2013 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles take a QB

Well, it looks like we've finally got something new to talk about! If you've been following our mock draft database, you've seen that almost every Eagles projection has been one of 2 or 3 players. So today, we've got something new.

DraftTek, who does their drafts with a computer model that just matches up team needs with a prospect big board, has the Eagles taking Geno Smith with their top pick.

New regimes generally want to win with players that they chose to be there. So, who does new Head Coach Chip Kelly want at QB? Someone on the roster already? Or a rookie? To answer that it's best to know what Kelly likes from his QBs. A good idea can be gathered from this Philadelphia Daily News article . Kelly focuses on a QB's ability to get rid of the ball quickly, have large hands, evade pressure when absolutely necessary, and to not be sacked. Kelly really focuses on that last point, which is bad news for the "current roster" QBs. In 3 years as the Eagles' starter, Vick was sacked 85 times in 1146 attempts, or on ~7.4% of dropbacks. Foles is sacked ~7.6% of the time (20 sacks in 265 attempts). In 2012, Eli Manning was the "cleanest" QB, getting sacked on just ~3.5% of pass plays (min. 400 attempts). Geno Smith may be what Kelly needs. In addition to superb size and arm strength, Smith has shown the ability to avoid sacks. Similar to Manning, Smith was sacked on just ~3.7% of dropbacks as a Senior.

This is actually a 2 round mock draft, so we get another Eagles pick, CB Jordan Poyer.

The Eagles' defense was abysmal this past season, finishing 15th in yards allowed/game and, worse, 29th in points allowed/game. Blame can be distributed at every level of the D but the secondary was particularly bad. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Brandon Boykin was Philly's best CB in 2012. Not Asomugha. Not DRC. The Eagles were not getting a very good "bang for their buck". Change is coming. Rodgers-Cromartie is a Free Agent and not expected back. The same could be true for Nnamdi. His brief tenure in Philadelphia has been a huge failure and could end with his release or a trade. So who mans the secondary? Boykin clearly will get a shot to start. Marsh is also a name to keep an eye on. After that? Anderson is a Free Agent like DRC. Same goes for Hughes. Not only does the team need talent, they also need depth. Poyer had a tremendous Senior season for Oregon State, registering 7 INTs, 7 passes defensed, 50 tackles (5 for loss), and 2 sacks.

Here are the full 2 rounds of DraftTek's mock. Check out their site for the full explanations.