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ESPN's Scouts Inc. 1st Mock Draft

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  • #16
    Originally posted by Jukin View Post
    I hope this is NOT the way it plays out. It would mean we'd still be left without any improvement at safety!
    Lawlor: Safeties improving?
    http://igglesblitz.com/philadelphia-.../safety-dance/

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    • #17
      Who could help the Eagles?



      The Philadelphia Eagles' self-proclaimed "dream team" hasn't lived up to the hype that followed an offseason spending spree, and it's hard to believe a team with such talent would be picking 11th if the NFL draft were held today.

      Sure, the Eagles are still mathematically alive for the playoffs and could conceivably pick much later than No. 11, but, either way, the draft could help them turn things around in 2012.

      A lot can change between now and the draft in late April, but here's a quick assessment of Philadelphia's current needs and some 2012 prospects who might be good fits given where things stand at this point.


      Inside linebacker
      My colleague Todd McShay has the Eagles taking Boston College MLB Luke Kuechly* (Scouts Inc. grade: 93) with the No. 11 pick in his initial 2012 mock draft.

      Kuechly's ability to locate the ball, get off blocks and finish the play with sound tackling would strengthen a mediocre Eagles run defense, and, although he has limitations in man coverage, he has shown good awareness and has flashed the ability to make plays in underneath zone coverage.

      McShay also points out that Philadelphia hasn't used a first-round pick on a linebacker under current coach Andy Reid, however, so the Eagles could wait to fill this need. Here are three possibilities if tradition holds up:

      Audie Cole, NC State (60)
      Cole doesn't anchor as well as Kuechly, but, at 6-4 and 243 pounds, he has the frame to improve in that area, and he flashes ability to stay off blocks. Add in above-average instincts and Cole projects as a late-fourth- or early-fifth-round pick.

      Emmanuel Acho, Texas (53)
      Although he could shed blocks quicker, Acho is strong for his size (6-2, 237) and can hold his own in a phone booth. He also has good range, but he's not a great athlete and will need to be protected in coverage.

      Jerry Franklin, Arkansas (50)
      The most consistent tackler on this list, Franklin wraps up and drives through the ball carrier. He also has shown the ability to stack and shed blockers. The reason he doesn't grade out as highly as the other two is a lack of ideal instincts.

      Wide receiver
      Mercurial Philadelphia WR DeSean Jackson will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and, although Jackson is a big play waiting to happen, dropped passes, concussions and concerns about his attitude could sway the Eagles to go in another direction.

      Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon* (94) might not be available when the Eagles pick, and he's not a burner like Jackson. On the other hand, Blackmon's ability to push for immediate playing time and come down with 50/50 balls downfield makes him an option if he slides to the Eagles.

      Philadelphia also could put the franchise tag Jackson and draft a possible insurance policy in case things don't work out in the long term, so here are three possibilities to consider in that scenario.

      Kendall Wright, Baylor (87)
      Wright has enjoyed a breakout senior season and has made great strides, especially with his hands. He has caught the ball more consistently, has tracked it better and flashes the ability to make highlight-reel catches. Plus, he is a threat after the catch, so the Eagles would be lucky to land him in the second round.

      T.J. Graham, NC State (67)
      Graham could run crisper routes and read defenses better, but he's capable of improving in both areas and, as the saying goes, you can't coach speed. Graham is fast enough to take the top off coverage and go the distance when he gets a seam after the catch, plus, he provides big-play potential as a punt returner.

      Joe Adams, Arkansas (60)
      At 5-11 and 177 pounds, Adams is built like Jackson and shares some durability concerns, However, Adams could prove to be a steal late in the fourth round or early in the fifth. He has the initial burst, the wiggle and the top-end speed to make plays working out of the slot, and he's an even more dangerous punt return man than Graham.

      Strong safety
      Current Eagles SS Kurt Coleman has just average size and is best-suited to be a No. 3 safety who contributes as much on special teams as he does on defense. Alabama's Mark Barron (93) is the top safety on our board and would be a nice upgrade.

      Barron (6-1, 223) is strong against the run and fluid enough to stay with most tight ends in man coverage. He's intriguing because he should be available in the middle of the first round and would be a good fit for defensive coordinator Juan Castillo's scheme, which asks the safeties to play a big role in run support.

      However, the Eagles haven't picked a safety in the first round under Reid, either, and there are some intriguing possibilities further down the road.

      T.J. McDonald*, USC (77)
      McDonald committed three personal fouls in the Arizona State game, and the Pac-12 suspended him for a half after a hit on Stanford WR Chris Owusu, so, with the NFL placing such a high premium on player safety, McDonald has to become a more fundamentally sound tackler. He also needs to take better angles at times, but he's a big hitter capable of bolstering the run defense and can make plays in coverage.

      Harrison Smith, Notre Dame (70)
      At 6-2 and 213 pounds, Smith is an effective tackler who is big enough to line up in the box. He doesn't have the speed or agility teams covet at safety, but he isn't a below-average athlete, either. He's fluid enough to stay with most tight ends and has enough range to cover the deep half.

      George Iloka, Boise State (6
      Iloka would struggle if asked to match up with slot receivers in man coverage, and, like McDonald, will miss the occasional hit trying to deliver a knockout blow. However, 6-3 and 216-pound Iloka has the long arms to keep blockers off of his frame and the strength to hold his own when asked to line up at linebacker depth in run support.

      *non-senior

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      • #18
        Thanks, BBF! Kendall Wright intrigues me, and I am glad that they mentioned him here. I didn't know much about him other than the fact that he was RGIII's #1 WR. As for Barron, would the Eagles use a first-rd pick on a safety after using two second-rd picks on safeties? Are they gonna trade one? Wouldn't mind if he was picked, but I think it's implausible.
        Last edited by ThoughtProcess; 12-27-2011, 11:55 PM.

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