2011 NFL Mock Draft: Philadelphia Eagles. Will Jimmy Smith be available?

The seven round mock I’ll be using for the Philadelphia Eagles is http://www.draftsite.com/nfl/mock-draft/2011. Unfortunately, it  appears it was updated after I started writing this so it’s out of whack now, but the round values will probably be the same.

Even though I actually like what draftside did with the Eagles in this mock draft, I’m going to make all different picks in each round. Which kind of handcuffs me because like I said I actually like what draftside did with the Eagles in this mock so there’s a few picks I deviated from what draftsite did, but ideally I probably would have chosen the same player.

1st round 23rd overall- Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

draftsite pick: Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith to the Eagles is becoming a consensus pick, but I don’t think it will happen without the Eagles moving up. A week or so ago I posted a link to an article that talks about a much underpublicized issue. NFL personnel men have found out that Jimmy Smith has shown a lot more maturity the past couple of years at Colorado and that his character concerns are actually blown out or proportion by the media. I have been stead-fast in my believe that Smith is a borderline top ten talent in this draft (though our consensus big board has him rated lower) and I don’t think he’ll last to 23rd overall. Gabe Carimi might though. Carimi would be a nice addition to the Eagles offensive line and based on draftsites mock is the best option available.

2nd Round 54th Overall-Jurrell Casey, DT, USC

Draftsite pick: Danny Watkins

Former NFL scout Dave Razzano says about Casey, a few years from now in mock re-drafts Casey will be a top 7 player. The Eagles defensive linemen are pretty good, but this is an area that could be upgraded. The Eagles Defensive tackle spot is rarely discussed as a position that could be upgraded. Casey would be a great fit with the Eagles because he can create pressure up the middle to add to their pass rush. The two ways to improve a weak pass defense? get better cornerbacks, get more guys who can hit the passer.

3rd Round 85th Overall Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

Draftsite pick: Austin Pettis

House has great talent. He has good size, good speed, and is fluid. Like a lot of the top cornerbacks this year, he didn’t rack up the INTs (neither did Amukamara, Jimmy Smith, or Brandon Harris), but that doesn’t matter at this point in the third round. I don’t know if he’ll ever be a pro-bowl starting cornerback, but he’ll be an excellent complement to the pro bowler Asante Samuel.

4th Round 104th-Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska

draftsite: Casey Matthews

Paul is a good value for the 4th round and is a good fit for a west coast offense. Maclin and DeSean Jackson are great at getting deep down the field, but they lack size. Niles Paul can be a better version of Jason Avant as a guy who gets the tough yardage because he also has good ability with the ball in his hands. Paul is sneaky good and a good pick here in the 4th round, even if it’s not the Eagles biggest need.

4th Round 120th-Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina

Draftsite pick: Lawrence Guy

Linebacker is an area of definite need for the Eagles. They can use guys on the outside and the inside. Sturdivant is either a middle linebacker or weak side linebacker in most systems in the National Football League and that’s ok with the Eagles because they don’t have great options at either spot.

5th Round 149th overall-Da’Rel Scott

Draftsite pick: Will Rackley, OL, Leigh

Da’Rel Scott is 210 pounds runs a 4.35 40 and catch the ball out of the backfield. McCoy is a very good player, but they could use depth at the running back position. Will Rackley is very enticing here and might be the best pick and the pick I’d probably make if I wasn’t going with different picks for each one draftsite made so I turn to Da’rel Scott who has the potential to be a steal in this draft with his size/speed combination. He also has similar production to last year’s Jahvid Best, but is bigger (not quite as fast though still fast). The Eagles and Andy Reid would be able to maximize his talents.

5th Round 153rd overall-DeMarcus Van Dkye, CB, The U

Draftsite pick: Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State

Watch VanDyke has he can be a player that goes much higher than anticipated. I’ve heard he’s being compared to Dominique Rodgers Cromartie in league circles because of his excellent blend of height and athleticism. Rodgers Cromartie actually came into the league more raw than VanDyke who was pretty good at Miami, just overshadowed by the excellent Brandon Harris.

The only other options I considered here (other than what draftsite chose) were Joseph Barksdale and Terrance Toliver two LSU players. I think Tolliver will be drafted in the third round, and Barksdale could be as well. Toliver wasn’t productive in college as he should be, but he has a good talent set. Barksdale was good in college and is a good player.

7th Round 227 overall-Eric Haag, S, Nebraska

Draftsite: Nic Grigsby

Teams can never have too much depth in the secondary. Eric Haag is the kind of player who can contribute immediately on special teams, in some defensive packages, and be a glue guy on the team providing valuable depth at the safety position and maybe even eventually as a starter.

7th Round 237th overall- Jake KirkPatrick, C, TCU

Draftsite pick: Jerrard Terrant, CB

The Eagles could use some more talent in the interior of their offensive line. Especially a guy who can play center. Jake Kirkpatrick’s range is all over the place. I’ve seen him mocked in the third round all the way through the 7th round. What I do know is that in the 7th round he’s a draftable player who can become a starter down the road and provide depth immediately at the center position for the Eagles.

7th Round 240th overall-Buster Skrine, CB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

Draftsite pick: Henry Hynoski

I don’t mean to keep grabbing secondary players. In fact, I was hoping to grab a good defensive end here to give the Eagles a little more depth at the position because I’m not sure what’s happening with Brandon Graham’s knee. But that wasn’t to happen. Also, the most likelihood of scenarios is that the Eagles trade away some of their picks in a package to either move up or to get more picks next year.  Buster Skrine at this point is the best player available, clearly and a good pick here.