Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs with the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide safety Landon Collins (26) in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Combine tells the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans a lot of different things.

For example, it tells us Washington outside linebacker Shaq Thompson might actually be a strong safety at the NFL level.

Thompson was the flavor of the week recently, with a lot of buzz on him going to the Eagles. As detailed last week, Thompson doesn’t appear to have a position home, having played multiple spots in college. Through the Combine, the player originally thought to become an outside linebacker is now supposedly better suited to play safety.

Thompson’s lack of definitive position skills didn’t affect his voting stock last week, as he won Mock Draft Roundup 2.0. He joins Michigan State corner Trae Waynes as a qualifier for the Mock Draft Playoffs down the road.

More from Eagles Draft

Meanwhile, we trudge along with four more potential future first-round Birds.

Landon Collins, safety, Alabama

ESPN’s Todd McShay sees the Eagles going safety in the first round with Collins, a junior from Alabama. Per McSchay:

"“He’s the No. 15 overall prospect on our board, has good range in coverage and is a playmaker when the ball is in the air. But where he excels most is in run support, which is a good fit in the NFC East, especially versus the Cowboys.”"

ESPN actually has him the No. 13 overall prospect currently, and top safety available, but his profile is underwhelming. Good kid, good work ethic, etc., but grades “average” in instincts and recognition, with the following quote: “Is still learning. Appears to have good football intelligence but is also inexperienced and can look a bit lost. Can be a quarter-count late with some reads as well.”

His cover skills and run support skills are graded “above average” but there’s nothing particularly amazing in this breakdown.

Taking a look at some highlights reveals a different story. Collins sure looks like a player, breaking on balls, throwing his body around and the play he makes on the Auburn runner around 44 seconds or so, I mean, that’s what the Philadelphia Eagles have been lacking in the defensive backfield since the days of Brian Dawkins. And check out the hit around 1:15. Oh my.

I really, really like this kid.

Malcom Brown, defensive tackle, Texas

I give CBSSports.com’s Pat Kirwin credit for going outside the box with this one. I know of no one who has said the Eagles need help on their defensive line.

Kirwin touts Brown with the note, “Big, athletic down linemen are hard to find, and Brown has pass-rushing skills.”

And a note – Texas had a running back named Malcolm Brown, but this guy is Malcom Brown, without the second “L,” because extra “Ls” are for losers or something.

Our Brown doesn’t have an ESPN draft profile yet, but CBS has him as the 20th-best player in the entire draft.

Reports say he gets off the ball well, is physical and does a nice job getting his hands up into passing lanes. He seems to be a guy who could play a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment with equal success, although there is some concern about his run-stopping ability at the NFL level.

Check out the highlights here. Certainly has some talent and makes some nice plays against the run. A lot of the sacks look more like coverage plays, rather than his sheer strength.

A good player, no doubt, but his selection would shock me. This just isn’t a hole the Eagles have right now.

Ereck Flowers, offensive tackle, Miami

This is a wild card selection for the week, based upon Mel Kiper Jr.’s “Big Board” rankings. He has Flowers at No. 18 overall, and while no one is talking about the Eagles drafting an offensive lineman, we should be.

Jason Peters is 33 years old. Evan Mathis is 33 years old. Todd Herremans is 32 and has shown signs of wear and tear.

Last season when the Eagles lost a couple of offensive linemen, the lack of quality depth was apparent. This was a contributing factor in Nick Foles‘ regression and subsequent injury.

Eventually, new blood must fill in the offensive line and until that day you at least need quality depth. Enter Flowers, who Kiper says:

"“Flowers offers ideal measurables for a tackle and plays with a good base and imposing width, making him tough to get around if you haven’t simply beaten him with speed. I think he’s pretty solid in the run game, where his athleticism shows up as he makes his initial block and looks to get into the second level and line somebody up. Like a lot of tackles coming into the NFL, the concern is speed rushers who can rip and get under his arms will expose him, but the tools are there to be good.”"

Everything about this kid looks good. Check out the video and that much is confirmed.

I doubt the Eagles go offensive line in the first round, but it wouldn’t shock me if they grab some guys in the second and third. Last season showed that they have serious depth needs in this area.

So, who do you like?

Home/Eagles Draft