4/19: Eagles draft buzz
Every day, from now until the draft, I'll round up the latest Eagles buzz on MTC. Here is today's installment.
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We are just a week away from the first round of the NFL draft.
For those who need a reminder on how the new format works, here it is.
Round 1: The Colts go on the clock with the first pick Thursday night at 8 p.m. Teams have 10 minutes to make their picks.
Rounds 2 & 3: The second round gets started Friday night at 7 p.m. Teams have 7 minutes to make their picks in the second round and 5 minutes in the third.
Rounds 4-7: The fourth round begins Saturday at noon. Teams have 5 minutes to make their picks.
For the fourth consecutive year, I'll be hosting our live chat all three days.
As for the Eagles, official draft visits are over, but new names of prospects who have spent time at the Novacare Complex will likely continue to trickle in.
LSU cornerback Ron Brooks (5-10, 190) was in town this week, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com. Brooks is an intriguing name because he played primarily in the Tigers' nickel and dime packages. Per NFL.com's scouting report, "he has the athletic ability and experience to cover out of the slot." As we've discussed before in this space, the Eagles could look to upgrade from Joselio Hanson, who did not have a great year in 2011 and was actually cut initially before the start of the season.
Brooks ran a 4.37 40 at the combine. He also has special teams experience - both on coverage units and as a return man. He's expected to be a mid-to-late round pick.
In yesterday's draft buzz piece, I wrote about Fresno State WR Devon Wylie visiting the Eagles. Well, he Tweeted that he was being joined by Pitt offensive lineman Lucas Nix. Nix (6-5, 317) was a three-year starter for the Panthers, playing both right guard and right tackle. He's expected to be a mid-round pick.
MORE MOCKS
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post thinks Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will fall to the Eagles at No. 15:
Cox is the kind of potential three-technique who can create behind the line of scrimmage and stop plays before they start. The Eagles don't have a huge need at DT, but Cox could still mature into a playmaker inside, at a position where Philly lacks an impact guy.
Bunting also has a second-round mock up. He projects the Eagles to land Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks and Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin with picks 46 and 51. Here's Bunting's write-up on Kendricks:
Is a thick, shorter compact backer who explodes through contact and is a real violent striker. Finds the ball quickly vs. the run and has the range to make plays in pursuit. Lacks ideal size however to stack and shed and lacks a great feel in zone. However, as a thumper inside with the potential to get into the backfield as a blitzer who should get plenty of looks from 34 teams in need of a versatile, high motor backer.
The Eagles of course play a 4-3, but Kendricks, who had an outstanding combine and a productive college career, could fit the bill as an outside linebacker in the second round.
Meanwhile, Russ Lande of The Sporting News has the Birds taking Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe:
The Eagles want to get more inside pressure on quarterbacks, and Poe has the raw physical talent to be a disruptive interior force.
LOOKING BACK
Yesterday's draft buzz got posted late so check that out if you haven't done so already. I offered some thoughts on SI.com's Peter King projecting North Carolina defensive lineman Quinton Coples to the Birds.
Earlier in the week, I joined Les Bowen and Paul Domowitch of the Daily News for a draft video focusing on Eagles offensive needs and potential targets.
And finally, draft analyst Matt Waldman joined me for a Q&A yesterday. He threw out some interesting names of running backs and wide receivers who could interest the Eagles.
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