FanPost

Final 2015 Eagles 7 Round Mock 3.0

For my final Eagles 7 round mock draft of the 2015 draft season, I once again am not projecting trades. I am selecting at each of the Eagles selections, based upon whom I believe will fit the team.

Round #1: Jake Fisher (OL) Oregon

Fisher played tackle in college, but would start at guard immediately for the Birds. He has great lateral quickness and balance and drives defenders. His knowledge extends well over the initial contact, and displays the ability to move to the second level opening up running lanes. Fisher takes great angles and understands his position and assignments at an above average rate. He also has the ability to shift over to the tackle position, when Lane Johnson takes over for Jason Peters down the road. Fisher is a high energy player, who is very familiar with the offensive schemes of Chip Kelly.

Round #2: Phillip Dorsett (WR) Miami

Dorsett is the type of receiver that can take the top off any defense, which will help open holes in the running game. He has elite explosiveness with, high end, top speed. He can burn man to man coverage, and once the ball is in his hands can make big plays happen. Not only can Dorsett take the top off a defense, but his route running and speed cause problems for zone defenses as well. Dorsett is versatile enough to play inside and outside, an intriguing skill for Coach Kelly, who likes to find the mismatches.

Round #3: Ali Marpet (OL) Hobart & William Smith

Marpet possesses the size and speed to start at guard a zone blocking scheme in the NFL. He is quick off of the ball and excels in controlling his man. His strength is evident in his ability to drive defenders backwards, and get up to the second level. Marpet is also a high character individual. Due to his playing at a smaller DIII school, Marpet will not be drafted as high as his talent deserves. I would not be opposed to selecting Marpet with a 2nd round pick.

Round #4: Senquez Golson (DB) Mississippi

One of the defensive backs on the current roster is moving to the outside corner position (Thurmond, Boykin*, Carroll). The need for depth in the slot will be something the Eagles prepare for. Insert Senquez Golson, an underrated defensive back that could potentially play cornerback or safety. Golson has an eye for the ball and attacks it in the air. He can be trusted in coverage, and has above average hands for a defensive back. His versatility will stand out to defensive coordinators who like to more their defensive backs around the field. While being considered undersized (5’9") to play outside in this scheme, Golson would be an ideal slot/nickel corner. He is also a high character individual. *It should be noted that Brandon Boykin has been the subject to trade speculation, which would justify this pick even more.

Round #5: Alani Fua (OLB) BYU

Fua is an incredibly versatile athlete. He can rush the passer from multiple spots on the field, and can he trusted in coverage assignments. He frequently covered slot receivers in the college ranks in both man-to-man and zone coverage. Fua has great acceleration to the ball, and is a very consistent tackler. Many list him as a hybrid player, who under a creative defensive coordinator could be utilized all over the field. He could also see time at the safety position in some defensive schemes.

Round #5: Craig Mager (CB) Texas State

Mager was a four year starter at Texas State. He is a very strong, physical cover corner, who has quick hips and direction change ability. He excels at staying with receivers and preventing separation. Mager has great closing ability and has shown excellent timing at attacking balls in the air. He can also return punts. Mager was one of the shining stars at the East-West Shrine Game, and performed well at the combine. Although (to my knowledge) he has not met with the Eagles, that shouldn’t stop the Birds from giving him a look in the 5th round.

Round #6: Taiwan Jones (ILB) Michigan State

Jones is an explosive downhill tackling machine. At inside linebacker, Jones excels at firing the gap while also taking on linemen at the second level. Although, he would not be the ideal option in pass coverage (Came off the field in passing situations in college). Jones would provide linebacker depth and produce as a special teamer. He also falls under the high character individual description.

Round #7: RJ Harris (WR) New Hampshire

Harris possess above average skills down the field. He has great ball tracking ability, and picks the ball out of the air. Harris has the ability to create space while moving down the field. Harris, however, is not just a deep threat he does possess the shiftiness to make people miss in space. His short area quickness accumulates yards after the catch, and would also be a great red-zone target on the outside. Harris also possesses special teams experience, and comes with high praise from his former coaching staff; a staff that Coach Chip Kelly was once a part of. Harris is worth a 7th round flyer here, as he has the talent and potential to develop into a productive target for the Birds.

Conclusion:

Please take a second to listen before you criticize to harshly.

In the 1st round, yes, I did select Jake Fisher. I do not like mocking trades/ trading back scenarios, because often times they are unfounded and do not make a lot of sense with the teams projected to trade up. Later on, I will address why I am not selecting the popular Byron Jones. He may or may not even be available at pick 20 anyway.

I love Jake Fisher in the first round, because he solidifies our line for the foreseeable future. He is a player that can start as a rookie with success, having the advantage of playing in a similar scheme for so many years. As I jump ahead to my 3rd round selection of Ali Marpet, I tie the 1st round and 3rd round selections together. Evan Mathis is not long for the Eagles. He is not in the long term plans, and it is evident to anyone who follows the team. By selecting Fisher and Marpet our offensive line would look like this:

Peters-Marpet-Kelce-Fisher-Johnson.

Forgive me, but that is one hell of an offensive line. Speed and athleticism in the run game, with plenty of strength and pass protection in the passing game. The benefits to the zone run game alone justify my position.

In the 2nd round, I did not select the popular choices of Devin Smith or Nelson Agholor. Simply because in Agholor case, I feel he is limited as a pure slot receiver. Agholor will not take the top off of defenses. I do admit Agholor is a great player and has the potential to find success, but on this team I prefer to have the over the top threat Dorsett carries. Which brings me to Devin Smith, I have no qualms with Devin Smith, as he has elite pull away speed and can bring special teams prowess as a gunner. While I selected Dorsett, I would not be upset with Smith as the selection. For me, it came down to Dorsett’s ability to run a very strong route tree, and play in multiple positions. Other than that, I would be ok with Smith being the pick, should Dorsett be off the board. The need for a deep threat is there for this team.

My 4th round selection is Senquez Golson, whom a lot of fans overlook, but what you should keep in mind is he has the ability to play multiple positions. Golson could take over the slot corner position, or play safety. With Carroll, Boykin, and Thurmond, competing for the outside corner position, Golson could steal the slot position away making one of the three previously mentioned defensive backs expendable. In this case, it seems like Boykin is the most likely to be traded. With the second 5th round pick I’ve selected Craig Mager out of Texas State. You may notice a theme with the two defensive backs I’ve selected. Both are athletic, ball hawking, cover corners with the ability to play safety. The Eagles seem to be willing to enter the year with a competition between Jaylen Watkins and Earl Wolff for the safety spot along side Malcolm Jenkins. Should neither of those two work out, the Eagles would still have options in Mager and Golson. It’s been a long time since the Eagles have had a plethora of talent and depth at the defensive back position.

The first 5th Round selection went to Alani Fau from BYU, a phenomenal cover linebacker. While he would not start immediately, he would get playing time, and potentially take a spot in the future. His versatility to play outside linebacker and potentially safety should be intriguing. Having multiple players on the field that can play multiple positions is incredibly valuable. In the 5th round, a talent like Fau would be a steal. The 6th round selection of Taiwan Jones is all about adding a big hitting inside linebacker to provide depth. Jones is a run stuffing, tackling machine whom could spell the inside linebackers on running downs.

2- OL

2- WR

2-LB

2-DB


Via NoHuddle207.com