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The 2015 NFL Draft is only three weeks away from today, so ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released a new 2015 NFL mock draft on Thursday.
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This is Kiper's Version 4.0 mock for the upcoming draft. Here's a look at Version 1.0, Version 2.0, and Version 3.0 if you missed those ones. This time around Kiper has the Eagles taking a defensive player yet again. It's actually just the same player Todd McShay has been mocking to the Eagles as well, so this is pretty boring and unimaginative. Via ESPN In$ider:
"Landon Collins | COLLEGE: Alabama | Class: Jr | HT: 6-0 | WT: 228 | POS: S
Analysis: Collins is a safety who does his best work when he's near the line of scrimmage. He has great instincts and tackling ability as an extra defender against the run, and he's the kind of player who can fit seamlessly into this scheme and should be on the field right away. I do think the Eagles will be looking to add another pass-catching threat, but the draft offers plenty of depth in that area, just as it did last year when they added an instant-impact receiver in Round 2."
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The Eagles sure do need a safety to start next to Malcolm Jenkins. There's no clear starter now that Nate Allen is gone. Philadelphia's current options aren't exactly inspiring. Jaylen Watkins has more experience at corner than safety. Earl Wolff has failed to stay healthy. Chris Prosinski and Chris Maragos are likely just special teams players. Ed Reynolds and Jerome Couplin have yet to prove they can play in the NFL.
But just because the Eagles need a safety doesn't mean they will be desperate to get Collins. Sheil Kapadia of Birds 24/7 recently talked about why Collins isn't a scheme fit for Philadelphia. He's good near the line of scrimmage but there are questions about his coverage skills. The Eagles don't seem to want an in-the-box type of safety.
Despite this, McShay and Kiper keeping mocking him to the Eagles. So that's fun.
What do you think of the Collins pick?
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Elsewhere in this mock, Kiper has Marcus Mariota going No. 2 to the Tennessee Titans. Here's the entire first round order. Get ESPN In$ider to read the explanation for all the picks.
Pick | Team | Player |
---|---|---|
1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
2 | Tennessee Titans | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon |
3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Leonard Williams, DE, USC |
4 | Oakland Raiders | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
5 | Washington Redskins | Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida |
6 | New York Jets | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
7 | Chicago Bears | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
8 | Atlanta Falcons | Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson |
9 | New York Giants | Shane Ray, DE, Missouri |
10 | St. Louis Rams | Breshard Perriman, WR, UCF |
11 | Minnesota Vikings | Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State |
12 | Cleveland Browns | Devante Parker, WR, Louisville |
13 | New Orleans Saints | Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska |
14 | Miami Dolphins | Danny Shelton, DT, Washington |
15 | San Francisco 49ers | Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon |
16 | Houston Texans | Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky |
17 | San Diego Chargers | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas |
18 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State |
19 | Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo) | Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia |
20 | Philadelphia Eagles | Landon Collins, S, Alabama |
21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan |
22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest |
23 | Detroit Lions | La'El Collins, OT, LSU |
24 | Arizona Cardinals | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin |
25 | Carolina Panthers | D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida |
26 | Baltimore Ravens | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington |
27 | Dallas Cowboys | Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut |
28 | Denver Broncos | Cameron Erving, C, FSU |
29 | Indianapolis Colts | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
30 | Green Bay Packers | Jalen Collins, CB, LSU |
31 | New Orleans Saints (via Seattle) | Nelson Agholor, WR, USC |
32 | New England Patriots | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State |