Perfect Picks: Philadelphia Eagles
By Alex Chinery
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Draft Network Mock machine and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight five players that could help each team. This will include a ‘flex’ pick where we give you two ways a potential pick could go depending on how the board falls. All in all you will get picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper. Today I take a crack at the 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Round 1 - Pick 21 - Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Whilst the Eagles have a glaring need in the secondary Murray is a do it all linebacker who is capable of affecting the play on all downs. With a relentless motor and blue chip athleticism Murray will fit in well in the famously blue collar city of Philadelphia. Murray’s sideline to sideline speed will plug a hole that has been apparent on the Eagles defense for some time.
An underrated leader of the OU defensive unit in the past two seasons, Murray brings a much needed edge to this Eagles unit. Combined with his all round ability Murray could develop into a key chess piece in Jim Schwartz’s defense. Murray elevates the players around him, something the Eagles need.
Round 2 - Pick 53 - AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
For the first five minutes of the National Championship game, AJ Terrell looked like a top five pick at corner. In the end he would put another inconsistent showing on tape against the offensive juggernaut that was 2019 LSU.
. @ajterrell_8 putting in work!
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Terrell has shown flashes of super smooth motion in coverage but has also been prone to mental errors against top tier receivers. These mental errors allowed teams some success against Terrell in the later half of the season; combined with his lack of production as a ball hawk led to teams throwing at him.
This is a boom or bust pick for a team who needs to hit on secondary players with a high ceiling. Terrell has the potential to be a top corner, but the potential for busting on this pick is high.
Flex Pick - Pick 53 - Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
An underrated receiving threat who turned heads with his hugely impressive combine performance. DPJ’s 44.5 inch vertical leap is only an inch and a half below the record at the NBA combine. For a football player that kind of explosive power is incredible.
DPJ suffered from frankly abhorrent quarterback play at Michigan in an offensive system that belongs in the late 1990’s. His large frame and ability after the catch would fit well in the modern day NFL. Despite only having a limited route tree, the athletic upside of Peoples-Jones could be a game changer for the Eagles offence.
Mid Round Gem - Pick 117 - Shane Lemieux, IOL, Oregon
Injuries to young star quarterback Carson Wentz have held back this Eagles team since their Super Bowl run. The team is set at tackle with former first round pick Andre Dillard backing up two potential hall of famers. However the interior of the line could use a re-enforcement to push this line over the top.
Lemieux is a smart guard who should have no problem fitting into an NFL scheme. A slight lack of functional athleticism will see him fall but Lemieux has the potential to be a starter at the position.
Late Round Sleeper - Pick 150 - Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami
Former first round pick Derek Barnett hasn’t lived up to his billing on the edge for the Eagles. Garvin is a former four star recruit with a freakish body that is NFL ready. In spite of a small arsenal of pass rush moves Garvin executes what he knows with enough skill to win. A rookie year as a situational rusher with a role that blossoms over time could allow the Eagles to develop a star on the edge.
Draft in full
21. Kenneth Murray LB Oklahoma
53. AJ Terrell CB Clemson
85. Denzel Mims WR Baylor
117. Shane Lemieux IOL Oregon
148. Joe Bachie Jr LB Michigan State
150. Jonathan Garvin EDGE Miami
170. Anthony Gordon QB Washington State
Feature Image Credit: Maize & Brew
alex chinery
CFB/NFL analyst
ONE OF THE ‘COLLEGE CHAPS’. A TEXAS LONGHORNS AND GREEN BAY PACKERS FAN. A HUGE NFL DRAFT ENTHUSIAST, ALEX HAS BEEN FOLLOWING FOOTBALL FOR OVER 10 YEARS, SCOUTING FOR THREE AND WRITING FOR TWO. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @BYALEXCHINERY