Eagles’ post-Combine mock draft roundup

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

On April 26, the Eagles will draft at 32nd overall for the first time after winning Super Bowl LII. With the NFL Draft Combine wrapped up, multiple draft experts have released their post-combine mock drafts. See what the experts – and myself – are saying below. No two selections are the same

Will Brinson | CBS Sports

The Pick: Christian Kirk – WR – Texas A&M

Measureables: 5'10", 200lbs, 4.47 40yd dash, 20 reps on bench press, 35.5" vertical

Depending on what cuts the Eagles have to make (Torrey Smith?), it wouldn't be surprising to see them chase a little speed in the draft, especially if a guy like Kirk lands here.

NFL.com's bottom line: "Kirk is a well-built, mentally tough slot target whose game is built around pace more than explosiveness. His lack of speed and length make him less likely to impact games down the field, but his footwork, route tempo and hands should give him an opportunity to find catches underneath. Kirk's ability to help in the return game is a plus, but the difference between average and good as a receiver could depend on finding the right fit."

Ryan Wilson | CBS Sports

The Pick: Derrius Guice – RB – LSU

Measureables: 5'10", 212lbs, 4.49 40yd dash, 15 reps on bench press, 31.5" vertical

With LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles headed for free agency, Guice, who has drawn comparisons to Marshawn Lynch, would seem like a natural fit. Yes, Jay Ajayi and Super Bowl hero Corey Clement return (along with Wendell Smallwood) but as Blount proved in 2017, you can never have too many talented backs in a game where injuries can derail a season.

NFL.com's bottom line: " Evaluating Guice requires settling in for two full seasons of tape study as he was only healthy a fraction of the 2017 season. While Guice has some elusiveness and long speed, much of his success comes from his furious running style and ability to create yardage after contact. Guice's yards per touch was two yards higher over his first two seasons compared to last year. Like Leonard Fournette the year before, teams may be willing to lock in on his sophomore tape to create their evaluations and grades. Guice's running style could lead to a shorter career, but he has a chance to make a big splash early."

Chris Rolling | Bleacher Report

The Pick: Mark Andrews – TE – Oklahoma

Measureables: 6'5", 256lbs, 4.67 40yd dash, 17 reps on bench press, 31.0" veritcal

Rolling did not offer a write up on this prospect

NFL.com's bottom line: "Andrews is a former wideout who plays with a receiver's mentality in a tight end's body. He is a pass-catcher with a deft feel for route adjustments and operating in space against zone coverage. Andrews is a big, reliable target who doesn't need a spacious catch window to haul it in. Despite his size, he lacks the desire and fundamentals as a blocker which will hurt his standing with some teams. He should be able to find early catches and production as a solid pass-catching tight end in the league."

Matt Miller | Bleacher Report

The Pick: Will Hernandez  – G – UTEP

Measureables: 6'2", 348lbs, 5.15 40yd dash, 37 reps on bench press, 24.0" vertical

The Philadelphia Eagles rode a dynamic offense to the Super Bowl and were able to outmaneuver the New England Patriots for a ring. To stay on top of the league for another season, the Eagles can look to improve the middle of the offensive line with an agile mauler in Will Hernandez.

Hernandez was the standout lineman at the Senior Bowl and had another good showing in drills at the combine. He's a big man (6'2", 348 lbs) with excellent ability to lock on and drive out defenders. With Hernandez clearing the way for Jay Ajayi, the Eagles run game could take off.

NFL.com's bottom line: "Four-year starter at left guard and the most highly-decorated offensive linemen in UTEP history. Hernandez possesses a rare combination of power, balance, and athletic ability. He is a plus run blocker with the anchor and footwork to handle himself in pass protection as well. Though he lacks height and length teams would like, it shouldn't hurt his stock much. Hernandez should be able to step in as an immediate starter with a high ceiling."

Daniel Jereiah | NFL.com

The Pick: Isaiah Oliver – CB – Colorado

Measureables: 6'1", 190lbs, 4.5 40yd dash, did not participate in bench press or vertical leap. 

The Eagles have the luxury of simply taking the best player available, and Oliver would be a perfect scheme fit.

NFL.com's bottom line: "Oliver possesses an outstanding combination of size, speed and length and those traits are highly coveted by NFL general managers. There are coverage holes in Oliver's game and he needs to play with increased toughness, but he's just scratching the surface of what his talent could allow him to do on the next level with more experience and technique work. Oliver has a high ceiling as a bump-and-run, lockdown corner, but might benefit from a limited role his rookie season."

Chris Burke | The Athletic

The Pick: Brian O'Neil – T – Pittsburgh

Measureables: 6'7". 305lbs, 4.82 40yd dash, 22 reps on bench press, 29.5" vertical

The Eagles might be adding to their pick stash via a Nick Foles trade. If not, they almost have to use their lone Day 1 or 2 selection on an offensive tackle. While O'Neill is rough around the edges, his athleticism would give him a strong base within the Eagles' zone-heavy rushing offense.

NFL.com's bottom line: "O'Neill has good length and is a terrific athlete, but his inconsistencies at the Senior Bowl practices will be hard for teams to get out of their minds. What might be even more troubling is the way he seemed to panic and lose technique in certain matchups. O'Neill is a classic zone scheme blocker, but teams may take a look at him as a move guard with tackle potential rather than locking in with him as a blind-side tackle. O'Neill needs to get thicker and stronger or swing tackle could be his ceiling."

Todd McShay | ESPN

The Pick: D.J. Chark Jr. – WR – LSU

Measureables: 6'3". 199lbs, 4.34 40yd dash, 16 reps on bench press, 40.0" vertical

The Super Bowl champions have the luxury of drafting for value, for a roster without many holes. Chark is a raw route-runner but has the tools to develop. His stock is on the rise after a great Senior Bowl week and combine workout, punctuated with a 4.34 40 and 40-inch vertical jump. He could fill Torrey Smith's role as an explosive vertical WR in the future.

NFL.com's bottom line: "Tall and fast, Chark is a linear route-runner who may need a limited route tree, but who has the potential to back safeties off the line of scrimmage. Chark will be coveted by play-action passing attacks looking to win with chunk plays down the field, but he'll need to improve his ball skills to take advantage of all that speed. Chark could struggle early on against press coverage, but he has the ability to become a solid WR2."

Jesse Larch | Sports Talk Philly

The Pick: Leighton Vander Esche – OLB – Boise State

Measureables: 6'4", 256lbs, 4.65 40yd dash, 20 reps on bench press, 39.5" vertical

Vander Esche is a physical specimen who combines elite athleticism with excellent instincts. With Nigel Bradham expected to leave in free agency, and Mychal Kendricks's long term future also in question, the Eagles pick up a linebacker that they can pair with Jordan Hicks for years to come.

NFL.com's bottom line: "Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football. His production totals against both the run and pass are rare for being a first-year starter and with a frame that is primed for more muscle, his NFL ceiling is high. Vander Esch might benefit from a reduced role his rookie season while he improves his play strength and becomes more skilled at taking on blocks. He's an every-down linebacker with very good starting potential and the talent to fill up a stat sheet."

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