2014 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles Get Big Help
By Dave Searles
Sep 7, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (28) carries the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish nose tackle Louis Nix (1) and linebacker Jarrett Grace (59) defend in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 41-30. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Round One, Picks 17-32
17. Dallas Cowboys
Calvin Pryor
Safety, Louisville
18. New York Jets
Anthony Barr
Outside Linebacker, UCLA
19. Miami Dolphins
Cyrus Kouandjio
Offensive Tackle, Alabama
20. Arizona Cardinals
C.J. Mosley
Inside Linebacker, Arizona
21. Green Bay Packers
Dee Ford
Outside Linebacker, Auburn
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Louis Nix III
Nose Tackle, Notre Dame
It was extremely difficult to pass up on a talented defensive back like Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard at 22, but with the depth of the cornerback crop throughout the 2014 NFL Draft and both of the top safeties gone it makes sense to aim for the best remaining value. Notre Dame’s Louis Nix III is a giant human being (6’2, 346 pounds) that happens to be widely regarded as the top NT in the draft, filling a silver-tier need for the Eagles that would cost a fair amount to fill via free agency. Bennie Logan deserves a fair chance to continue developing after a promising 2013 that saw him grab a starting role, but he’s nearly forty pounds lighter than Nix. If Chip wants to beef up his defense as badly as it seems, it starts in the trenches.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Su’a-Filo
Guard, UCLA
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Ra’shede Hageman
Defensive Tackle, Minnesota
25. San Diego Chargers
Stephon Tuitt
Defensive End, Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
Darqueze Dennard
Cornerback, Michigan State
27. New Orleans Saints
Bradley Roby
Cornerback, Ohio State
28. Carolina Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin
Wide Receiver, Florida State
29. New England Patriots
Jace Amaro
Tight End, Texas Tech
30. San Francisco 49ers
Odell Beckham, Jr.
Wide Receiver, Louisiana State
31. Denver Broncos
Zack Martin
Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
32. Seattle Seahawks
Timmy Jernigan
Defensive Tackle, Florida State