The Eagles' trade for DeMeco Ryans has accomplished what had been unthinkable only a few weeks ago -- Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly is no longer the most popular projection to the Eagles with the 15th overall pick in the first round. With less than a month before the NFL Draft, Kuechly is still among those players linked to the Eagles, but the mantle of mock draft prom king has been passed from Kuechly to Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Of the 15 mock drafts surveyed below, Cox is pegged as the Eagles' pick in five. Eight of the 15 mock drafts project the Eagles to select a defensive tackle, while five different players are linked to Philadelphia.
As always, click on the name of the mock drafter to read the entire projection.
| Mock Draft Tracker | ||
| Site | Selection | Last Updated |
| NFL.com (Charley Casserly) | Mark Barron, S, Alabama | March 23 |
| Comment: "Philadelphia's Wide 9 defense needs a physical downhill safety." | ||
| NFL.com (Chad Reuter) | Michael Brockers, DT, LSU | March 30 |
| Comment: "Andy Reid has used his first-round pick on the defensive line four times in the last eight years. He's already addressed a need at middle linebacker by trading for DeMeco Ryans, so adding a powerful young player like Brockers should only improve the run defense." | ||
| NFL.com (Charles Davis) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | March 23 |
| Comment: "The 'Wide 9' needs inside help, and Cox is a force." | ||
| NFL.com (Bucky Brooks) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | March 16 |
| Comment: "The Eagles' struggles against the run have been pinned on the young linebackers, but the inability to control the interior triangle was due to their inconsistency at defensive tackle. Cox is a high-motor playmaker with outstanding athleticism to give the Eagles' defense a jolt." | ||
| ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.) | Michael Brockers, DT, LSU | March 7 |
| Comment: "In Brockers the Eagles get a big, active player who can both take up blocks and penetrate. He weighed in at 322 pounds at the NFL combine, heavier than I've ever had him listed, but I don't see him as a prototype 3-4 nose tackle. My guess is he'll play a little lighter once he gets into camp, and the Eagles will benefit, particularly against the run." | ||
| ESPN (Todd McShay) | Mark Barron, S, Alabama | March 29 |
| Comment: "The Eagles began addressing their linebacker need by trading for DeMeco Ryans, so Barron makes sense in the back end. He is the most complete safety in the draft, offering a physical presence in run support and the range to play the point in coverage." | ||
| CBS Sports (Rob Rang) | Mark Barron, S, Alabama | March 26 |
| Comment: "Barron is the unquestioned top prospect at the safety position this year and is both physical against the run and a ball hawk. Considering the passing attacks in the NFC East, investing in an all-purpose defensive back with Barron's instincts and pro-readiness seems like a good fit." | ||
| CBS Sports (Dane Brugler) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | March 26 |
| Comment: "This seems to be a popular slot for the tackling machine out of Boston College, but Kuechly to the Eagles just makes sense. If there is ever a sure-thing in this draft class, it's Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. He isn't overly flashy or speedy, but his instincts are off the charts and he plays with a nonstop motor on every play, reminiscent of a Zach Thomas-type linebacker." | ||
| Scouts Notebook (Matt Alkire) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | March 26 |
| Comment: "At this pick I'd expect the Eagles to look at Cox and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly as a possible SAM LB, however I expect them to sign another linebacker by the draft. Hopefully they get someone like Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Cox is in our opinion the best DT in the draft and would be an outstanding fit in Jim Washburn's defensive scheme – or anyone else's for that matter." | ||
| FoxSports.com (Peter Schrager) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | March 29 |
| Comment: "There were questions about Kuechly's speed heading into the Combine, but he put those questions to rest with a blazing 4.5 40-yard dash. He's been compared to Sean Lee, without the durability and injury issues. Kuechly's considered a first-day NFL starter. Even though the Eagles signed inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Kuechly could be a good pick." | ||
| National Football Post (Wes Bunting) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | March 21 |
| Comment: "Cox is the kind of potential three-technique who can create behind the line of scrimmage and stop plays before they start. The Eagles don't have a huge need at DT, but Cox could still mature into a playmaker inside, at a position where Philly lacks an impact guy." | ||
| SportsIllustrated.com (Don Banks) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | March 23 |
| Comment: "The DeMeco Ryans trade means the Eagles have their 2012 starting middle linebacker already on their roster. That frees up Philly to look at several positions in the first round, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and safety among them. Cox is the draft's third-rated DT, and while the position isn't an urgent need, you know how Andy Reid loves his big guys up front." | ||
| The Sideline View (Lance Zierlein) | Michael Brockers, DT, LSU | March 27 |
| Comment: "Brockers may not make it past the Chiefs, but if he does, the Eagles will be salivating. Brockers plays with power against the run and while he's not a great pass rusher, the Eagles need a run stuffer much more than another pass rusher." | ||
| Optimum Scouting (Eric Galko) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | March 26 |
| Comment: "Despite the DeMeco Ryans trade, I don't think the Eagles have finished their linebacker need. Kuechly/Ryans both could play multiple linebacker spots, and they need more than one new starter." | ||
| Pro Football Weekly (Nolan Nawrocki) | Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina | March 26 |
| Comment: "The Eagles made a run at Julius Peppers several years ago but were unable to land him. Coples is not quite as gifted and brings more issues about his competitiveness, but DL coach Jim Washburn has made his name maximizing underachievers. Coples can be special inside or outside if he plays up to his potential." | ||
