As a Philadelphia sports fan I have a ridiculous amount of interest in the Philadelphia Eagles, and by extension what they do in the NFL Draft. With this being head coach Chip Kelly’s second year, he now has established himself as the leader of this team, which also means he has a plan. Every head coach has a plan, but usually a coach doesn’t know what to expect in their first year, therefore Chip Kelly now knows what to do, and how to do it.
Round 1: 22nd Overall Pick
Justin Gilbert (Cornerback) Oklahoma State
Justin Gilbert is my favorite person in this draft. There is a very real, very likely chance that he is not available when the Eagles pick. However, the recent reports are that Gilbert has struggled with separating too much from wide receivers in game, I am not concerned, but NFL teams will be. In his latest mock draft ESPN draft expert Todd McShay, has him going 25th overall to the San Diego Chargers. This would obviously mean that the Eagles are passing on him. If he is indeed available at the Eagles pick and they don’t draft him………..AHHHHHHHHHH!
Round 2: 42 Overall Pick (From Buffalo Bills for Bryce Brown (Running back) and 5th Round Pick
Allen Robinson (Wide Receiver) Penn State
This is what everyone wanted to see! Now Washington Redskins’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s replacement does not come in the first round as many people expect, but in the second round. Allen Robinson reminds me of Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall. He is big, he has great hands, and he runs great routes. The downside to Robinson is his speed, but if he can produce for Penn State, I am certain he can produce for the Eagles. The only scenario I see different here is if the Eagles choose to go for Cody Latimer of Indiana or Jordan Matthews of Vanderbilt.
Round 2: 54 Overall Pick
Kyle Van Noy (Linebacker) BYU
The best part about the trade is that the Eagles manage to keep their own second round pick, which they can use on defense. I love Kyle Van Noy, I personally think he belongs in the first round, which is why once again he may not make it back to the Eagles, but the great thing is, since the Eagles have that other second round pick in this scenario, they could take Van Noy higher if they feel he may not make it back to them, and draft Jordan Matthews here.
Round 3: 86 Overall
Deonne Buccanon (Safety) Washington State
Buccanon is a very solid safety with excellent coverage skills. Yet another blessing pick for the Eagles, Buccanon is in my opinion one of the five safeties in the draft. After this pick the Eagles’ draft would officially be a success as every area of need is addressed, and addressed well. Now we get to start having fun.
Round 4: 122 Overall
Jeff Janis (Wide Receiver) Saginaw Valley State
Who is Jeff Janis, and where is Saginaw Valley State? Both very valid questions. Jeff Janis is a wide receiver prospect that exploded at the NFL scouting combine, very few people know who he is because after getting injured in high school, he went from a five star recruit to a nobody. Now, Jeff Janis has exploded back into the world of football, however his fame was brief as once again no one knows who he is. He is basically a faster and more explosive Eric Decker, who is a wide receiver for the New York Jets. This means that Janis is an above average number two receiver but not a great number one receiver. In the fourth round this would be an awesome pick.
Round 7: 237 Overall
Wesley Johnson (Offensive Lineman) Vanderbilt
Wesley Johnson is basically everything and anything on the offensive line. The Eagles might draft him in the seventh round so that they have insurance in case of injury to one of their offensive lineman.
If the Eagles follow this draft, look for them to be real contenders in 2014.
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