NFL mock draft round up: Going deep as the wait shortens

It’s April, which means we are in draft month. But let’s look back to a few lengthy mock drafts from March. There’s seven rounds in the draft, so why not make seven round mock drafts? (The answer is because damn that’s a lot of work that will not at all be correct.)

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated

1 - LB Haason Riddick, Temple

Feels like the Eagles have been shopping LB Mychal Kendricks since approximately the moment they drafted him. He obviously is not a part of their long-term plans. Enter Reddick, who could pair with Jordan Hicks to form an exciting, young LB duo.

I’m increasingly warming up to the idea that the Eagles draft a linebacker at 14. When he was head coach of the Lions, Detroit drafted just four cornerbacks in five years, and none were in the first round. Schwartz’s defense starts with the line (which is reason enough to draft a pass rusher or tackle, but in this mock the can’t miss DL are all off the board), and after that he’s always had or tried to have solid linebackers and safeties. At corner, he churned through cast offs like Chris Houston, Phillip Buchanon, and Alphonso Smith. They’re not a high priority for him. The Eagles already have a great pair of safeties, no need to grab one in the first round. And they have a really good pair of linebackers in what is now a league where you only have two three-down linebackers, but with the expectation of Nigel Bradham being suspended and with Bradham in the final year of his contract, there’s a logic behind drafting one over a corner. Whether or not that’s the best use of the 14th pick in the draft is another topic, but as we approach April 27th, the possibility of the pick being a LB is becoming clearer.

And it shouldn’t at all factor into the pick, but Philadelphia drafting a Temple player when the draft is in Philly would be a really cool moment for the city.

2 - CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

Sure.

3 - RB D’Onta Foreman, Texas

You’re getting me very excited Chris. But this is only a 3 round mock. Lazy!

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report

1 - Christian McCaffrey

Prior to his combine workout, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey stated he felt somewhat disrespected in this year's draft class, per the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett.

At the time, McCaffrey was considered the third- or even fourth-best running back prospect. But he reasserted himself as a top talent when he proved in workouts he is a tremendous athlete whose skills translate to the field.

The Stanford product finished among the top five running backs in Indianapolis in five different events, including the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle.

More importantly, he looked flawless throughout his position workout. This is especially important considering the potential fit with the Philadelphia Eagles. Doug Pederson's offense features running backs who are adept at catching the ball out of the backfield.

McCaffrey is as good of a receiver as he is a runner. His skill set should remind Eagles faithful of Brian Westbrook.

McCaffrey is looking like a chic pick, but it seems highly unlikely they take a RB in the 1st. Expect one on day two.

2 - CB Fabian Moreau, UCLA

3 - DE Tannoh Kpassagnon, Villanova

Like Riddick, a local guy going to the Eagles would be cool, but it feels like he won’t be available to them in the 3rd.

4 - CB Jalen Myrick, Minnesota

Very slowly the Eagles are assembling an all-Jalen/Jaylen secondary.

4 - TE Jonnu Smith, Florida International

The 4th round seems high both for Smith and for the Eagles to take a TE. If you haven’t heard of Smith, you will if only because he was a victim of domestic violence when his pregnant girlfriend poured boiling water on him.

5 - S Jadar Johnson, Clemson

Jadar will have to change his name to Jalen.

6 - DE Keionta Davis, NC-Chattanooga

7 - NT Josh Tupou, Colorado

The Eagles aren’t shy about taking red flag players, and they need a run stuffing DT. Tupou, who was suspended for all of 2015 after starting a brawl, and is 320+ pounds, is both of those.

Luke Easterling, USA Today

1 - RB Christian McCaffery, Stanford

With receiver shored up via free agency, the Eagles can afford to take a chance on McCaffrey, who could make life easier for Carson Wentz in many ways.

They’re going to go hunting together?

2 - CB Tre’Davious White, LSU

Some have White a 1st rounder, others going in the 2nd. If there’s a run on corners, it’s unlikely that White is there at 43.

3 - DE Jordan Willis, Kansas State

I don’t see Willis being on the board in the 3rd round.

4 - G Nico Siragusa, San Diego State

There is no reason for the Eagles to draft a guard, they already have 34 of them.

4 - DT Davlin Tomlinson, Alabama

5 - LB Blair Brown, Ohio

To replace 5’11” 238 pound Mychal Kendricks the Eagles draft a 5’11” 238 linebacker? Not buying it.

6 - WR KD Cannon, Baylor

Cannon’s closest physical comp on Mockdraftable is DeDe Westbrook, so it’s like getting Westbrook without the guilt!

7 - S Tony Conner, Ole Miss

Invictus, Big Blue View

1 - RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

There are going to be a lot of very disappointed people when McCaffrey is drafted, whenever that turns out to be.

2 - CB Cordrea Tankersly, Clemson

3 - DT Larry Ogunjobi, NC-Charlotte

Ogunjobi is highly athletic but needs some development and is much more of a pass rusher than a run stuffer. Not quite what the Eagles need.

4 - CB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee

4 - S John Johnson, Boston College

Eagles draft an Eagle. Makes sense.

5 - OT Conor McDermott, UCLA

Enjoy:

6 - WR Stacy Coley, Miami

7 - QB CJ Beathard, Iowa

The Eagles are probably going to draft a QB on day three, they said last year they want to take one every year, and in the 7th round you’re just getting crap QBs, which Beathard certainly is.