The time has come. The Eagles are on the clock in our fan mock draft.
What direction will the Eagles turn? Let's take a position-by-position look while studying how other mock drafts have analyzed what the Eagles could do ...
Quarterback - Three quarterbacks are off the board in our fan mock draft. Most mock drafts are in line with three quarterbacks in the top 10 picks. However, no other quarterbacks are expected to go until possibly the 20s.
Running Back - The top running back in the draft, Alabama's Trent Richardson, went off the board early in our fan mock draft. There are no other running backs expected to be selected in the top 20 picks, according to most mock drafts.
Wide Receiver/Tight End - The top two wide receiver prospects - Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd - were both selected in the top 10 of our fan mock draft. The third receiver expected to be selected in most mock drafts is speedy wideout Kendall Wright out of Baylor. This is a deep wide receiver class with pass catchers of all sizes available throughout the draft. The tight end crop is not as strong, according to experts. Stanford's Coby Fleener offers size and athleticism and while No. 15 would be high according to mock draft, the Eagles could have a high grade on him.
Offensive Line - The Eagles invested a first-round pick last year in guard Danny Watkins. This offseason, the Eagles brought back their own free agents in Evan Mathis and King Dunlap. They also traded Winston Justice. But when Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles, the Eagles had to bring a former teammate of Peters in Buffalo in Demetress Bell to hold down the left tackle spot for 2012. The top two offensive tackles are off the board in our fan mock as well as the top guard. While a tackle could be in play, the mock drafts don't have any other tackles coming off the board until the 20s.
Defensive End - This is a position that the Eagles have utilized a lot of resources on in both the draft and free agency. In 2010, the Eagles traded up to get Brandon Graham in the first round and his career has been slowed down by a knee injury. Jason Babin was signed as a top free agent last offseason and he nearly led the league in sacks. Quinton Coples of North Carolina has been a popular top 10 pick by most mock drafts. For him to be available, could be an opportunity the Eagles can't pass on. A number of recent mock drafts have connected the Eagles with Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones, whom NFL Network's Mike Mayock said could be the best defensive player selected regardless of position three years from now.
Defensive Tackle - The most popular pick for the Eagles in mock drafts. However, the player the Eagles have been connected with the most - Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox - is not available. Memphis' Dontari Poe is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. He has rare size and athleticism, but wasn't as productive as his Combine numbers would suggest. LSU's Michael Brockers isn't the typical one-gap penetrator that would fit the Eagles scheme, but maybe the Eagles throw in another physical marvel and make it work.
Linebacker - Yes, the Eagles have not selected a linebacker in the first round since 1979. Could that change? The top 4-3 inside linebacker, Luke Kuechly, is not available in this fan mock draft for the Eagles. It would probably be too early for Alabama's Dont'a Hightower. Another 'Bama linebacker, Courtney Upshaw, would likely be a 4-3 defensive end for the Eagles. An intriguing possibility could be Boise State linebacker Shea McClellin, who has played with his hand down and knows how to get to the quarterback.
Cornerback - How does the trade of Asante Samuel change the Eagles' perspective? Should it, if the Eagles maintain a best player available philosophy? South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore is versatile in that he can play outside and in the slot and he's also got return experience. Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick has been noted to be more of a zone corner and the Eagles just shipped away a zone corner. Would Kirkpatrick fit?
Safety - With the Cowboys taking Mark Barron, the top safety in what has been considered by experts a thin class, right before the Eagles in our fan mock draft, it's unlikely to expect a pick to be used on this position.
Previous Picks
1. Indianapolis – QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Washington – QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
3. Minnesota -- OT Matt Kalil, USC
4. Cleveland - RB Trent Richardson, Cleveland
5. Tampa Bay - CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
6. St. Louis - WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.
7. Jacksonville - WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
8. Miami - QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
9. Carolina - DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
10. Buffalo - LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
11. Kansas City - G David DeCastro, Stanford
12. Seattle - DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
13. Arizona - OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
14. Dallas - S Mark Barron, Alabama
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