Jared Sherman's seven-round mock draft for the Eagles in 2016 is here. The Eagles start off with the obvious pick, but what comes after?
The 2016 NFL draft kicks off on Thursday in Chicago and runs through Saturday.
First round, 2nd overall — Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (6-5/237)
This, of course, is the biggie, with the Birds trading a significant amount of draft capital to move from pick No. 8 to No. 2. They do so under the guise that when you see the opportunity to go get your franchise QB, you take it, no matter the cost.
Is Wentz a franchise QB? He certainly has all the physical tools - size, arm strength, and speed (4.77 40). Wentz seems to have the intangible boxes ticked off as well. He won two national championships in his two years as a starter, coming back from a wrist injury in his senior season to win his second title (instead of simply packing it in, leaving the team, and preparing for the draft like Myles Jack). He was a strong student both academically and in the film room. And, from all accounts, blew teams away with his poise and love of the game in interviews. He's a gym rat who lives and breathes football.
But all the intangibles in the world do not a franchise QB make. Can he play? The answer is a resounding yes. Wentz made all the throws at NDSU in their pro-style offense. He has a strong pocket presence, feels the pass rush, and moves well to avoid it. There's no wobble to his passes, he's accurate, and not afraid to thread the needle.
He will need to shake off some bad habits he got away with playing against lesser competition. Wentz was able to stare down his target and still deliver the ball against FCS opponents. He won't get away with that for long in the NFL.
With the current QB situation in Philadelphia (with or without Sam Bradford) Wentz should be able to sit for at least a season, learning behind Bradford and Chase Daniel and adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. While I always have some concerns regarding the jump from a lower level of competition to the NFL, Wentz's physical tools, drive, and championship pedigree mitigate a lot of them. I see Wentz somewhere between Blake Bortles (floor) and Ben Roethlisberger (ceiling), and based on the history of Eagles QBs post-Donovan McNabb, I'd gladly take either.
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Watch Wentz vs Northern Iowa in 2015
Third round, 79th overall — Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana (6-0/230)
The Eagles have two solid backs in the fold already in Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, but neither are bell cows. Mathews is a quick, shifty runner who can get to the outside but is too injury-prone to run 20-plus times a game, and Sproles is best suited as a receiver out of the backfield and a return man.
Howard is a potential workhorse back, in the mold of Frank Gore. He's not blazing fast or particularly shifty behind the line of scrimmage, but watch out when he gets a head of steam. A thick and powerful lower half make him a bear to take down and he has the patience and just enough burst to exploit open holes. Once in the open field Howard has the ability make tacklers miss, and those who don't usually come out worse for wear.
Watch Howard vs Michigan in 2015
Fifth round, 153th overall — Matthew Ioannidis, DT, Temple (6-3/299)
With the switch to a 4-3 defense, the Eagles are in need of defensive line depth behind tackles Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan. Ioannidis is tough, strong, and deceptively athletic. He won't offer much in terms of pass rush, but will provide good depth, strong run defense, and leadership. He's another football lifer who won't back down from anyone.
Watch Ioannidis vs Notre Dame in 2015
Fifth round, 164th overall — Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (6-2/223)
Before Smith tore both his ACL and MCL against Ohio State late in the 2015 season, the junior was considered a surefire Top 10 pick. Now, with medical reports possibly showing teams that Smith may not be ready to play in 2016, his draft stock is dropping.
When healthy, Smith is a dynamic athlete who gets from sideline to sideline better than any LB in the draft. His length, ability to get off blocks, and explode as a tackler are phenomenal. It's unbelievable watching him and seeing how many plays he's in on. It reminded me of watching Luke Kuechly back at Boston College - he's just everywhere.
While it's a mystery on what teams see in Smith's medical checks, if there's a 20 percent chance Smith can get back to what he was at Notre Dame, even if it means waiting a year, spending a pick on him here is a no-brainer. I'd argue spending a third-round pick on him wouldn't make me blink either.
Sixth round, 188th overall — Rees Odhiambo, OL, Boise State (6-4/314)
Odhiambo provides depth and versatility to a thin Eagles O-line. The native of Kenya played left tackle for the Broncos for three seasons but has been injury-prone (broken ankle in 2015). He will probably kick inside to OG in the NFL because of his lack of ideal height and lack of dominant strength. As an OG though, Odhiambo should excel as a pass blocker, and given time in the Eagles strength program, become more of a factor in the run game.
Seventh round, 233rd overall — Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida (6-1/232)
Morrison played ILB for Florida and played in 2015 only six months after tearing his knee to shreds at the end of the 2014 season. The guy plays with his hair on fire and is an absolute thumper despite his lack of size. While limited in coverage and almost strictly a downhill LB, Morrison could prove to be a valuable backup to Jordan Hicks and a core special teamer in 2016.
Seventh round, 251st overall — Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia (6-1/204)
Worley is a big corner with a nose for the ball (6 INTs in 2015) but lacks the quick twitch movement skills to be more than a backup in the NFL. Should be a contributor on coverage teams with possibly a long-term future at safety.