How far we've come since the opening of the mock draft season when Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly was the overwhelmingly most popular projection to the Eagles with the 15th pick. Now, with less than a week to go before we find out who is the real apple of the Eagles' eye, only one of the 16 mock drafts surveyed slots Kuechly to the Eagles. Instead, defensive tackle is the consensus position allocated to the Eagles, with 11 of the mock drafts slotting a first-round defensive tackle to Philadelphia. Three different defensive tackles are linked to the Eagles, but Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox wins the plurality vote with five mentions. Three mock drafters believe the Eagles will pick a defensive end rather than a defensive tackle, leaving only two non-defensive linemen among the 16 players listed below. Will one of these players find themselves in midnight green a week from today? Or will we see another wild card from Andy Reid, Howie Roseman and co.?
As always, click on the name of the mock drafter to read the entire projection.
Indicates a projected trade-up
Michael Brockers, DT, LSUMock Draft Tracker Site Selection Last Updated NFL.com (Charley Casserly) April 13 Comment:"In the NFC East, you need a physical run defender." Dontari Poe, DT, MemphisNFL.com (Albert Breer) April 9 Comment:"One scout told me you can assemble 40 or so plays on tape to make Poe look like a star. Philly hopes Jim Washburn can draw more out of him." Michael Brockers, DT, LSUNFL.com (Charles Davis) April 11 Comment:"The Eagles want to get stronger down the middle of their defense, and this redshirt sophomore from the bayou is only going to get better." Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.NFL.com (Steve Wyche) April 16 Comment:"Cox is flying up draft boards. Adding him to the DT rotation could give Philly a relentless interior front." Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.NFL.com (Chad Reuter) April 6 Comment:"Andy Reid likes using his first-round picks to bolster the defense, and Cox has a chance to be an effective pass rusher next to Cullen Jenkins, who turned 31 in January and received a restructured deal this offseason that may have lessened his grip on the team's cap." Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.) April 18 Comment: "Cox is the real deal. The Eagles can get to quarterbacks, but they were awful up the middle last year. Cox can be a big part of the solution." Mark Barron, S, AlabamaESPN (Todd McShay) April 11 Comment:"Barron fills one of Philadelphia's top three needs, and the Eagles have lacked a do-everything, physical presence at safety since Brian Dawkins left town." Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston CollegeCBS Sports (Rob Rang) April 16 Comment:"In proving his athleticism at the Combine (and his jaw-dropping consistency throughout his entire career), Kuechly is earning top 15 grades from some clubs as an outside linebacker, as well as for the inside position. The addition of Ryans and Kuechly would turn what was the Eagles' worst unit into one of the team's greatest strengths." Michael Brockers, DT, LSUCBS Sports (Dane Brugler) April 16 Comment:"It's no secret that Andy Reid prefers linemen in the first round, especially defensive linemen, making Michael Brockers a logical choice here. The raw athletic ability matched with his large, long frame will be enticing for a defense who can mold the 21-year old into something special." Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.Scouts Notebook (Matt Alkire)