With the this year's NFL Draft a little over a week away, it's time to take a look across the NFL universe and find out who the analysts are projecting to the Eagles in the first round. Most experts deem the secondary to be the Eagles' top priority as seven of the nine mock drafts surveyed project a defensive back to be the Eagles' first selection. Southern Cal safety Taylor Mays garnered the most attention, with three different projections tabbing him as the Eagles' pick.
| Mock Draft Tracker | ||
| Site | Selection | Last Updated |
| NFL.com (Pat Kirwin) | Taylor Mays, S (USC) | April 6 |
| Comment: The Eagles, who have been active in the trade business lately, may not be done; they have accumulated 11 picks already. Mays is a unique athlete and could bring a dimension to a defense that has been missing since Brian Dawkins left for Denver. | ||
| NFL.com (Charles Davis) | Carlos Dunlap, DE (Florida) | April 9 |
| Comment: The Eagles need a pass rusher opposite Trent Cole. They are counting on revving up this talented youngster's motor on a full-time basis. | ||
| ESPN (Mel Kiper, Jr.) | Kareem Jackson, CB (Alabama) | April 7 |
| Comment: There are still some injury question marks around Ellis Hobbs, and with the addition of the 37th pick in the McNabb trade, the Eagles can strengthen their CB group and then add a safety value such as Nate Allen or Major Wright in Round 2 and really upgrade the secondary. Jackson is fluid and displays exceptional anticipation. | ||
| ESPN (Todd McShay) | Kyle Wilson, CB (Boise State) | April 7 |
| Comment: OLB Sean Weatherspoon and S Taylor Mays are possibilities here but Wilson is our highest-rated remaining player and his skills as a press cover corner would fit well on an Eagles defense that recently traded away Sheldon Brown. | ||
| Sports Illustrated (Don Banks) | Taylor Mays, S (USC) | April 7 |
| Comment: The Eagles have a lot of picks to play with, and with the second-rounder they got from Washington in hand, a trade-up for a safety like Eric Berry is a rumor that makes some sense. But barring something that dramatic, sticking at No. 24 and taking the physically gifted Mays is a solid option. | ||
| Scout.com (Chris Steuber) | Devin McCourty, CB (Rutgers) | April 5 |
| Comment: The Eagles need help on defense, especially on the D-Line and in the secondary. There are a few players to consider, but McCourty gives the Eagles the physical CB that can replace Sheldon Brown and fits their aggressive defensive structure best. | ||
| FOX Sports (Peter Schrager) | Taylor Mays, S (USC) | April 9 |
| Comment: A year removed from Brian Dawkins' departure, safety is still a major need in Philly. In Taylor Mays, the Eagles will get a three-time All-American and a playmaker that can contribute right away. | ||
| WalterFootball.com | Kyle Wilson, CB (Boise State) | April 12 |
| Comment: Kyle Wilson is one of the better players available at this juncture. He'll be the pick if the Steelers, Texans and Packers pass on him. | ||
| ScoutsNotebook.com | Mike Iupati, G (Idaho) | April 12 |
| Comment: This is the Philadelphia Eagles taking the best offensive guard in the entire draft without question and the best player available. Iupati is an absolutely dominant lineman that destroys everything in his path and simply slips this far because he is an offensive guard. | ||
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 10:50 a.m., April 13
