NFL Mock Draft 2019: ESPN Mel Kiper 3.0 Edition

NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is back with another mock draft now that the first couple waves of free agency are over. Kiper’s previous mock draft selection for the Eagles made no sense. Did he do a better job in Version 3.0? Let’s see what he has to say this time (via ESPN In$ider):

25. Philadelphia Eagles — Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Philadelphia has done a nice job filling holes this offseason. DeSean Jackson can replace Golden Tate. Malik Jackson is an upgrade on Haloti Ngata & Co. at defensive tackle. Vinny Curry will help with Michael Bennett moving on. GM Howie Roseman hasn’t addressed the secondary, however, outside of bringing back Ronald Darby on a one-year deal, which means Philly could target a safety or corner in the first round or with one of its two second-round picks. Abram (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) is my top-ranked safety, a physical tackler who showed off 4.45 40-yard dash speed at the combine.

Potential Eagles targets who were off the board include: Ed Oliver (No. 14), Clelin Ferrell (No. 16), Christian Wilkins (No. 17), Andre Dillard (No. 23), and Josh Jacobs (No. 24). Kiper also had the Eagles passing on notable players such as Cody Ford (No. 28), Greedy Williams (No. 28), and Nasir Adderley (unselected in the first round).

Kiper’s pick for the Eagles this time around at least makes some sense from a position standpoint. Philadelphia could easily look to draft a safety with Malcolm Jenkins turning 32 this season and Rodney McLeod and Andrew Sendejo both set to be free agents in 2020.

But does Abram give the Eagles what they want from a safety? Read this description from BGN’s Michael Kist:

Mississippi State’s Johnathan Abram is a pure box safety with too much inconsistency in coverage/tackling but can bring some thump. Developmental project.

The Eagles aren’t going to be drafting a box safety who struggles in coverage at No. 25 overall. They’re clearly a team that philosophically prioritizes passing offense/defense over running offense/defense. With that in mind, Adderley seems like a much more realistic target if you’re projecting a safety to the Eagles.

Kiper’s pick this time isn’t as bad as it was last time but it’s still not a good one.