Mocking
Posted: April 8th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 54 Comments »Let’s take a look at what might happen prior to pick 15. The first 3 picks are pretty set.
1. IND – QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. WAS – QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
3. MIN – OT Matt Kalil, USC
4 . CLE – RB Trent Richardson, Alabama — This is where things can go a variety of ways. QB Ryan Tannehill is possible. WR Justin Blackmon is possible. CB Morris Claiborne could also be in play. I’m going with Richardson, but this is purely a guess.
5. TB – CB Morris Claiborne, LSU — If Richardson is gone, I expect Claiborne to be the pick. If the Bucs have to choose between the two…I’d probably go Richardson. Coach Greg Schiano is new so reading him is tough. Building teams to beat West Virginia and Pitt is significantly different than the Saints and Falcons.
6. STL – WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State — Sam Bradford needs help. This could be a WR, OL, or RB. The Rams could go defense and add DT Fletcher Cox. They just signed DT Kendall Langford and adding Cox could give them a terrific DL. I just think this draft needs to be about the offense. Bradford is heading into Year 3. Blackmon would give him a workhorse WR. He’s not an elite weapon, but will make his share of plays. WR Michael Floyd could be a darkhorse pick here. He does have some character issues and after Jeff Fisher had to deal with Kenny Britt…I think Fisher might prefer to avoid a repeat.
7. JAX – DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina — GM Gene Smith has publicly said that the team is willing to trade down. Trying to guess who might go up here is highly complicated. If Fletcher Cox gets this far, he could be the target of a few teams. For now, I’m leaving the Jags here. They could go for a big WR like Michael Floyd. They still need help on the DL. I’m guessing they go for Ingram.
8. MIA – QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M — The Dolphins need a QB. If Tannehill is gone, Miami could look to move down. They have a new coach this year so we don’t know exactly what he’s looking for.
9. CAR – DE Quinton Coples, UNC — Another mystery pick. The Panthers could use a DT or DE. If WR Michael Floyd is on the board, he could be a possibility. I went with Coples because despite his issues, he is 6-6, 284, strong, and fast. He can slide inside in the Nickel/Dime. The Panthers need to figure out how to beat Brees, Freeman, and Ryan. A good LDE would help.
10. BUF – WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame — The Bills would love a pass rusher to put opposite of Mario Williams, but no one is good value. There also isn’t a great LT to add. Floyd gives QB Ryan Fitzpatrick another big target. I think the Bills will go for the LT in the 2nd round.
11. KC – DL Michael Brockers, LSU — I feel completely confused here. The Chiefs are always a hard team to read. Dontari Poe could be a target. Scott Pioli knows George Young’s “Planet Theory”. When you have a chance to get a guy that there are only a couple of on the planet, you take him. That’s Poe. 11 might be too early though. Brockers is big and a good run defender. He could play DE or NT for the Chiefs. Pioli does like SEC D-linemen.
12. SEA – DL Fletcher Cox, Miss State — G David DeCastro would make a lot of sense, but I went DL. Seattle signed DT Jason Jones to a 1-year deal. Cox would play behind him for a year and then take over. Cox has the versatility that Pete Carroll apparently likes in his DL. Cox could play DE or DT. Luke Kuechly is possible here, but I get the feeling that Caroll would rather focus on the OL/DL. He cut Lofa Tatupu. He let David Hawthorne walk. He seems to feel comfortable with finding LBs. Barrett Ruud was signed as a band aid for 2012. I’m guessing they add a LB in the mid-rounds.
13. ARZ – OT Mike Adams, Ohio State — The Cards have no 2nd round pick. They need an OT. They tried to sign Demetress Bell, but had no luck. They did re-sign Levi Brown. He’s better suited to playing RT. Going for Adams would give them a LT. He’s not worth pick 13 in a value sense, but fills a major need. And he’s the kind of OL that Russ Grimm should like. Adams is big. He is a good run blocker. He could develop into a good starting LT. I’m sure the Cards would have interest in Kuechly, but he would be a luxury pick for them. Adding an OT is more of a necessity.
14. DAL – SS Mark Barron, Alabama — This is high for a Safety. 3 reasons why Dallas would make the pick: RG3, Mike Vick, and Eli Manning. They need help at Safety. Barron can cover and play the run. I considered Dontari Poe here as well. He could play DE or NT in the Dallas system. And Rob Ryan would probably love to have a big, talented DL to work with. G David DeCastro would also make a lot of sense.
15. PHI …
I think the Eagles would go for Luke Kuechly in this scenario. “Think” being the key word. Unfortunately it seems like a real long shot that Cox gets to pick 15. If the Eagles covet him, moving up is likely to be required.
Coples and Brockers are players that could fall. The Eagles have shown interest in Brockers, but he’s a Junior and they often check out underclassmen. Coples has been on their radar all year. I have no idea if they do like him.
The big wildcard here is pick 7. We don’t know who might trade up for that pick and who they might target. Heck, could be the Eagles that talk to the Jags.
One other interesting thing to consider. If Fletcher Cox is on the board at pick 13, I wonder if the Eagles could talk to the Cards about a deal. The Eagles could offer a 4th round pick. The Cards would only slide back a couple of spots. They could still get their LT. They would also add a mid-round pick.
Cox has a few teams interested in him. They could talk to the Cards. They could also talk to the Cowboys about pick 14. That’s why the Eagles would have to consider moving up.
Then again, if the Eagles prefer Kuechly, I think there is a good chance he gets to pick 15 so the Eagles could just sit tight and take him.
If KC took Brockers that would be three LSU D-tackles in the past four or five years. He must really love his LSU lineman!
Glenn Dorsey was already in place when Scott Pioli was hired. He was picked to be a 4-3 DT. Brockers would be a DE or NT. He’s got the size Pioli likes. Dorsey is miscast in the 3-4. I’m surprised they haven’t dealt him.
Dorsey would be great as the UT in our system. That’s what he excelled at at LSU.
The Cards have no 2nd round pick. They need an OT. They tried to sign Demetress Bell, but had no luck.
Amazing foresight by the Eagles! I maybe missed this at the time, as I was away, it must have crossed their minds though, were have a very intelligent FO in some respects.
I think Keuch has to get past Seattle, but what about KC themselves as a party that may covet Luke?
KC seems to like Jovan Belcher and Derrick Johnson. Never say never, I guess.
I understand 1 more than the other.
Not sure the cards will ever want to do a deal with the eagles again!!
Thanks for giving us good posts each day, and often more than one per day. I check igglesblitz religiously!
What do you think it would take to move to 7? And is it worth it?
I like the idea of us taking LK or any of the top 3 DTs at 15. Then trade up from the 2nd to get TE fleener.
If the Jags are desperate, maybe only a 3rd and something. I’m sure they would prefer to add a 2nd round pick. Can’t see the Eagles paying that price.
Do you think 15 plus Asante would be enough?
Doubtful. Asante is likely to be gone by then.
Yesterday, you responded on an Asante question saying that nothing PUBLICLY is being talked about with Asante. Now this. WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! :-p
TALK, YOU BASTARD!
I’ll get the jumper cables, you get the car battery.
If they thought Kolb was so bad why did they keep him and pay the 7 mil rather than cut him? Besides, he gave away our secrets so they could beat us last year 🙂
When the major free agent quarterbacks all opted for other teams, the Cards had to keep Kolb. You can’t go into a season hoping to pick your starting quarterback with the 13th pick in the draft.
First, you can’t be sure that he’ll still be available at 13. If he’s not, you’re totally screwed.
Second, the teams picking above you will hold you hostage. Once they know that you HAVE to pick a certain player, they can threaten to pick him themselves or threaten to trade down and send him to a rival franchise. You’ll have to pay through the nose to acquire him.
Interesting gen from Rang re Dallas at #14:
Since 2006, the Dallas Cowboys have invited each one of their first round picks to their facility as one of 30 pre-draft visits allowed by the NFL. Knowing this to be true, what can we glean from the players Dallas brought in this year? Maybe more than you’d think.
Though the Cowboys did not pick until the third round of the 2009 draft, the team has used six first round picks since 2006. Those players — OT Tyron Smith, WR Dez Bryant, RB Felix Jones, CB Mike Jenkins, OLB Anthony Spencer and OLB Bobby Carpenter — were each invited to tour Dallas’ facility.
So who does Dallas appear to be interested in this year? Well, despite what you may have read the team did not invite Memphis DT Dontari Poe, Stanford OG David DeCastro or Stanford TE Coby Fleener to the facility. League sources have linked each of the three over the past few weeks to the Cowboys.
Among the players who have visited Dallas to meet with the Cowboys’ top brass, however, include six stars from the SEC: a trio of players from Alabama (S Mark Barron, CB ‘Dre Kirkpatrick, OLB Courtney Upshaw), as well as Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox, South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore and Georgia OL Cordy Glenn.
I can see Dallas going with so many of those guys. Really confusing.
DeCastro fo sure, but if what is being said is indeed right, he has 0% chance.
Unless Dallas is aware of the trend and intentionally trying to break it.
What could the patriots ask in a trade up with one of ours 2nd rounds for the #31 pick and then we would be able to get TE Fleener?
The Pats love future picks. I’m sure our 2013 1st would do the trick. Of course, Howie/Andy aren’t making that deal.
Don’t know if NE would have interest in both our 2nds.
Do you think this would be a good price to pay for him?
I really would love to see Vick, DJax, Maclin, McCoy, Celek and Fleener in the same field.
Haven’t made up my mind on a trade. Hesitant to deal either of the 2nd round picks right now.
If we traded back from 15 into the 20’s because Cox and Luke are gone, I would prefer they add Curry over Fleener. Cole/Babin aren’t getting any younger, Graham is still a question mark and Tapp and Hunt have potential but are just rotational guys right now. Tapp could be moved if Curry looks to be a starting talent. I think a DE is more of a need then another toy for our offense right now. I think Clay Harbor has more potential then people realize. Eagles just need to tap into it. Get a high pick next year out of the deal. Use our two 2nds on Lavonte David and Boykin. Shore up the LB corp and Secondary. We can add Wolfe in the 3rd for our DT. If we still need a big WR, add Plax for a year, and focus next year on drafting a young WR early.
All the speculation is fun but… lots of teams using their high draft picks to trade down so who knows. I really like the LK40 pick. Not just because he’s a play maker but he looks like a real leader! Leadership on Defense the Eagles have lacked since Dawkins left and before him I’d say Trotter. I know that’s a trait that AR values but… then again games are won on the OL and DL and the DTs are aging. Who’s gonna take over? Lots of good DTs in the 2nd and 3rd round too so it’s an interesting draft with Cox and LK in the mix. But who knows with AR and DR and their poker faces… I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of head-scratchers and curve balls like always.
Tommy, how convenient of you to let us hang on to the Kuechly dream. I was beginning to believe that ship had sailed.
The Fleener love of late is interesting. I would be very happy with Tannehill if we could hold on to our 46 and 51. I really think we’re going to get a couple good players there. Guys named Matt (or L.J.) aside, the second round has been pretty good to us.
The sentiment among Eagles fans seems to be that Cox will be long gone by 15, with even you suggesting he could go as high as 6, but every mock I see has Cox falling to the Eagles at 15. Cox is definitely one of those hot prospects right now though. Should be interesting to see what happens.
For me the ideal would be nabbing Cox and finding some way to move up and nab Fleener in the late 1st, which would really help our RZ passing issues. But that is probably pretty unlikely.
Multiple NFL teams have Cox rated as a Top 10 guy. Are those teams ahead of us? I’m not really allowed to say. I hope Cox does fall, but think it is unlikely at this point.
Cox + Fleener would be one heck of a draft.
Cox and David….better combo IMO…..top 5 defense..book it
If Cox is there around the 10th pick, it would make sense to trade up to get him. I still don’t think AR will pick a LB in the 1st round. DL is much more likely. If Cox is gone before the team can do anything, it would be time to trade back and get extra picks for quality TE, LB, CB, OT, etc. We can use some new players for future, IMO.
T-LAW:
Post-Jarred Page . . . what was the one area where the Eagles were weakest week to week? (Turnovers don’t count because (i) the ball takes funny bounces, (ii) Mike Vick’s going nowhere).
I’d argue the problem — post JP — was NOT run defense. The Eagles under Jim Johnson made the NFC title game in 2003 with a run defense worse than the 1973 Eagles. The Eagles under JJ had other similar seasons (though not as bad) and posted great records coupled with playoff success.
So . . . I’d argue that the Eagles’ worst area was the Red Zone — both on offense and defense. Take your choice.
QUESTION: What position and player — strictly speaking Rd 1 now — on the defensive side would best remedy a bad red-zone defense? A dominant pass-rusher? A SLB? A slot CB? Or a Safety?
* I like “The Kuech”. Would he more than marginally alter Red Zone outcomes?
* A good, young, physical slot corner would help . . . but a 1st round pick isn’t worth using on a slot corner.
* A new safety? Seems very unlikely.
* That leaves DL. I like “Fletch”. Would he a Red Zone difference maker? Hard to know.
On the offensive side, now that JPeters is gone, successful smash-mash football over the left side may become a fleeting and fond memory. And even if inclined, the Eagles won’t find a Jason Peters type in this draft — not Ryan Khalil or anyone else.
I think that leaves only receivers, both TEs and WRs.
Who among all the receivers in the 2012 draft would have the greatest impact in elevating the Eagles’ Red Zone performance?
* TE Coby Fleener? WR Justin Blackmon? WR M-Floyd? Others?
My vote is Coby Fleener. Or someone with his size, hands, and athleticism.
Again, the Eagles’ struggles the past 2-3 years has been in the Red Zone.
What single position — given the available players in this draft and within range of No. 15, or a trade up or down — brings the MOST impact to either side of the ball?
If we had a choice of Luke Kuelchy or Dontari Poe I’d be very happy. Can’t lose either way!
Poe is a guy that has been growing on me. I have read way to many times that his tape isn’t great and his production is poor, so that raises some very major red flags, but at the same time, we have Washburn as a Dline coach. If someone is going to get the most out of Poe, it would be Washburn. Of course, if Washburn does not believe in Poe, I trust his judgement. Part of me just sees this years JPP with Poe; a guy that if he succeeds, could be a dominant player in the league. Of course, there is certainly the potential for him to be a complete bust.
The picks the Eagles fans seemingly need to watch are Jacksonville at 7 (all but a lock to take a DL), Miami at 8 (if they pass on Tannehill, then what?), Carolina at 9 (again, all but a lock to take a DL), KC at 11 (wild card), Seattle at 12 (DL a major possibility).
Is there any scenario Melvin Ingram could fall? Let’s say Jags are crazy for Coples/Cox and snag one of them. Carolina takes Brockers, needing run D. KC takes anyone else, SEA gets the other of Coples/Cox? Dream scenario, yes. Impossible, I don’t think so.
Tommy, It would be interesting to see your 1-15 list of who you’d pick for Philly at 15 if on the board, starting with Luck or RG3. I assume the Eagles’ priorities are Kuechly followed by a bunch of DL. A wild card is Dre Kirkpatrick whom I think may be preferable to Cox for the team. Cox has a chance to be a Pro Bowler, but I can also see him becoming the next Brodrick Bunkley. Mel Ingram I suppose won’t fall but he’s considered 3-4 anyway. Not sure what the team would make of Coples and Upshaw. Coples has the look of a bust to me. The DL I really like is Nick Perry who is generally mocked low first.
I’m not sure it makes sense to list 1-15 since there are not 15 guys who the Eagles would want to take at 15. There are probably a few reasonable targets in that range. There might be a trade-up target, but I doubt it. And if none of the targets are there at 15, they will want to trade down.
That being said, I do think Dre Kirkpatrick is a possible candidate. Kind of flying under the radar due to our current surplus of corners, but he might also be able to play safety with his raw skills.
there may well not be 15 guys Philly would take, it may not make sense, but these things don’t deter me
Have you ever thought of doing a podcast Tommy? I would like to hear your take on a lot more things and it could be an easy way to answer a ton of questions quickly. I would also be interesting to get Jimmy, Sam, etc. in.
Your brilliant appearances on Eagles Fan Cast was how I found you.
Excellent point. We could have have PBR sponsor Tommy’s Power Hour. You should look at that Tommy. I’m sure we could find enough pudding to make it worth your while….just saying.
I realise that you are adding profiles and write ups daily, but on Scouts Notebook there is no space or slot for Ronnell Lewis, who must be a confusing player having so little game tape. WHere do you project him?
We have Ryans at LB, why do you (and others) keep talking about Luke at 15, it wont happen, if he was the LB Upgrade, we wouldn’t have traded for Ryans. Its not that I disagree he would be a good pick and a good SAM, but the Eagles just don’t value LBs enough to do this, they’re also stuck on Chaney who they envision as a pro bowl sam.
Trading for Ryan would seem to push the belief that they do not value linebackers a little to the side. They may have the history, but perhaps it’s changing.
Made the pick over at BGN. Quinton Coples.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2012/4/8/2934819/2012-bgn-community-mock-draft-pick-15-the-philadelphia-eagles
Ray Diddy did as well over at CSN Philly.
LANDRI!
Well, now the Eagles can skip the draft altogether. Adding more talent to a team with Landri on the roster must be against the rules somehow.
This is one Tommy must love:
Eagles Insider @EaglesInsider
#Eagles welcome back DT Derek Landri, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal.
And a nice shoutout from Spads.
Eagles Insider @EaglesInsider
Even though he only played in 12 games in 2011, Landri led the #Eagles with eight tackles for loss. @lawlornfl can relax now.
Ok, with Landri back, how does this change (if at all) our draft focus?
The draft priorities haven’t changed since the end of the season. If Kuechly is available, we take him.
Yes, but is there less possibility for trading up, say for Cox, as some have suggested him as a possible target?
Best day of my life.
EAGLES SIGN DERREK LANDRI!!!
I definitely see Cleveland taking Richardson. I think Holmgren will see him as his new Shaun Alexander. Such similar prospects.