Oct 11, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes in for the sack on Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Jacob Huesman (14) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles must decide whether addressing their needs is the smartest move or taking the “Best Player Available” is the right move with that first pick in this draft. I want to see them take the “Best Player Available” with that 14th pick.
There’s no question that the Eagles have desperate needs at the cornerback position, but I want to see them grab the highest rated player on their draft board when they make the selection in the first round. If for some reason, there’s an edge pass rusher, like Derek Barnett, Solomon Thomas or Taco Charlton, who is the highest-rated player, I want them to select him. If that player is a wide receiver, like Corey Davis, Mike Williams, or John Ross, I want them to select him. The same is true with a running back, like Darvin Cook, Christian McCaffery or Leonard Fournette.
Some of the most successful franchises in the NFL draft the Best Player Available in the first few rounds, then they address their needs after that. They ignore their needs and draft the highest rated player on their draft board, because they have learned that you can’t afford to get caught reaching early and miss the pick. Many times the needs of a team will blind them into reaching on a player that shouldn’t be drafted at the pick or even in that round.
Reaching can make a team deaf to alarms about the player’s character. Reaching can make a team blind to the fact that the guy doesn’t have the passion to a great NFL player. Remember when the Eagles drafted the fireman. The Eagles can’t afford to get caught reaching on that 14th pick.
Of course, a player ability or inability to stay healthy is part of their grade. A player, who has already shown that they have challenges staying healthy, will see their grade suffer because of it.
Couldn’t have said it any better. I agree 100%! Nice signing of Chris Long today. Adds some depth along the D line
Yes. I have a feeling we are moving up or down in this draft though.
I’ve checked out a Few Prospect Lists (Draft Scouts.Com/Walter Camp/Charlie Campbell/NFL.Com/ESPN) and came up with a List of Players who Rank anywhere from an average from #8 thru #20 that the Eagles will likely Select if they Remain at #14..
(Do Note there are always 1-2-3 Players that get Drafted much earlier than Projected in the 1st Round which drives other Players down the Board…In many cases, QB’s go earlier than they are Rated, based on Teams having a Big Need at the Position, which also drives other Higher Rated Position Players down the Draft Board)
Most Recent List of Players Ranked from 8th to 20th by Draft Scouts.Com
8th – DE Derek Barnett – (Tennessee 6-3 259lbs)
9th – LB Reuben Foster – (Alabama 6-0 229lbs)
10th – RB Dalvin Cook – (Fla State 5-10 210lbs)
11th – RB Leonard Fournette – (LSU 6-0 240lbs)
12th – QB Mitch Trubinsky – (UNC 6-2 222lbs)
13th – LB Hassan Reddick – (Temple 6-1 237lbs)
14th – Safety Jabril Peppers – (Michigan 5-11 213lbs)
15th – WR Corey Davis – (Western Michigan 6-3 209lbs)
16th – QB Deshaun Watson – (Clemson 6-2 221lbs)
17th – OT Ryan Ramczyck – (Wisconsin 6-6 310lbs)
18th – WR John Ross – (Washington 5-11 188lbs)
19th – CB Marlon Humphrey – (Alabama 6-0 197lbs)
20th – DT Malik McDowell – (Mich State 6-6 295lbs)
Other Notable Players that have been Rated in the Top 20 on various Lists by Walter Camp,Charlie Campbell, Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks
WR Mike Williams – Clemson
DE Taco Charlton – Michigan
OT Cam Robinson – Alabama
LB Zac Cunningham – Vanderbilt
RB Chris McCaffrey – Stanford
CB Tre’Davious WHite – LSU
CB Gareon Conley – Ohio St
2017 NFL Mock Draft for the 1st Round (Including Trades) up to the Eagles Pick at #14
1) Browns – DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M)
2) Panthers – Trade with 49ers – DE Solomon Thomas (Stanford)
3) Bears – DT Jonathon Allen (Alabama)
4) Jaguars – RB Leonard Fournette – (LSU)
5) Titans – CB Marshon Lattimore- (Ohio State)
6) NO Saints – Trade with Jets who Select Safety – Jamal Adams – (LSU)
7) Chargers – CB/Safety Malik Hooker – (Ohio State)
8) 49ers – QB Matt Trubinsky – (North Carolina)
9) Bengals – DE Taco Charlton – (Michigan)
10) Bills – WR Corey Davis – (Western Michigan)
11) NY Jets – QB Deshaun Watson – (Clemson)
12) Browns – LB Ruben Foster – (Alabama)
13) Arizona – TE OJ Howard – (Alabama)
14) EAGLES –
They ain’t taking oj Howard lol