clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2014 NFL Mock Draft Eagles Roundup: Brandin Cooks, Marqise Lee Lead the Way

Check out our 2014 Eagles mock draft central for more opinions on who could be the #22 pick in May.

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL Draft is officially less than a month away. Mock draft season is in full gear and there's no shortage of opinion as to who the Eagles will be taking with the No. 22 overall pick. So with that said, let's take a look at what the experts are saying.

Bleeding Green Nation Mike Kaye - Dee Ford, OLB/DE, Auburn

The Eagles would like to trade back and get a wide receiver along with some more picks, but they are happy with their new pass rusher, who could develop into a 10-12 sacks per year player.

SB Nation Mocking the Draft Dan Kadar - Marqise Lee, WR, USC

With Cooks off the board, the Eagles would have to go after Lee if they want a wide receiver. After him there is a drop off at the position. Lee is a natural playmaker and would be an adequate replacement for DeSean Jackson.

Jimmy Kempski Philly.com - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

Cooks does so many things well. He's outstanding at making plays after the catch, he makes tough catches in traffic, he's a good route runner, has great hands, and could potentially be used as a punt returner at the next level.

Tommy Lawlor PhiladelphiaEagles.com - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

It might be wishful thinking for Fuller to make it to the 22nd pick. There are reports that some teams have him as their top rated corner. Fuller would be an excellent addition for the Eagles. He can press or play off. He is very instinctive and does a great job of shadowing receivers all over the field. Fuller has good body control, which allows him to break up passes without making contact and drawing flags. He broke up 10 passes in 2013.

ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. - Marqise Lee, WR, USC

If Lee seems like an obvious pick for Kelly, a talented player he's faced before at a need position, just remember I'm doing the picking here. But I still like the fit. Lee dealt with a knee injury that slowed him down and concentration issues that caused some drops in an underwhelming junior year, but he's got piles of great tape, is a good route-runner and moves easily and swiftly in and out of his breaks.

Matt Smith NFL.com - Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Chip Kelly’s flirtation with Pac-12 players continues. While he was HC at Oregon, Lee only stuck him for 344 yards and 3 TDs in two contests.

CBS Sports Rob Rang - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Chip Kelly is, of course, most known for offense but during his tenure at Oregon, his Ducks featured terrific cornerback play, as well. The Eagles took a significant step in improving upon their 30th ranked pass defense by landing former New Orleans Saints' safety Malcolm Jenkins but more help is needed. Roby struggles a bit with consistency but the tools are there to warrant top 20 consideration.

CBS Sports Dane Brugler - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Chip Kelly, who watched Roby in person at Ohio State's pro day last week, wants to get faster and tougher on defense and the former Buckeyes' cornerback will help accomplish that with his natural speed and aggressive mentality.

CBS Sports Pete Prisco - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

With DeSean Jackson gone, they have to get somebody to play outside.

CBS Sports Pat Kirwan - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

Gone is DeSean Jackson and in is a much cheaper replacement. Cooks can fly and he had 128 receptions last year. There will be a cry for defensive players at this spot and a case could be made for any of the remaining defensive guys left in the round

CBS Sports Will Brinson - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

With the Eagles releasing DeSean Jackson (the Redskins, without a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, signed him on Wednesday), they need some speed at wideout. Though Chip Kelly could go safety (Jimmie Ward?) here, it makes a lot of sense to grab the speedy Cooks who's made a point of saying what a good person he is, on and off the field.

Doug Farrar SI.com - Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA

Chip Kelly’s Eagles have already let DeSean Jackson walk, and guard Evan Mathis, one of the NFL’s best at his position, might be next — according to several rumors — because he wants a new contract. If Mathis is indeed on his way out, there’s no better option in the draft than Su’a-Filo, one of the most physically imposing and nasty guards I’ve seen in the last decade. An outstanding technician, Su’a-Filo gets under the pads of defenders and rocks them back on a regular basis, frequently adding hits at the whistle to emphasize his point. He has the movement skills to play in any system, and the intelligence to pull it off at the NFL level. If he lasts until the 22nd pick (and I’m of the opinion that he shouldn’t), the Eagles would have their Mathis replacement right here.

Ron Burke CSN Philly - Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

The defense needs a hammer in the middle and Nix can be that guy. A stronger push up front could do wonders for the play of the secondary. I see no need to compromise here just for the sake of drafting a safety. Nix is a load, yet light on his feet with terrific movement skills. At his best he could command a double-team and open up opportunities for others in the front seven to make impact plays.

------

As you can see, many mock drafters have the Eagles taking a wide receiver. Many believe the Eagles need to draft a replacement DeSean Jackson. Given the depth at wide receiver in the class, the Eagles don't need to reach for a wide receiver, but it's possible the best player on the board at No. 22 is indeed a pass catcher.

Here's a summary of the picks:

WR Marqise Lee (3)
WR Brandin Cooks (3)
CB Bradley Roby (2)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (1)
CB Kyle Fuller (1)
OLB/DE Dee Ford (1)
OG Xavier Su’a-Filo (1)
DL Louis Nix III (1)

WR: 7
CB: 3
LB: 1
DL: 1
OL: 1

Offense: 8
Defense: 5

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Bleeding Green Nation Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your Philadelphia Eagles news from Bleeding Green Nation