Who Do The Fans Want The Eagles To Draft?

Sep 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) warms up prior to a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon State won 51-48 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2014 NFL Draft quickly approaching, mock drafts and speculation are coming out of the woodwork. When the Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock with the 22nd pick in this years draft, who do you think they should select? Eagles fans are very hard to please, the fans want a player that can come in and make a difference for years to come. There are some interesting prospects that have been reportedly linked to the team. All we can do now is wait and see.

The wide receiver position is a definite need. Since former Eagles wide out, DeSean Jackson, was booted, many people mock the Eagles selecting one in the first round. Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman says the “best available” is the drafting system the team uses. The receiver position is so talented that it could very well be the best available position when the team is on the clock in the first round. Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks, USC’s Marqise Lee, LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr., and Indiana’s Cody Latimer are real possibilities in the first round. Cooks is the smallest of the bunch, but the most explosive, and seems to be the popular pick in mock drafts to the Eagles. Lee is the NFL ready player and had a great college career, but battled injuries this past year. Beckham Jr. has phenomenal route running skills and will contribute on special teams. Cody Latimer, who has seen his stock sky rocket, has the size and hands that can fit nicely in the Eagles system. This years receiver class is diverse and brings multiple talents that can help the Philadelphia Eagles win games.

Some fans and experts still debate the Eagles need to go defense in the first round rather than going offense. The Eagles defense was poor at times, especially at the beginning of the season last year. The defense showed incremental improvement and looked serviceable when the season was over. The Eagles added pieces in free agency, but still need a pass rushing outside linebacker and depth along the secondary. The problem is the lack of “elite” talent that will be left by the time the Eagles are selecting. Of course, players fall, but the way it looks, the “best player available” will not be a defensive player. Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller has become an increasingly common pick to be selected by the team. Fuller is long and rangy that can play anywhere on the field. He is what the NFL has been looking for in the corner position. Fuller does everything well, but nothing great. As far as pass rushers are concerned, this draft will be extremely thin by the time the it’s the team’s turn to select a player. All the top pass rushers might be gone as early as the 10th pick. The Eagles can maybe reach for someone like Auburn’s Dee Ford, but that goes against the philosophy the Eagles have been preaching. The team can very well select defense in the first round.

There’s no doubt the team has options, and the fans have their own opinion on players. Fans just want to see the team win, but around this time, every year, we peak into the future at what might be. When the Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock ready to pick, who do you want wearing midnight green?