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The 2018 NFL Draft will be here before you know it. Mock draft season is in gear and there’s no shortage of opinion as to whom the Philadelphia Eagles might select with the No. 32 overall pick. Let’s take a look at which players the experts have the Eagles taking this week.
FanSpeak (Custom) - Ronald Jones, RB, USC
I have my doubts about the Eagles taking a running back in the first round. I don’t think they value this position that highly, especially since they’re bound to rotate their backs. With that said, Jones would be a fun addition for the Birds. His shiftiness would be a nice complement to the more physical running styles of Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement. There are concerns about Jones’ ability to hold up as a lead back in the NFL but that won’t be an issue in Philly since he won’t have to be a work horse.
SB Nation (Dan Kadar) - Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
The Eagles are another team in the back end of the first round that could do well with a cornerback. Hughes is a player whose draft stock could rise at the combine.
NDT Scouting (Jonah Tuls) - Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
This is a coup for the Super Bowl champions. Many may consider this a luxury pick, but Guice is a player with blue-chip talent who could fall to this spot because of teams not necessarily needing a running back late in the first round.
The Ringer (Danny Kelly) - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Eagles VP Howie Roseman could go in any direction here, adding another cornerback or linebacker to his talent-packed defense. But with Jason Peters’s future in doubt, adding a starting-caliber tackle who can play on either side of the line with the 32nd pick looks like a steal.
NFL.com (Peter Schrager) - Justin Reid, S, Stanford
A do-it-all safety, Reid ranked second on the team in tackles and led the Cardinal in interceptions.
NFL.com (Chad Reuter) - Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Evans could fill either the Sam or Mike spots for Philadelphia, who could lose Dannell Ellerbe and Nigel Bradham in free agency.
CBS Sports (Will Brinson) - Ronald Jones, RB, USC
The Eagles were able to maintain the loss of Carson Wentz in large part because of a diverse and explosive running game. LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles are free agents and Jones would pair nicely with Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement.
CBS Sports (Jared Dubin) - Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Eagles might have the best roster in football. They’re going to lose some guys this offseason, though. Super Bowl champs always do. The strength of this team is its defensive line, and taking Bryan would help ensure that remains the case next year and beyond.
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) - Connor Williams, OT, Texas
They have to get ready for when Jason Peters isn’t around. Williams would bring great value here.
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso) - Ronald Jones, RB, USC
With Darren Sproles and LeGarrette Blount set to hit the market, the Eagles could look for a home run hitter to pair with Jay Ayaji. Jones runs well between the tackles and has freakish acceleration through the second level.
DraftWire (Luke Easterling) - Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Protecting Carson Wentz should obviously be the Super Bowl champs’ top priority. With Jason Peters aging and coming off a serious injury of his own, Philly has to target his replacement early in this draft. A massive mauler with tons of power and surprising athleticism for his size, Brown would be a steal this late.
Sporting News (Eric Galko) - Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
With Jason Peters aging, the Eagles need to plan for the future along their offensive line. Jones has experience on the left side, but he can transition to right tackle if the Eagles want to move Lane Johnson.
SUMMARY
RB Ronald Jones - 3
RB Derrius Guice - 1
OT Mike McGlinchey - 1
OT Connor Williams - 1
OT Orlando Brown - 1
OT Jamarco Jones - 1
DT Taven Bryan - 1
LB Rashaan Evans - 1
S Justin Reid - 1
CB Mike Hughes - 1
RB - 4
OT - 4
DT - 1
LB - 1
S - 1
CB - 1
Offense - 8
Defense - 4
THOUGHTS
- Ronald Jones is the only pick that appeared more than once in this week’s mock roundup.
- I’d be pretty surprised to see the Eagles draft a first round running back.
- Offensive tackle remains a popular pick. There’s no consensus as to which one the Eagles might select, however.
- This week’s roundup is a little light. We should see some more updated mocks once the 2018 NFL Combine is over and people adjust their boards accordingly.