NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Eagles take a safety, cornerback, or quarterback

The 2015 NFL Draft is fast approaching. In the meantime, the landscape of the NFL has seen significant changes with all the moves made by teams in free agency. The Eagles are no exception; it's obviously been a very busy week for them with old faces moving out and new faces coming in. Philadelphia, like other teams, has had the chance to address some of their roster holes (cornerback, edge rusher, running back) but still have quite a few remaining (safety, wide receiver, offensive line). This year's draft will give the Eagles another opportunity to add more talent to the team.

Mock draft season is in full gear and there's no shortage of opinion as to who the Eagles will be taking in this year's draft. So with that said, let's take a look at what the experts are saying.

FanSpeak (Custom) - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

How genius would Chip Kelly look if his quarterback somehow falls here? Beware of his bad pro day, NFL scouts.

SB Nation (Dan Kadar) - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Although the Eagles are expected to sign Byron Maxwell to a big contract, they still need another starting cornerback. How early is too early to take that player? If a player like Waynes is on the board at No. 20, it will test that question. He perfectly fits the mold of what the Eagles want in a cornerback. Philadelphia’s biggest weakness would suddenly be fixed.

NFL.com (Brian Baldinger) - Landon Collins, S, Alabama

The Eagles have a glaring hole at safety. Collins is the best player at his position in this draft.

CBS Sports (Rob Rang) - Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Perhaps Sam Bradford is the answer in Philadelphia. The awareness and accuracy he showed in the spread at Oklahoma translates well to the Eagles' scheme. Hundley, however, is the dynamic athlete that Chip Kelly really wants at quarterback. If Kelly can't manage the picks to make a move up for Mariota, he could see Hundley here as an ideal second option. Hundley is a graceful runner with a 3-1 career touchdown-to-interception ratio. He may not be ready to start immediately but could be groomed behind Bradford and/or Mark Sanchez, one of whom would likely have to be traded for the Eagles to select Hundley.

CBS Sports (Dane Brugler) - Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Even with the addition of Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, Johnson is a player who should be on the radar regardless. He has natural cover instincts and skills that make him worthy of consideration this early.

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (Trade up to No. 3)

Chip Kelly makes the bold move to go up and get his guy.

SI.com (Chris Burke) - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Skipping over Marcus Peters because Chip Kelly's brief NFL history indicates that Peters's Washington dismissal might be a deal-breaker. Collins deserves top-20 consideration either way, and his physical, 6’1" frame meshes with what Kelly (and most coaches) like outside at CB. Nolan Carroll has zero guaranteed money left on his deal, and both Brandon Boykin and recent signee Walter Thurmond are better in the slot.​

U~T San Diego (Eddie Brown) - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

The loss of Maclin makes receiver a priority, but the Eagles need significant upgrades in their secondary too, even after signing Byron Maxwell away from the Seahawks. There was already a lot of "buzz" surrounding Collins before the combine, and his impressive performance in Indy did nothing but confirm it. Collins size, speed and athleticism, plus his SEC pedigree will make it hard for him to fall out of the first round.

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Summary:

QB Marcus Mariota (2)
CB Jalen Collins (2)
QB Brett Hundley (1)
CB Trae Waynes (1)
CB Kevin Johnson (1)
S Landon Collins (1)

QB: 3
CB: 4
S: 1

Offense: 3
Defense: 5