McShay Mocks Safety Collins To the Eagles

ESPN’s Todd McShay released his second mock draft today, and he’s got the Eagles taking Alabama safety Landon Collins with the 20th pick:

The question everyone will ask is whether Chip Kelly will be willing to trade up to draft his former QB at Oregon, Marcus Mariota, particularly if Mariota starts to slide down the board a little bit. I know from talking with Kelly previously that he thinks the world of Mariota, but I have no idea how much he’s willing to give up in order to go get him. If the Eagles stay put, Collins would be a good value pick here. He’s the No. 15 overall prospect on our board, has good range in coverage and is a playmaker when the ball is in the air. But where he excels most is in run support, which is a good fit in the NFC East, especially versus the Cowboys. Moreover, SS Nate Allen is a free agent. Other options include Washington CB Marcus Peters and OLB Vic Beasley.

I still have to do my homework on Collins, but from what I can gather, the question as it pertains to the Eagles will be whether he can cover the slot/tight ends man to man. As McShay suggested, Collins’ strength is his ability to come up in the box and make plays against the run. But if he doesn’t have the versatility the Eagles covet, I’m not sure they’ll spend a first-rounder on him.

As for Mariota, McShay has him falling to the Jets at No. 6. He has the Bucs taking Jameis Winston with the top pick.

It’s worth noting that Michigan State CB Trae Waynes, who could be a fit for the Birds, goes off the board at No. 14 in McShay’s mock.