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ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay each released a new 2014 NFL mock draft. It's their second edition this year. Here's who they had the Eagles taking. (In$ider required - Kiper Mock | McShay Mock)
Kiper had the Eagles taking wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in his first mock draft release. This time, the player has changed, but the position has not. In Kiper's latest mock the Eagles select LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Age: 21, HT: 6-0, WT: 193
Analysis: He could show off elite straight-line speed at the combine, but he's particularly explosive out of breaks, creating separation and making him dangerous with the ball in his hands. His speed also translates to the return game. Beckham could be a good fit in Philly not just because he's a good receiver for a team that could use help in that department, but because he's versatile, and can work in the slot or on the edge.
Adding a wide receiver would make sense depending on what happens in free agency. While defense may seem to be a bigger need for the Eagles, don't think Chip Kelly would pass on the opportunity to add another dynamic weapon to his offense.
McShay's pick for the Eagles is a player on the defensive side of the ball. Michigan State cornerback Darqueeze Dennard, who was recently projected to the Eagles in Dan Kadar's latest SB Nation mock, is the pick:
Age: 22, HT: 5-11, WT: 189
Analysis: Defense should be the Eagles' priority if the right player is available, in particular looking for an edge rusher and improving the athleticism and depth in the secondary. Dennard is a proven commodity with adequate size, good top-end speed and very good instincts and fluidity in coverage, and he was a legit shutdown corner against several opponents' top targets this season. Louisville's Pryor could also be worth a look here, and other cornerback options include Florida's Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson, Florida State's Lamarcus Joyner, Ohio State's Bradley Roby and TCU's Jason Verrett.
As Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com recently pointed out, it's hard to think these mocks will end up being very accurate. Still, it's interesting to see what outsiders view as positions of need for the Eagles. Help in the secondary and at wide receiver have been the most common picks so far.
