Like most analysts, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay don’t agree.
In their latest mock draft, in which they both make a pick for each team, McShay and Kiper differ on who the Eagles will take with the 14th overall nfl pro shop pick and they don’t agree on the Eagles’ second round pick either.
Here is who McShay and Kiper have the Eagles taking in the first two rounds, with analysis of each round:
Kiper: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State: Conley, another riser after the combine, is the veteran of the three Buckeyes defensive backs I have going in the top 14 picks. Philadelphia let Nolan Carroll II walk in free agency after he started 16 games last season, and the Eagles brought in former first round pick Patrick Robinson on a one year deal to compete at corner. Coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense is thin on the boundaries.
McShay: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: I love this fit. Darren Sproles turns 34 in June, and Philly needs a versatile playmaker out of the backfield. McCaffrey has the skill set to be a really good running back and wide receiver in the NFL. He showed tremendous short area quickness at the combine (6.57 second three cone), which is readily apparent when watching McCaffrey’s route running.
Analysis: It would be very surprising to see the Eagles take McCaffrey at No. 14 overall, considering the depth they have at running back, and their interest in other backs later in the draft, such as Pittsburgh’s James Connor. This pick feels like a stretch.
Conley might also be a stretch at No. 14, but he does fill a very important position of need cornerback. The Eagles recently had Conley in for a visit, which shows they are seriously considering taking him with their first pick. Of the two picks, Conley is far more likely.
Kiper: Curtis Samuel, RB/WR: Carson Wentz has already gotten two new receivers in free agency (Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith), but he still lacks weapons. Samuel cheap jerseys is a tweener. He’s not an every down back, and he’s not big enough to be a full time receiver (74 catches and 97 rushes last season). So the Eagles could use the electric Samuel in a Darren Sproles type role just get him the ball in space.
McShay: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan: Kiper gave the Eagles a cornerback in Round 1 (Gareon Conley), but they could wait until Day 2 to upgrade their secondary, given the depth of this class at cornerback. Teams will have to investigate Lewis Recently being charged with domestic violence. He has natural cover skills, but off field concerns and sub optimal size (5 101/4, 188) could cause him to slide.
Analysis: Samuel would be a very interesting pick for the Eagles, as it could take care of two needs a running back and a young receiver with one pick. If head coach Doug Pederson has one strength, it is that he is good at game planning on how to best use his skill position players. Samuel would give him a new toy to play with on offense, wholesale discount jerseys and with Samuel’s 4.31 second 40 yard dash time, he could be the most dangerous player on the Eagles’ offense.
As for Lewis, this pick also feels like a stretch, as the Eagles are likely looking for taller cornerbacks, and Lewis as McShay mentions prefer taller cornerbacks.