clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NFL Mock Draft 2014: Mel Kiper and Todd McShay Release Final Mock Drafts

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

ESPN draft gurus Mel Kiper and Todd McShay released the final edition of their 2014 NFL mock drafts on Thursday morning. Let's take one last look at who they have the Eagles taking in the first round at No. 22 overall. (In$ider required: Kiper mock | McShay mock)

To no surprise, Kiper had the Eagles taking a wide receiver. He's pretty much consistently had the Eagles drafting a wide receiver throughout the entire pre-draft period. This time around the pick is Brandin Cooks from Oregon State. Kiper's explanation:

Brandin Cooks
COLLEGE: Oregon State
Class: Jr
HT: 5-9
WT: 189
POS: WR

Analysis: It almost seems too obvious that a Chip Kelly-coached team would draft another fantastic talent from the Pac-12, but you can put that aside here. Cooks provides an explosive pass-catching dimension that went out the door when the Eagles let DeSean Jackson go, and he's a high character worker. His ability to get open underneath and to stretch defenses vertically makes him a great fit in Kelly's scheme, and while I think cornerback could be in play here (maybe Bradley Roby), I think this is the direction they go if Cooks is available.

Cooks makes perfect sense for the Eagles. He's very talented, has no character concerns, and fills a position the Eagles will be looking to address. I'm not sure if Cooks makes it to No. 22 but I think the Eagles are hoping he will. Other players of interest still on the board: Marqise Lee, Bradley Roby, Calvin Pryor.

Whereas Kiper has consistently mocked a wide receiver to the Eagles, McShay has had Philadelphia addressing its' defense. This version is no different. At No. 22 McShay has the Eagles drafting Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. McShay's explanation:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
COLLEGE: Alabama
Class: Jr
HT: 6-1
WT: 208
POS: S

Analysis: Clinton-Dix falls further in this scenario than we might have expected (he's No. 13 on our board), but he'd be both a good value and a good fit for the Eagles were he to drop this far. He'd bring very good instincts, ball skills and range to the Philadelphia defense. USC WR Marqise Lee is also a possibility here if he gets to this spot.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock similarly had the Eagles taking Clinton-Dix in his mock on Wednesday night. Like Cooks, it would be a little surprising to see Clinton-Dix fall to the Eagles. Other players of interest still on the board: Bradley Roby, Anthony Barr, Odell Beckham Jr., Jeremiah Attaochu.

(On a different note, McShay, like Mayock, has the Dallas Cowboys drafting Johnny Manziel at 16. McShay even goes as far to say that Manziel is the NUMBER ONE PLAYER ON THEIR BOARD. It's sooooo happening. Get it done, Jerry.)

What do you think of these picks? Were there better options available?

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