NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Eagles take a pass rusher

The 2015 NFL Draft is fast approaching, but for now all the focus is on NFL free agency. The new league year begins on March 10 and it'll be interesting to see how the NFL landscape changes. Teams will have the opportunity to fill some of their roster holes by signing players on the open market.

Still, 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) - Bud Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky

Dupree played at both outside linebacker and defensive end in Kentucky's hybrid defense. The 22-year-old senior measures in at 6-4, 270 pounds. Take a look at his spider graph. He's big and fast. Dupree finished his college career with 23.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defensed, and four forced fumbles. The Eagles need help at outside linebacker with Trent Cole being released and Brandon Graham likely to walk in free agency. 2014 first round pick Marcus Smith is a question mark. The Eagles could look to go for an edge player in the first round for a second straight year.

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

Some are considering Waynes a possible top 10 pick now after he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine. While that number is impressive, it shouldn’t quite vault him that high in the draft. The middle of the first round is his proper range, and that should suit Philadelphia nicely. Waynes can come in, start as a rookie and help improve the team’s back half.

ESPN In$ider (Mel Kiper) - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Chip Kelly is in the midst of remaking the roster, but be it via trade or in free agency he's going to see it won't be easy to simply plug holes at cornerback, an area where the Eagles need help. Collins is a high-upside play as a cornerback with good size, reach and athletic attributes. He can play physical but also turn and run with the fastest wide receivers in the league. He's not a complete package yet, but he can press, play off and shows awareness in zone. This is a big enough need that Collins probably won't be the only CB the Eagles draft.

NFL.com (Lance Zierlein) - Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

If the Eagles don't see value in taking a cornerback here, they could shock everyone with Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon as cheaper future replacements for LeSean McCoy.

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (Trade up to No. 6)

The Eagles would be making a bold move to get a guy who fits what they do.

CBS Sports (Pat Kirwan) - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (Trade up to No. 4)

Chip Kelly is clearly running the show now when it comes to personnel. He doesn't have LeSean McCoy to use in a trade but he has draft picks and players to package up. He can't run the risk of the Jets taking Mariota. Kelly could throw in DeMeco Ryans now that he is acquiring Kiko Alonso to go along with two first round picks and a second this year and get his guy.

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

The needs at this pick might change if the Eagles land a big name free agent like Byron Maxwell, but 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 (Rob Rang) - Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

With Chip Kelly in complete control of the roster, the Eagles are one of the more unpredictable teams this year. Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez have fared reasonably well in Kelly's system but neither possesses the preferred athleticism. Hundley is a project in most schemes but perhaps not so much in Kelly's attack. The 6-3, 226-pounder has terrific speed, a big arm and a career 3-1 touchdown (75) to interception (25) ratio. The drop-off in talent after the top three quarterbacks is significant enough that it could push Hundley into the first round even though many clubs view him as a second-round value.

CSN Philly (Ron Burke) - Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky (Trade up to No. 17)

Dupree is a hard worker that hustles to the ball. He's steady and productive, and has room to get even better.

CSN Phillly (Chris Steuber) - Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)

While there’s a lot of talk about a possible Chip Kelly-Marcus Mariota reunion, upgrading the secondary is a more realistic scenario. Rollins is a physical defender who has an ascending skill set and can line up at either cornerback or safety.

Summary:

QB Marcus Mariota - 2
DE/OLB Bud Dupree - 2
CB Kevin Johnson - 2
QB Brett Hundley - 1
CB Trae Waynes - 1
CB Quinten Rollins - 1
CB Jalen Collins - 1

CB: 6
QB: 3
DE/OLB: 1

Offense: 3
Defense: 7