Mock Draft Roundup: Eagles Trade Up For Marcus Mariota

Sep 21, 2013; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies cornerback Byron Jones (16) reacts after intercepting a pass intended for Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) in the second quarter at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Two-round NFL mock draft: Trade speculation heats up in top 10 picks – Eric Edholm of Yahoo.com

Here’s a mock draft from Eric Edholm of Yahoo.com that goes two rounds deep. He has the Eagles making two picks and I’m surprisingly a big fan of both. In the first round, he has the birds selecting Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones. A freakish athlete with experience at safety as well, Jones fits everything the Eagles look for. He has the size, athleticism and character that head coach Chip Kelly loves and there’s a strong chance he’ll be on a plane to Philadelphia following the first day of the draft.

In the second round, he has the Eagles getting one of the top deep threats in the draft, Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith. If there’s one thing the team severely missed last season, it was DeSean Jackson‘s speed to take the top off of a defense. Smith would provide that as he’s one of the better prospects in this year’s class at going deep and tracking the ball well. He’s drawn comparison’s to 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith from ESPN’s Todd McShay. Here’s how Edholm broke down both picks for Philadelphia:

"20. Philadelphia Eagles — Connecticut CB-S Byron Jones Chip Kelly is all about long, explosive athletes and the 6-foot-1, 199-pound (and 32-inch-armed) Jones is a perfect example of what he’s looking for, and at a need position to boot. Jones is instinctive — one scout we talked to compared him to Devin McCourty coming out of Rutgers — with positional flexibility at safety, which he played earlier in his career, and corner. If you watch Jones play in 2013 before a season-ending shoulder injury in 2014, it’s clear he has big-time ability. 52. Philadelphia Eagles — Ohio State WR Devin Smith A good fit for what the Eagles need on offense as an explosive burner and on special teams as a gunner."

Next: ESPN.com: Eagles select L. Collins, T. Lockett and T. Sambrailo