February 09, 2016
Mock draft season is well underway, and will continue to be for roughly the next three months. We'll eventually get sick of them, but for now, a mock draft roundup, with analysis!
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: They've already been busy extending several players since the season ended. QB Sam Bradford isn't one of them. Lynch is an intriguing prospect but could use the benefit of a redshirt year to adapt to the pro game. New coach Doug Pederson could help prepare Lynch in 2016 while Mark Sanchez holds down the fort.
Jimmy says: Well, even if you are on board with taking a step back to take two steps forward, as the above scenario suggests (I'm on that train, for the record), nobody wants to watch Mark Sanchez for a full season. The Eagles can save $3.5 million if they cut Sanchez. They should do that. He'll be gone. Otherwise, atta boy on the Paxton Lynch pick, Nate. I had Lynch in my Eagles-only mock draft 2.0.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
With the Eagles begin a new era this off-season and, assuming they move on from Sam Bradford, need a fresh face at quarterback. Lynch is very young in quarterback years, but he checks several boxes to develop into a quality NFL starter.
Jimmy says: Mmhmm.
13. Eagles: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: Philadelphia is looking for athleticism in their three-man front, and they have multiple free agent five-techniques on the market.
Jimmy says: Eh, their how many man front?
13. Philadelphia Eagles - Kansas State OL Cody Whitehair - Two straight drafts without an offensive lineman selected. Color me shocked that the Eagles struggled to run the ball or protect their stationary quarterback for stretches of the season. Matt Tobin was a liability as a pass blocker. Whitehair played tackle at Kansas State but I’ve seen many project him as a guard.
Jimmy says: I ate Saucy-Q's BBQ with Josh at the Senior Bowl, but that will not spare him from my harsh criticisms on being wrong about who the Eagles will draft! Just kidding. I actually like Whitehair quite a bit, and he was clearly the best offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl. He could step in from Day 1 and solidify one of the Eagles' two gaping holes at guard. Still, after the Eagles' season a year ago, to come away with a guard in round one would just be so bleh.
13. Eagles: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Spartans: At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, Conklin shows good mobility for his size, along with very consistent awareness, technique and effort. He plays with power and is a finisher in the run game. He's balanced enough to protect a quarterback's blind side. Even after signing Lane Johnson to an extension, the Eagles need to plan for the future at tackle with Jason Peters now 34.Jimmy says: Apologies, Todd. Hate it. The Eagles unquestionably need to add OL talent in the draft, and plenty of it, but I don't think Conklin is close to being one of the 13 best players in this draft. If Ronnie Stanley is there at 13, sure, go get him, but there will be far more talented players available here than Conklin, and it's a deep enough draft at OL in which you can get one later.
13. Eagles: Laquan Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: The Eagles have a series of mediocre receivers that failed to make the big play time and time again in 2015. They need a lead horse. Treadwell is a gamer with the size and ball skills to win most one on one situations.
Jimmy says: Treadwell is really good, and I'd be surprised if he's there at 13. I can't justify taking a receiver early again, unless it's Treadwell.
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
The Eagles will address the offensive line in round one, largely because of the aging Jason Peters and the lack of any real backup plan should Peters go down in 2016. Decker can play right away at offensive guard with the long-term plan of kicking outside to tackle, much like the Bears have done with Kyle Long. You can never have enough talent along the offensive line, and while Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson) will be tempting here, the best way to improve the play of your quarterback and running game is by adding more beef up front.
Jimmy says: Decker was the Eagles pick in my Eagles-only mock draft, version 1.0, so I see it, although I'd stay away from speaking in definitives, like "the Eagles will address the offensive line in round one."
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
With the signings of offensive tackle Lane Johnson and tight end Zach Ertz to new contracts, and close to one with defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, the Eagles are more so in win-now mode than build. Because of that, the Eagles might not want to use a first-round pick on a quarterback that needs developing. If not, a top-flight cornerback would be a good pickup. Byron Maxwell didn't have a good start to his Eagles career, and Hargreaves is a much better prospect than former second-round pick Eric Rowe.
Jimmy says: Yikes. I'm OK with the pick as an eventual replacement for Maxwell, but agree with none of the logic above.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
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