2017 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles grab an offensive weapon at pick No. 14

There are only 24 days until the 2017 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27. Just a little over three weeks to go! Let’s kill some time until then with our weekly Mock Draft Monday series.

Last week, SB Nation’s Dan Kadar posted a two-round mock that had the Eagles going with a wide receiver in the first round and a cornerback in the second. This week, we’re back to a first round only mock that has the Eagles taking a running back at No. 14.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings): Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford - Don’t be surprised if on draft night McCaffrey is the second running back picked. He offers many of the same things Dalvin Cook does, and he doesn’t have the background questions as the Florida State star. The Eagles need a playmaker this draft, and McCaffrey can do it from the running back spot while also working as wide out and return specialist.

Here’s who went off the board before Philadelphia’s selection.

1 - DE Myles Garrett
2 - DE Solomon Thomas
3 - DL Jonathan Allen
4 - TE O.J. Howard
5 - S Malik Hooker
6 - QB Mitchell Tribusky
7 - S Jamal Adams
8 - RB Leonard Fournette
9 - WR Corey Davis
10 - CB Marshon Lattimore
11 - DE Derek Barnett
12 - QB Deshaun Watson
13 - CB Marlon Humphrey

So in order to draft McCaffrey at No. 14, the Eagles skipped over the likes of Dalvin Cook, John Ross, Reuben Foster, Mike Williams, Gareon Conley, etc.

Is McCaffrey really the best player available for the Eagles in the first round? Maybe. I really like the player, personally. And for as much as I’m sure the Eagles won’t draft a running back in the first round, I do think it’s possible they draft a receiver. McCaffrey isn’t “officially” a receiver but he is a pretty good pass catcher. The Stanford product had 99 receptions for 1,206 receiving yards and 10 touchdown over three years.

Still, I don’t think McCaffrey is the pick. I wouldn’t mind being wrong because I’d love for the Eagles to get an upgrade at running back, but I just don’t feel that’s the direction they’re leaning.

That said, a rumor did emerge last week that the Eagles are one of the four teams most interested in McCaffrey. So who knows!

What do you think? Do you like this pick for the Eagles?