into their 30s. That includes both guards, Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans, each of whom missed eight games in 2014 due to injury.
When healthy, Mathis and Herremans are still more than capable, but for how long? The Eagles cannot wait until the line starts to crumble from old age, as it showed signs of doing this past season. They must act now, or all the debate over who should be under center and whether or not to pay All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy will be rendered moot.
Fortunately, quality interior line help can be found outside the first round of the draft. One such prospect is Laken Tomlinson, a fast-rising name ever since the Senior Bowl, where NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock says the Duke prospect “shot up draft boards” with his performance.
Enough for the Eagles to consider investing a second-round pick? That remains to be seen, but it certainly wouldn’t be for lack of need. It’s only a matter of time before Mathis and/or Herremans are no longer viable starters, and the depth behind them has not impressed. Better to nip this in the bud before it becomes a real problem.
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The Eagles can sign a free agent to start at cornerback, and they can probably get by for another year with the current offensive-line grouping. Meanwhile, what they may need immediately that could prove difficult to unearth before the draft is an interior linebacker to line up alongside Mychal Kendricks.
DeMeco Ryans will be 31, is coming off his second Achilles injury and is entering the final year of his contract to boot—at $6.9 million, according to Spotrac. There’s no telling so far whether he’ll even be recovered in time for training camp, let alone whether he’ll be able to contribute at a high level at any point this season.
Not unlike offensive guard, interior linebacker is an area that can be addressed outside the first round, and once again, it’s another late riser up draft boards. This time, it’s Mike Hull’s impressive combine performance that should make teams take notice. Hull finished second among all linebackers with 31 reps in the bench press in addition to running well.
Plus, the success of fellow Penn State grads Sean Lee for the Dallas Cowboys and NaVorro Bowman for the San Francisco 49ers should only aid perceptions about Hull’s transition. It’s entirely possible if Ryans isn’t able to play, and there isn’t another viable alternative out there, Hull could be a Week 1 starter in Philly.
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This pick comes courtesy of the Buffalo Bills from last year’s draft-day trade for running back Bryce Brown.
As we mentioned at the top, one cornerback probably isn’t going to the trick for the Eagles. Two might not be enough, either. That’s just how porous Philadelphia’s secondary depth is.
Which is partially what makes a prospect like Eric Rowe so intriguing. A four-year starter at Utah, Rowe spent his first three seasons at safety before switching to corner as a senior. That turned out to be a good move, as he finished tied for second in the Pac-12 with 14 total pass breakups, according to the university’s web site—13 pass breakups, one interception.
At 6’1”, 201 pounds, Rowe has the size and length to play on the outside at the next level. If he can’t cut it at corner for some other reason—athleticism being the primary concern, according to his NFL.com scouting report—Rowe can always try out at safety, where the Birds can also use plenty of help.
As we’ve seen from previous drafts, Kelly values versatility tremendously, so the fact that Rowe could potentially fill one of two separate needs is no minor detail. Look for the Eagles to swoop in early on Day 3.
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We noted McCoy’s contract situation, and it’s worth noting he’ll be 27 this season. There’s still tread left on the tires, but the Eagles better be prepared for a day when the back is no longer worth the money or able to handle a workhorse load.
Whether Karlos Williams can ultimately be the replacement for the franchise’s all-time leading rusher or not is unknown. In fact, he began his career at Florida State as a defensive back, so despite carrying the ball 241 times for 1,419 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons, it’s a small body of work to project to the NFL.
What may make Williams so appealing to the Eagles, however, is the fact that he can contribute in other phases. His ESPN.com scouting report indicates Williams has experience covering kicks and could develop into a core-four special-teamer, which will not go overlooked by Kelly, whose vision helped assemble the best special-teams unit in the NFL in 2014.
Maybe he can one day replace McCoy, maybe he can’t. Either way, Williams could be a valuable reserve and change-of-pace back.
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It’s hard enough finding a quarterback when you’re not picking at the top of the draft. Given how thin this class of signal-callers is, it’s only going to push more marginal talents up the board.
Which is why if the Eagles want to grab a developmental prospect, they may want to think about taking Blake Sims in the fifth round. As of now, that’s a little higher than most rankings have the Alabama product, but assuming the Birds weren’t able to land Heisman Trophy-winner Marcus Mariota—extremely unlikely—this might be their best bet without reaching with an early selection.
2014 was Sims’ only season as a starter for the Tide, completing 64.5 percent of his passes with 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while guiding the team to the college football playoff. He also ran for 350 yards and seven scores.
That athleticism is partially what would make Sims so appealing to Philadelphia. His 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash was third among quarterbacks at the combine.
Sims is undersized at 5’11”, which is one of the main knocks on him. Of course, we’ve seen Russell Wilson succeed in a zone-read offense with the Seattle Seahawks, and while it’s always dangerous to make such comparisons, the Eagles won’t ignore that, either.
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Depending on what happens before the draft, outside linebacker could become a huge, huge need for Philadelphia. Trent Cole is 33 and a certain cap casualty if he doesn’t restructure his contract. Brandon Graham is an impending free agent and not particularly close to re-signing. What, is Marcus Smith going to start after the first-round pick barely saw the field his rookie year?
Obviously, if things don’t work out with Cole and Graham, the Eagles will look to sign a veteran replacement in free agency. That being said, at the very least depth will remain a concern.
On the surface, taking on another outside-linebacker prospect who lacks functional strength like Smith in the form of Tony Washington may seem like a bad idea. Washington disappointed at the combine with just 17 reps in the bench press, second-fewest among all linebackers.
Then again, if anybody knows Washington, it’s Kelly, who would’ve recruited him to Oregon. If the head coach thinks this player could thrive after a year or two developing in an NFL conditioning program, he might be worth a flier at this juncture in the draft. Washington did post 23.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles over the past two seasons, so the disruptive potential is there.
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For now, let’s assume Jeremy Maclin returns on a long-term extension. That leaves the Eagles with Maclin, second-year wideouts Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff and Riley Cooper.
Cooper is out the door next year when the cap hit becomes a little reasonable to stomach, which means the Birds will need another receiver. Maybe attempt to get a head start on developing a replacement for that fourth or fifth backup spot?
Devante Davis isn’t going to knock anybody’s socks off. He’s 6’3”, 220 pounds with long arms and big hands, which is all well and good, but ran a bit of a plodding 4.57 in the 40. As a three-year starter at UNLV, he posted 2,785 yards and 22 touchdowns, but only 599 and four during an injury-riddled senior season.
But again, we’re talking about a backup who may one day turn into a replacement-level starter, as Cooper did. Davis has enough natural ability that it’s worth seeing if this offense can tap into and realize his full potential.
All combine results are courtesy NFL.com.
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