January 09, 2017
About a month ago, with the Philadelphia Eagles' season already cooked, we rounded up the first wave of mock drafts, even before the draft order was set. Now that we know exactly (well, almost exactly) where the Birds will be picking, let's take a look at who the outsiders see the Eagles taking.
Fire up your DeSean Jackson comps. Ross is the best blazer in this draft, and he could add a shot of badly needed playmaking for Carson Wentz and the Eagles’ offense. Drops also were a huge problem for Philly, and Ross has better hands than Will Fuller, who was drafted in this range a year ago. Size is a concern, but Ross could add a lot.
#JimmyNote: Personally, I like Ross a lot as a prospect, and Eric is right that he'd be a good fit. However, I don't think he'll be the best player available when the Eagles are picking at 14/15. Also, this may be a player that makes much less sense if indeed the Eagles find a speedster in free agency, such as DeSean (as Eric noted above) or Kenny Stills.
From the wideout factory that has produced DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant, this might be the Tigers’ most polished wide receiver yet. The Eagles won’t have any hesitations snatching up a star player to fill their biggest need. Carson Wentz, meet your new best friend—who will rarely drop your passes.
#JimmyNote: Unlike Ross above, no matter what happens in free agency, if Williams is sitting there at 14/15, just take him. I do think he'll be gone by then though.
Cornerback? Sure. Wide receiver? Of course. Offensive tackle? Maybe. The Eagles have ample pressing needs, as of Jan. 3. But running back should be on that list, too. And here, they get what may be the best skill-position player in this class. Cook’s Orange Bowl provided a perfect Cliff’s Notes on his game: He’ll take a few negative plays, but he can explode through the smallest of holes for game-changing gains, be it via run or pass.
#JimmyNote: This is a very interesting scenario for the Eagles. At some point, I'll probably be doing a more in-depth piece on whether or not Cook is worth taking at 14/15th overall.
Despite plenty of draft picks invested in the position, the Eagles lack a go-to target in the passing game to aid the development of Carson Wentz. Starring in the MAC rather than a Power 5 conference, Davis does not earn the attention he deserves but he's a polished route-runner with an ideal combination of size (6-3, 213) with 4.4 speed.
#JimmyNote: I think Davis is right there with Williams, talent-wise. I'm also less concerned about Davis coming from the MAC, as the MAC has produced receivers such as Antonio Brown (Central Michigan), Julian Edelman (Kent State), Randy Moss (Marshall, then in the MAC), Greg Jennings (Central Michigan), Brandon Marshall (Central Florida, then in the MAC), Andrew Hawkins (Toledo), and Lance Moore (Toledo).
The Eagles are desperate for help at cornerback and there should be several options for the franchise in the mid-first round. Humphrey has given up several big plays this season, but NFL coaches will be salivating at his size and skill-set.
#JimmyNote: The Eagles do indeed desperately need help at corner. I do wonder though, in a draft loaded with quality corner talent, if I'd be inclined to take another position in round one and grab a similarly skilled corner in round two.
If Mike Williams is on the board here, I think he’s the pick; I also think they’ll give Corey Davis a long look. Philadelphia needs a top shelf cornerback to help that terrible secondary. Jones wasn’t targeted once by Alabama in the National semifinal; he was only targeted nine times in the first six games.
#JimmyNote: Personally, I like Jones better than Humphrey, and I think Jim Schwartz will love Jones' competitiveness.
The Eagles have their quarterback. Now they need to get him better targets -- Jordan Matthews has been inconsistent, and Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham have been disappointing. Corey Davis probably is the most complete wide receiver in the entire draft. The Western Michigan star has the size at 6-3 and 213 pounds, which he uses to his advantage in 50-50 situations. He's a very crisp route-runner for someone of his size and can make defenders miss in the open field. Davis has lined up outside and in the slot, giving him extra versatility. He's a legitimate No. 1 option for an Eagles team desperately in need of one.
#JimmyNote: "Disappointing" is the kindest way possible to describe the play of Nelson Agholor.
A coin toss held at the 2017 NFL Combine will determine who will pick first between the Eagles and Colts. Edholm, Rang, Brugler, McIntyre, and Klopsis all think the coin toss will go the Colts' way, while only Kaplan and Burke see it going the Eagles' way.
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