Four Round Eagles Mock Draft

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. The pass was intercepted by Alabama defensive back Ha

With the NFL draft rapidly approaching, its time to do another Eagles mock draft. The Eagles filled a lot of holes through free agency, especially on defense, and by doing so, the Eagles do not need to draft an particular position and can really approach the draft with the “take the best player available” strategy. This year there isn’t a clear cut favorites to go in the top-5 picks, which makes predicting what the Eagles are going to do much harder, but now that teams are finishing up in free agency and pro days are finishing up, it is becoming more and more clear which players teams are targeting. With that being said, their will be a few very talented player on the board when the Eagles select and it will be up to Chip kelly and Howie Roseman to decide which of the available players can come in an help the Eagles the most. But until April 25, its all speculation.

And with the 4th pick in the NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select…

Dee Milliner, Cornerback, Alabama: The Eagles rebuilt their secondary with size and speed this off season and Dee Milliner fits that mold. Milliner measures in at 6’0″ and ran a dazzling time of 4.37 at the combine. Milliner is far and away the best cornerback in the draft and he also fits what Chip kelly is trying to instill into the Eagles defense. Milliner lays physical, he has good size for the cornerback position, and he has playmaking ability. Even though the Eagles brought in Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, Milliner would probably come in an start, possibly as the number one corner, along side Cary Williams, with Fletcher playing in sub packages and in the slot. Milliner can come to Philadelphia and make an instant impact on the Eagles defense.

Round 2: Johnathan Hankins, Defensive Tackle, Ohio St.: The secrets out, the Eagles are switching to a 3-4 defense. The Eagles signed Isaac Sopoaga, the starting nose tackle from San Fransisco, presumably to be the starting nose tackle next year, a leader in the locker room, but also to help bridge the Eagles into the 3-4 and allow them to draft a big, strong nose tackle. Hankins is 6’3″, 320 lbs and is very good against the run. Hankins has a very strong upper body which allows him to over power offensive line man in the run game, but he lacks the explosion to be a tagged a “pass rusher”, but he has the ability to collapse the pocket. Hankins would probably rotate in with Sopoaga and eventually take over the starting role in the future.

Round 3: Shawn Williams, Safety, University of Georgia: In my previous Eagles mock draft, I had the Eagles taking Shawn Williams in the 3rd round and I’m sticking with that pick. The Eagles added two safeties in free agency, Patrick Chung  and Kenny Phillips, but both have question marks going into the season. Shawn Williams can come in and compete for a starting job and if he doesn’t get it, he can develop through good coaching and he gives the Eagles much needed depth at the safety position. Plus Kenny Phillips is on a one year deal and he could leave next year, leaving a hole at safety again. This is one of the best safety class in a while and a good opportunity for the Eagles to add a strong player to their secondary.

Round 4: Matt Scott, Quarterback, Arizona: Matt Scott is pretty much unknown to the average NFL fan, but the people who do know who Matt Scott is know that he is a perfect fit in Chip Kelly’s scheme. Scott ran a read option offense in Arizona and has great arm talent. He has average size for the position, measuring in at 6’2″, but he has a very above average arm. Scott showed great touch in the pass game, but also the ability to throw the ball down field with relative ease. Scott’s main problem is that he had quiet a few of his throws batted down and that got him into trouble at times. I think Scott could fit perfectly into Chip Kelly’s offense and be a strong backup to Michael Vick.