The next phase of the mock draft process has come and gone, with draftniks across the internet posting their post-combine NFL draft projections. There's no consensus as to who the Eagles will pick with the 24th pick of the first round, but here's a sampling of some players who could be potential fits for the Eagles early on.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com
Projected Eagles pick: Maurkice Pouncey, OC/OG, Florida
"The Eagles have a hole to fill in the center of their offensive line, and Pouncey can step in. He's not a mauler but is a cerebral, versatile talent who can play any of the three interior line positions. He's an ideal fit."
Todd McShay, ESPN.com
Projected Eagles pick: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
"Kindle's versatility and ability to get to the quarterback make him a good fit. He would give the Eagles much-needed help at outside linebacker and could make it tougher for teams to double-team DE Trent Cole by lining up opposite him in obvious passing situations."
Chris Steuber, Scout.com
Projected Eagles pick: Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal
"The Eagles need help on defense, especially at DE and FS. The premier safeties are gone, so they target an impact DE in Griffen."
Don Banks, Sports Illustrated
Projected Eagles pick: Taylor Mays, FS, Southern Cal
"Mays will make it three safeties in the first round, and that's quite a feat when you consider that only one safety (the Giants' Kenny Phillips) was selected in the first round the past two years combined. Of Mays, one scout told me: 'Mays is such a freak athletically. He's not as good a player as Eric Berry and Earl Thomas, but all three will go in the first round. You have to ignore the tape a bit with Mays, but somebody will fall in love with him.'"
Wes Bunting, National Football Post
Projected Eagles pick: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
"If the Eagles want to beat Dallas next season, they need to add a defensive lineman who can match up with the size and power of the Cowboys massive offensive line. Cody can do just that."
WalterFootball.com
Projected Eagles pick: Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal
"Everson Griffen has great athleticism and tremendous upside, but he hasn't performed up to those standards on the field the past two seasons. However, it should be noted that Andy Reid has taken a chance on underachievers before (Jason Peters, Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, etc.)"
So it certainly seems like the Eagles have a lot of options if they keep the 24th pick. Safety, defensive end, defensive tackle, offensive line and linebacker are all considered areas of need. That's good news because the Eagles will not draft for position, they will take the best available player, but that player could likely play a "need" position.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 7:30 p.m., March 13
