First and second-round NFL Draft prospects Eagles should steer clear of

Nolan Smith continues to receive first-round NFL Draft grades, and there are times when it’s hard to justify that by watching the tape.

There are arguments stating that Nolan Smith lost himself a lot of money this past season. Some still see him as a first-round talent, and they give him first-round grades. Others argue that he never played like a future first-rounder at Georgia. They say he benefited by having great teammates around him and that he’s more of a second-rounder that helped himself out with a good showing at the most recent NFL Scouting Combine. What might that means for his NFL Draft status?

Smith’s name hasn’t been connected to the Eagles often. The tenth-overall selection is too early to take him. When Philly is on the clock with the 30th-overall selection, we’ve heard arguments stating that he’d be off of the board and a reach. Those calling him a reach say he’d be taken early on Day 2. That rules out the possibility of him being on the board at the 62nd-overall selection.

Smith lands on our list for one very basic reason. For months, we have been talking about EDGE prospects, and if the Birds are on the clock at ten or 30 and looking at a pass rusher, they’ll have better options than Nolan Smith.

We’d rather not see a boom-or-bust prospect taken in Round 1 or Round 2. Fingers are crossed for the selection of a trio of sure things. That would turn a solid offseason so far into one that sends the Eagles fan base and Philly media into a frenzy.