Final Mel Kiper and Todd McShay mock drafts differ on the Eagles’ first-round pick

NFL Draft day is here and so are the final ESPN mocks. (Not to mention a myriad of others!)

Just how accurate are these? Well, neither Mel Kiper nor Todd McShay got it right with the Philadelphia Eagles’ first-round pick last year. Kiper had the Eagles landing Kenneth Murray (whom Jim Schwartz reportedly coveted) while McShay had them grabbing Patrick Queen. Of course, the Eagles ended up taking wide receiver Jalen Reagor instead of a linebacker.

This year, Kiper and McShay disagree on both the position and the player the Eagles will take at No. 12.

Kiper’s pick for Philly:

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Philadelphia can get an instant starter for a secondary that really struggled last season. If Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith make it to No. 12, they could be tough to pass up.

Kiper has the top three wide receivers going before the Eagles’ pick with Ja’Marr Chase at No. 5, DeVonta Smith all the way up at No. 6 (!), and Jaylen Waddle at No. 11. Horn is the second cornerback off the board with the Dallas Cowboys predictably going with Patrick Surtain at No. 10.

This is a scenario where I’m OK with Horn being the Eagles’ pick. I wouldn’t pass on Smith to get him.

And speaking of DeVonta, he’s the pick for the Eagles in McShay’s projection:

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Eagles, who have the most picks in the draft (11), land the Heisman winner and a dynamic route runner here to address their WR need. Their top receivers are Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward and Travis Fulgham, but Smith will give Jalen Hurts an explosive difference-maker. And remember, Hurts and Smith hooked up for 12 catches back in 2017-18 when Hurts was at Alabama.

McShay has Chase going at No. 5 and Waddle going at No. 6. He also has Kwity Paye going to the New York Giants one pick before the Eagles (yes, please) while Horn falls to No. 16.

Which mock do you prefer? It’s McShay for me since DeVonta is the better projectable prospect and he gives the offense some much-needed juice.