Free agency is upon us, but before the rumors and contracts start flying, we take a look at who the experts think the Eagles will select with the fourth overall pick in April's draft.
Oregon defensive end/linebacker Dion Jordan is now the most popular pick of our 24 pundits, garnering six selections. Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner is next with five votes. Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Alabama guard Chance Warmack and Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher each received three selections. Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel and Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson round out or Mock Draft Tracker, each receiving two votes.
To read the entire projection, click on the name of the expert who made the selection. Click here to view last week's Mock Draft Tracker ...
| Mock Draft Tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
| Site | Selection | Last Updated |
| ESPN (Mel Kiper, Jr.) | Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama | February 7 |
| Comment: "I noted in the previous mock that on a per-play basis, rookie Brandon Boykin might have been the best player in the Eagles secondary toward the end of the season. The Eagles could see a number of personnel changes with the new regime, but they can't afford to fall off significantly in the secondary in a division with Eli Manning, Robert Griffin III and Tony Romo. You might expect Chip Kelly to score points, but he's always put a great emphasis on his defense too. Milliner has elite grades in terms of awareness and ball skills, and he's a physical corner who can push wideouts off routes. And he can flat-out tackle." | ||
| ESPN (Todd McShay) | Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama | March 6 |
| Comment: "Offensive tackle Eric Fisher could be an option here, but the Eagles' bigger need is on defense, seeing as Jason Peters, center Jason Kelce and right offensive tackle Todd Herremans are expected to be at full strength in 2013 ... Milliner is the only top-tier cornerback in this class. He also answered questions about his speed with an official 40 time of 4.37 at the combine." | ||
| SI.com (Don Banks) | Chance Warmack, G, Alabama | February 27 |
| Comment: "The Michael Vick re-signing fairly well convinced me that Chip Kelly is going to make do with what's already on hand in Philly this year on the quarterback front. But getting a better foundation built in front of an Eagles quarterback is the most pressing issue Kelly faces. Warmack is the best guard prospect to hit the NFL in many years, but Philadelphia could easily turn in the card for Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher as well." | ||
| FOX Sports (Peter Schrager) | Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama | February 14 |
| Comment: "Michael Vick will be Chip Kelly's starting quarterback in 2013. Will Nick Foles be Vick's backup? We'll see how the Eagles proceed in the coming weeks, but regardless of who's under center or the understudy to the guy who's under center — the Eagles need to improve their defensive backfield. Nnamdi Asomugha's best days are behind him, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie can't tackle, and the rest of the corners are just "guys." Milliner isn't just a "guy," he's the next in a long line of great Alabama corners to enter the NFL Draft. He'll be a good fit in Philly — playing for whomever's coaching them next season." | ||
| NFL.com (Bucky Brooks) | Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon | March 4 |
| Comment: "Chip Kelly certainly knows Jordan's game and potential better than most, given that these two spent five years together at Oregon. Thus, it would be understandable for Philly to gamble on one of the most athletic edge players in the draft, based on Jordan's production and exceptional combine workout." | ||
| NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah) | Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon | March 1 |
| Comment: "The Eagles could easily go with a cornerback at this spot but they should be able to address that need in the second round. This move would reunite Jordan with both his college head coach and defensive line coach." | ||
| NFL.com (Charles Davis) | Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma | March 5 |
| Comment: "Johnson's athleticism wowed at the Combine. He's an excellent fit in Philly, with the expected tempo change on offense under Chip Kelly." | ||
| NFL.com (Gil Brandt) | Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan | February 26 |
| Comment: "Fisher (6-7 1/4, 306) ran real well and was strong; in short, he looked to be every bit what I thought he was. He'll be one of those guys who starts at left tackle for a long time. The Eagles could use the offensive line help." | ||
| NFL.com (Albert Breer) | Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama | February 6 |
| Rotoworld.com (Josh Norris) | Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah | February 28 |
| Comment: "Many will question this selection after Star was given an incomplete medical report due to a heart issue. Keep in mind, the medical wasn't failed, doctors just want the massive defensive lineman to receive multiple opinions. Lotulelei might be classified as a nose tackle, but he is much more than that and adds a lot of versatility to the Eagles' front seven." | ||
| CBSSports.com (Dane Brugler) | Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M | March 4 |
| Comment: "Just like other positions on the Eagles depth chart, offensive tackle looked to be a strength, but injuries have really taken a toll on this team. Although Jason Peters injury situation will be a factor in Philadelphia choosing a tackle, Joeckel has the chance to grow into one of the NFL's best." | ||
| CBSSports.com (Rob Rang) | Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama | March 4 |
| Comment: "The Eagles' secondary was a mess in 2012, surrendering a team-record 33 touchdowns. Expensive veterans Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were huge disappointments and it's possible that neither will be with the team next season. The physical, long-armed Milliner would be an immediate upgrade at a position new head coach Chip Kelly valued highly while at Oregon. Milliner revealed at the combine that he will need to undergo surgery to repair a partially torn labrum but the tough, long-armed cornerback is expected to be fine in time for training camp and so the injury shouldn't impact his stock." | ||
| CBSSports.com (Pete Prisco) | Dion Jordan, OLB/DE, Oregon | February 25 |
| Comment: "Chip Kelly looks to his old school to get a pass rusher." | ||
| OptimumScouting.com (Eric Galko) | Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan | March 1 |
| Comment: "After an injury-filled season, the Eagles could go several directions with this pick. But adding quality offensive linemen is a must, and they'll likely have their pick of talented pass blockers. Fisher's versatility to play the left or right side, along with his athletic upside for the up-tempo Chip Kelly offense, makes him the choice over Luke Joeckel." | ||
| NationalFootballPost.com (Russ Lande) | Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan | March 1 |
| Comment: "For Chip Kelly's offense to succeed he needs offensive linemen that can block effectively out in space. Fisher combined with a healthy Jason Peters would give their offensive line a big boost and also provides insurance in the event that Peters does not get back to his pre-injury form." | ||
| USA Today (Tony Pauline) | Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon | February 27 |
| Comment: "Jordan is a natural fit for the 3-4 defense and a good fit for Chip Kelly, his former college coach." | ||
| NFL.com (Scott Pioli) | Chance Warmack, G, Alabama | February 22 |
| Comment: "The Eagles need help on their offensive line. Warmack is the best player in this draft at this point in time." | ||
| NFL.com (Mike Tannenbaum) | Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah | February 23 |
| Comment: "A two-time team captain at Utah, Lotulelei is a great complement to the finesse players of Philadelphia as a big, strong, stout guy." | ||
| NFL.com (Brian Billick) | Chance Warmack, G, Alabama | February 25 |
| Comment: "Quite possibly the cleanest player on the board. Landing Warmack and getting a couple of healthy players back could make this a good offensive line." | ||
| NFL.com (Charlie Casserly) | Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah | February 24 |
| Comment: "You go to the 3-4 defense, you need a nose tackle." | ||
| CBSSports.com (Will Brinson) | Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon | February 25 |
| Comment: "Yes it's convenient to project Jordan to his old coach Chip Kelly since Kelly's now running the Eagles. And maybe a defensive tackle -- with the release of Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson -- makes more sense here. I think Kelly gets his guy." | ||
| Yahoo! Sports (Doug Farrar) | Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma | February 27 |
| Comment: "Johnson's stock has been rising since a dominant Senior Bowl, and his combine tests proved what he already knew -- he's a very mobile lineman with freakish athletic tendencies. New head coach Chip Kelly may adapt some of his Oregon offensive principles for the NFL, but don't expect him to stray from the idea of a multiple zone-blocking system that provides optimal flexibility. Perhaps more than any other lineman in this class, Johnson has the pure athleticism to bring it in Kelly's schemes." | ||
| CBSSports.com (Pat Kirwan) | Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M | March 5 |
| Comment: "The Eagles should take a long hard look at Geno Smith but they will come back around for a guy like EJ Manuel. Todd Herremans told me he's ready to go back to guard if the team gets a big-time tackle." | ||
| Iggles Blitz (Tommy Lawlor) | Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon | March 6 |
| Comment: "This isn't a matter of linking Chip Kelly with one of his former players. Jordan is a very gifted prospect that all 32 teams will have interest in. He had a terrific showing at the Combine. He looked like the most natural pass rusher there. Put on the game tape and Jordan stands out there. He can fly off the edge." | ||
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