Draft Buzz: Could Eagles Target Hundley?

We are less than four weeks away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being on the clock with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. With that in mind, here is the latest Eagles buzz, including mock drafts and Chip Kelly’s busy travel schedule.

Chris Stueber of CSN Philly released a seven-round Eagles mock draft and has the Birds taking DB Quinten Rollins out of Miami (OH):

It’s possible that the Eagles will try to trade up in the first round, especially if a player they covet unexpectedly slides. But if they decide to stay put and make their selection at No. 20, Rollins is a perfect fit in their secondary.

A four-year starter on the hardwood, Rollins played only one year of college football as a fifth-year senior. However, he proved to be a quick study and dominated the MAC as he earned Defensive Player of the Year. Rollins is still developing his overall game, but his natural ball skills, instincts, awareness and physical approach make him an intriguing prospect at the safety position. He lined up at cornerback for the Red Hawks this past season and could play on the perimeter at the next level, although he should be viewed as the top free safety in this year’s draft.

Don Banks of SI.com has the Eagles selecting Alabama safety Landon Collins:

The Eagles have done major renovation work on offense this offseason, but continuing to upgrade the defense now becomes the focus of the draft. They’d be very fortunate to find the well-regarded Collins still available this late in the proceedings. He’s an athletic and rangy free safety whose skill set is an ideal fit for what Chip Kelly seeks from his last line of defense.

Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly released a seven-round mock and believes the Eagles will pick UCLA QB Brett Hundley:

Chip Kelly won’t get Marcus Mariota, but I’m not sold that Sam Bradford is his quarterback beyond 2015. Hundley is a project and won’t be ready to start right away, but he has the ideal skill set for Kelly’s offense and the UCLA scheme features plenty of read-option. Hundley can sit behind Bradford next season and be groomed to take over in 2016.

First round is high, but quarterbacks always go higher than they should and there’s no problem with reaching for a quarterback if he’s the ideal scheme fit. I have a hunch Kelly’s first draft as de facto general manager will be rife with unconventional scheme and “culture” fits that won’t go over well with the national analysts.

Bryan Fischer of NFL.com identifies Collins and WR Jaelen Strong as two potential targets for the Eagles in the first round:

“How about Jaelen Strong from Arizona State? That’s somebody (Kelly) would be familiar with given all those contacts in the Pac-12,” NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft.” “Doesn’t create a lot of separation when you study him, but he’s one of those guys who even if he’s covered, he’s open because he can go up and make contested plays and has a big catch radius. Jaelen Strong could be an interesting option for them at No. 20.”

Strong’s draft projection is within range of the Eagles’ pick, and they could stand to upgrade their wide receiving corps with an early-round pick after losing Jeremy Maclin to free agency. Strong isn’t quite a player of Maclin’s caliber, but he does add the element of size and strength at the position — two traits Kelly values in his receivers.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports reports from Washington’s pro day, where Marcus Peters impressed:

Peters’ presence at the workout at all is considered good news. He, of course, was kicked off the team by first-year Washington head coach Chris Peterson on Nov. 6. In an exclusive interview with NFLDraftScout.com prior to the Combine, Peters admitted his fault for the incidents which led to his dismissal from the program and announced that he had met with his former head coach and would be allowed to work out Thursday.

While teams are cognizant of Peters’ off-field concerns, they certainly don’t seem to be too put off by them. No less than half of the league has either worked Peters out privately or scheduled him for a visit, according to a source close to the projected first round pick. Sixteen visits and workouts is an exceptionally high number but given Peters’ talent and questions, perhaps it isn’t surprising.

Aaron Wilson reports that Kelly worked out a pair of wide receivers at Florida State:

The Philadelphia Eagles and coach Chip Kelly conducted a private workout Thursday with Florida State wide receivers Rashad Greene and Christian Green at the Seminoles’ facility in Tallahassee, Fla.

Greene ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL scouting combine with a 36 1/2 inch vertical leap and a 10-2 broad jump.

He caught 270 career passes for 3,830 yards, setting career Seminoles records. Last season, the all-conference selection caught a school-record 99 passes for 1,365 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Chip also worked out another receiver in the Sunshine State:

Chip Kelly in Tampa to workout USC and former Berkeley Prep WR Nelson Agholor. Projected 2nd round pick.

— Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) April 2, 2015