2017 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles End-of-March 7-Round Mock Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles fill holes in this 2017 NFL Draft seven-round mock draft.
We are exactly four weeks away from the 2017 NFL Draft, which means the Philadelphia Eagles have four more weeks to decide who they will select with the 14th overall pick in the first round. That 14th overall pick comes with a backstory that will be talked about forever.
The Eagles decided to trade up, twice, in the 2016 NFL Draft so they could draft Carson Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick. They gave up their 2017 first round pick in the trade with the Cleveland Browns to get to No. 2, so it looked as if they were going to sit out of the first round. That wouldn't have been good considering the 2017 NFL Draft is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 27, 2017.
Luckily for the Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings were in need of a quarterback. Philly had re-signed Sam Bradford in the 2016 offseason, so they had a great opportunity and jumped on it. Minnesota sent Philadelphia their first-round pick and a fourth round pick for Bradford. Minnesota had a tough end of the year after starting hot, so the Eagles will now be picking 14th overall.
That 14th overall pick will be valuable for the Eagles because they have some holes that they need to fill. They decided to use free agency to fill their hole at wide receiver when they signed Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. They also added considerable depth to their offensive line to ensure they protected Wentz. After releasing Connor Barwin, they needed some depth at defensive end, and they got that when they signed Chris Long to a two-year deal. The biggest problem was that they did not address their biggest need: cornerback.
They fill that hole in this seven-round mock draft and also fill some others. Click along to see who the Eagles select as we get close to the 2017 NFL Draft.
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1, Pick 14: Gareon Conley, CB – Ohio State
This mock draft is my fourth for the Eagles and the fourth time I have Ohio State's Gareon Conley going to the Eagles. In my first mock draft, back in November, I said that this pick may not be popular now, but it would gain steam as we get closer to the draft. Fast forward to present time, and Conley is mentioned to the Eagles a lot.
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I believe he is one of the best cornerbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft and I would not be surprised if he did not make it to the 14th overall pick. His size matched with his speed make him an intriguing option for any team. At Ohio State, Conley was great at covering receivers and arguably the best in the country.
According to Pro Football Focus, Conley "Allowed just 14 receptions for 159 yards, and an NFL passer rating of 14.0, best in the nation, on throws into his coverage in 2016." Those numbers are no joke and should have the Eagles licking their chops if he is on the board when they pick.
Conley may not be a guy that will tackle a ton for you, but the Eagles do not need that. They need a cornerback who is going to lock the opposing No. 1 wide receiver up and help make plays in the secondary. If they take Conley, they will finally have a legitimate No. 1 cornerback and be able to breathe easier knowing their secondary has gotten better.
If Conley is gone, the Eagles still need to take a cornerback. That is their biggest hole and should be their primary focus in the draft.
Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Teez Tabor (31) rushes against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2, Pick 43: Teez Tabor, CB – Florida
I meant it when I said that cornerback needs to be the Eagles primary focus in the 2017 NFL Draft because they double down here in the second round. Conley will be able to be their No. 1 cornerback right away, and former Florida Gators cornerback Jalen "Teez" Tabor could be their No. 2 guy.
Tabor has been an interesting player throughout the draft season, as some felt he is the No. 1 cornerback in the entire class, while others felt he wasn't better than his teammate Quincy Wilson. I felt that Tabor was a sure-fire first-round pick, until his 40-yard dash time. Before you get angry, I am the first person who will tell you that game film is more important than numbers at the combine, but Tabor's were the most alarming I have ever seen for a guy I have graded so high.
He ran a 4.62 at the combine, which is not very good at all. A 4.5 would have cemented his first-round status in my opinion, but the sad time had him in murky waters. Then, at his pro day, Tabor ran in the 4.7s. Yikes.
A number that high shows that he either is very slow or put no effort in after he has been done playing at Florida. It's alarming and something that will almost guarantee he does not go in the first round. This cornerback class is one of the most talented classes ever, so in this mock, I have Tabor sliding to the Eagles in the second round.
He may be slow, but Tabor can cover and can play the position at an elite level. Pro Football Focus pointed out that Tabor "Allowed an NFL passer rating of 41.2 over the past three years. By comparison, the passer rating for throwing the ball into the dirt every play is 39.6."
If he can fall to the Eagles in the second, they need to make sure they jump on him as fast as he can jump a hitch route and take it for six. If the Eagles do get Conley and Tabor, they will have two starting cornerbacks for many years to come.
Oct 29, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs in a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3, Pick 74: D'Onta Foreman, RB – Texas
After filling the biggest hole, cornerback, the Eagles fill another big hole in the third round: running back. As of now, the Eagles have Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood as their running backs. However, once Mathews is healthy enough to pass a physical, he will most likely be released by the team.
Mathews is a solid running back when healthy, but he just has too much trouble staying healthy. It is time for the Eagles to find a running back that they can give the ball to 30 times in a game if they have to and trust that he will handle the load and help their offense. Sproles is elite on third down, but he should never carry the load in a game. Smallwood, a 2016 fifth-round pick, is a solid option, but I feel he just doesn't bring enough to the table to be their starter in 2017.
That is why I have the Eagles taking former Texas running back D'Onta Foreman. The 6-0, 233 pounds running back did not run his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine because of a stress fracture in his foot. The wait was well worth it for scouts, though, as he ran an impressive 4.45.
According to Gil Brandt of Sirius XM NFL:
Using combine data since 2003, no RB weighing 232+ has ever run that fast.
That may have punched Foreman's ticket to the second round. However, he has a tragic flaw: his ability on third-down. Foreman isn't a guy that will catch the ball out of the backfield for you. He caught 13 passes in three seasons at Texas. He also struggles in pass protection, so that is something that will probably keep him in the third round. It is also something that makes him a good fit for the Eagles.
Foreman won't need to play on third down because they have Sproles. He will be able to run the ball on first and second down and help the Eagles secure wins, something they struggled with last season.
Nov 26, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Shelton Gibson (1) catches a 71 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Skyler Howard (not pictured) as Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Kamari Cotton-Moya (5) chases from behind during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4, Pick 119: Shelton Gibson, WR – West Virginia
The Eagles may have filled their hole at wide receiver, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't keep adding weapons. Smith will help the Eagles vertical passing offense, but Smith could also be a flop like he was in San Francisco.
There is also the idea that Eagles could get out of Smith's contract after 2017, so maybe they are just using him as a band-aid for one year. That means they need to find a player to stretch the field and former West Virginia's wide receiver Shelton Gibson would be a perfect fit. According to an AFC South scout (via NFL.com):
He will end up being one of the three fastest players at the combine. He's got ridiculous speed. He runs by people like they are standing still like DeSean Jackson used to do at Cal.
Anytime a player is compared to DeSean Jackson; you know that he will be a good fit for the Eagles considering they miss him more than any player they lost in the Chip Kelly era. Gibson may never be a guy that will catch 100 passes for you, but he could be a guy that catches 50 and averages 17 or more yards per catch. He averaged 22.6 yards per catch in college, and that should be his game in the NFL.
He only ran a 4.50 at the NFL Combine, but his game tape is more important. Gibson is a burner and would be a great option for the Eagles in the fourth round.
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow (96) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4, Pick 139: Ryan Glasgow, DT – Michigan
After losing Bennie Logan to free agency, the Eagles have a hole at defensive tackle. Waiting until the fourth round may not be the smartest choice to fill the hole, but in this mock, it worked out perfectly with Ryan Glasgow out of Michigan. According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN,
Michigan DL Ryan Glasgow said he met with the Saints, Ravens and Giants. The Eagles are coming in to meet with him Monday. He will go to local pro day with the Bears and met with Colts today.
That makes a ton of sense for the Eagles and Glasgow could end up becoming a starter in his rookie seasons if he ends up in Philadelphia. He would be able to fit into where Logan played and just be used primarily as a run-stopping defensive tackle. He won't give you much rushing the passer, but that isn't what you need him to do.
Round 5, Pick 155: Ryan Switzer, WR – North Carolina
Two wide receivers in the 2017 NFL Draft after singing Jeffery and Smith? Yes. Drafting a slot receiver when you already have Jordan Matthews? Yes! Why? Matthews is in the final year of his contract. There is a realistic chance that the Eagles will not re-sign him at the end of 2017, so who will be their new slot receiver?
Ryan Switzer out of North Carolina is one of my favorite players in the entire draft class. After extensively watching North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky throughout the draft process, one thing was for sure: That diminutive wide receiver who wears No. 3 is a beast.
Switzer will never be a No. 1 wide receiver, and I do not think he will ever even be a No. 2 wide receiver. However, he will be a dominant slot receiver in the NFL. If the Eagles were able to add him and let Matthews walk, they would get a cheaper option who may even be better than what they previously had.
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6, Pick 194: Ethan Cooper, OL – Indiana University of Pennsylvania
According to Brian Linder of PennLive.com, "Former IUP offensive lineman Ethan Cooper said he is slated for a private workout with the Philadelphia Eagles Friday." Cooper is a player I have not studied at all, but the Eagles having a private workout with him is worth noting. Since I have not studied him, here is his a breakdown of Cooper via Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
Cooper is tough to get a read on due to the level of competition he plays. He is good but not dominant as a run blocker, which is a little surprising based on his girthy frame. He doesn't play with as much hip torque as you want so he will probably always have some limitations as a drive blocker. He's a decent athlete with an NFL frame and that should help him go as a developmental Day 3 draft prospect.
The Eagles may add a player like Cooper to try and groom into their future right tackle, for when Lane Johnson bumps over to the left and future Hall of Fame left tackle Jason Peters is gone.
Round 7, Pick 230: Jeremy Clark, CB – Michigan
Two Michigan players with the last four picks for the Eagles in this mock draft. That would also make it three cornerbacks for the Eagles, which could happen after the draft is over. Jeremy Clark is a large corner, standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 220 pounds. Clark is a cornerback that likes to be physical and can tackle well. He reminds me of Brandon Browner, mainly because of his size, but also the way he plays the position.
He tore his ACL in 2016, so he may not even get drafted. But with such a huge need at cornerback, it may make sense to take a flier on Clark in the seventh round. There are questions about his speed, but the Eagles should just trust the tape and bring in a guy that could strengthen their weakest position.
