It wasn’t exactly a blockbuster trade, but by by flipping picks with the Miami Dolphins and shedding more Chip Kelly players, the Philadelphia Eagles landed with a pick in the Top Eight of this year’s NFL Draft.
This new Eagles regime, led by freshly minted head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Howie Roseman, has been very active in the free agent market. That’s going to affect what they do in this draft, so if you come across a Mock somewhere with the Eagles taking a quarterback early, just disregard that draft all together.
To see every team’s Perfect Mock Draft, click here.
Round 1, Pick 8 – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
2015: 33 tackles, one for a loss, four interceptions, four passes defended, one forced fumble, 5-foot-10, 204 pounds
I’ve seen Ezekiel Elliott at this spot in more than one mock for the Eagles and that’s almost as ridiculous as a quarterback here. Philadelphia didn’t trade into the Top Eight to take a player they could have easily landed at No. 13. Yes, they traded away DeMarco Murray, but they still have Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles and can bring in 100 running backs as potential free agents. They’re going Hargeaves here, who is neck-and-neck with Jalen Ramsey as the best corner in the draft.
Round 3, Pick 77 – Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
2015: 36 tackles, seven for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four passes defended, 6-foot-6, 310 pounds
Jones played both tackle spots and some defensive end for the Bulldogs last season. He can plug up the middle and free up linebackers in Philadelphia’s defensive scheme. He’s also quick enough to disrupt plays in the backfield.
Round 3, Pick 79 – Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
2015: 74 catches, 1,061 yards, eight touchdowns, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds
Higgins is a steal in the third round after a great season with the Buffaloes. Higgins’ problem is it wasn’t nearly as good as his sophomore year where he caught 96 passes 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Round 4, Pick 100 – Deion Jones, OLB, LSU
2015: 88 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, three passes defended, one forced fumble, 6-foot-1, 222 pounds
Jones is small for an outside linebacker in the NFL, but with his 4.59 speed he could easily get converted to a safety or play the weakside as an almost permanent nickle linebacker like Mark Barron does for the Los Angeles Rams. Either way, there’s talent and value in picking Jones in the fourth.
Round 5, Pick 153 – Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss
2015: Started at left and right side on the offensive line, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds
This might be a little late for Philly to start looking at its offensive line, but the other players represent too much value to pass up. Cooper is a good prospect in the NFL and was all but unheralded across from Laremy Tunsil. He’ll likely make a better guard as a pro.
Round 5, Pick 164 – Evan Boehm, Center, Missouri
2015: Started a school-record 52 consecutive games, 6-foot-2, 302 pounds
Boehm is probably ranked too low on most lists, which makes him an easy pick to turn in for the fifth round. He’s got the Missouri lineman pedigree and the production against some of the best defensive lineman prospects in the country.
Round 6, Pick 188 – Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
2015: 68 rushes, 350 yards, three touchdowns, one receiving touchdown, 5-foot-11, 219 pounds
Marshall didn’t find his way on the field much for the Bulldogs in his tenure because of other backs like Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb which you’d think would knock him off some draft boards, then he unreeled a 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine and that all changed.
Round 7, Pick 236 – Joe Thuney, OG, NC State
2015: Started all 13 games as a senior, 6-foot-5, 304 pounds
Thuney is a natural guard, but is smart and talented enough to play every position along the offensive line, which the Wolfpack asked him to do multiple times in his career.
Round 7, Pick 254 – Cody Kessler, QB, USC
2015: 66.8 completion percentage, 3.536 yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions, four rushing touchdowns, 6-foot-1, 220 pounds
If Kessler was just a single inch taller he’d be no worse than a third rounder, but such is the importance of off-the-field measurables to NFL scouts. The Eagles have Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel under contract for tons of money already. Backing them up is Stephen Morris, who is basically just a body. Kessler could turn into something and Pederson is the guy that can make it happen. Kessler is my fifth-ranked quarterback and I think he’s better than both Jared Goff and Carson Wentz.
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