2016 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles Go Defensive
By Jesse Shuter
![Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/121b84a8eb2d5223d9ec48cc398429fcede16eccb267a1f3d386e718a90cacea.jpg)
8) Philadelphia Eagles (From Miami Dolphins): Vernon Hargreaves CB, Florida
We have made it to the Eagles selection and it is a tough decision. On the one hand, Ronnie Stanley is still sitting there and we need a replacement for Jason Peters. However, we signed two guards making offensive a less immediate need and Stanley’s stock has been dropping.
Then there is Ezekiel Elliot. Elliot would be a great pick here as a likely top five talent in this draft and a future workhorse pro bowler. However, the Eagles pass on Elliot here to build an elite defense.
I am not a big fan of Vernon Hargreaves, he gets beat way to often to warrant a pick this high and I would much rather see them get Elliot. However, the secondary has been a problem for the Eagles for years and they still lack an elite cornerback to cover wide receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Dez Bryant in their division.
Then there is quarterback. It is clear that the Eagles want a quarterback, but in this scenario Wentz and Goff are gone. While they could make a trade, in the draft they cannot which leave Paxton Lynch as the only round one possibility. Lynch could actually be a target for the Eagles, but it would be a waste at eight they would have to trade down.
NFL Comparison: Jason Verrett