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ESPN ran a special SportsCenter segment on Thursday night that featured a live mock draft with draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Kiper already released his Version 5.0 earlier this week, but this live edition featured analysts alternating picks in the first round.
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Instead of Kiper projecting Landon Collins to the Eagles at No. 20 this time, he has them taking a different defensive back: Washington cornerback Marcus Peters. Here's his explanation:
"Marcus Peters, cornerback from Washington, is the pick at No. 20 for the Philadelphia. Marcus Peters has an attitude and approach: physical. When you think about in press coverage there against [Jaelen] Strong. You think about a guy who can upgrade a secondary that desperately needs it, that defense. You can't keep outscoring people. You need to start stopping people and containing people. [...] He went up against some really good receivers in the PAC-12 and at the cornerback spot for Washington, he held up exceptionally well when he was challenged and put up to the test against those guys who are going to be in the NFL as high picks."
Kiper had the Eagles taking Jordan Matthews at No. 22 last year. This seems interesting in hindsight because Chip Kelly reportedly wanted Matthews in the first. Philadelphia ending up trading in the second round to draft him at No. 42 overall instead.
It doesn't seem like Kiper's pick this year will end up being accurate. By now it's apparent Peters comes with his fair share of character concerns. He might not even be on the Eagles draft board if he doesn't fit Chip Kelly's culture.
Former Eagles scout and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick weighed in on Kiper's pick. He explained why character concerns aren't the only issue with Peters.
"I see the need. I just don't see this player fitting Philaelphia whatsoever. This is Chip Kelly, who talks about character beating scheme all day every day. About a guy who wants players who buy in who are total team guys. And really [Peters] exemplified everything except being a total team guy. On top of it, I know he wants big corners and he wants corners who can tackle, corners who will play physical. As far as I'm concerned when I watch Marcus Peters, a lot of times he looked like he was allergic to contact as far as trying to play strong on the perimeter. If I'm going corner here, I'm looking at Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest who I believe is the best corner in this draft. I just don't see [Peters] being a fit."