Mayock, Kiper And Gruden On Agholor

Chip Kelly fell short in his pursuit of Marcus Mariota and ended up picking USC WR Nelson Agholor at No. 20. Here is what the ESPN and NFL Network analysts had to say immediately following the selection.

Mel Kiper Jr:

“Well, a PAC-12 player for Chip Kelly is no surprise. If you look at Nelson Agholor, a lot of people were really on this guy and wanted to see him slide down the board a bit. I think he’s got versatility, he can be an excellent return man, which he’s proven to be at USC. This man had over 100 catches, he had 50 more receptions than their No. 2 receiver, 12 touchdowns. As I said, he’s a hands catcher, he’s a tough kid, he doesn’t play quite as fast as the 4.42 40 he was timed at.

Born in Nigeria, his father, Felix, played soccer in Nigeria. He played four different positions in high school in Tampa, Florida. He played basketball as well. But when you think of a guy who catches the ball, will run those inside routes and come away with the reception and early on, he’s going to give you great return ability.”

Jon Gruden:

“You just lost Jeremy Maclin and if you put up Jeremy Maclin’s measurables on paper, this kid is almost exactly the same. And if you can return punts, I know you can run with the ball after you catch it, and I know you’re tough. And Agholor is a great kid, a hard worker, he fits the profile of a Chip Kelly Philadelphia Eagle. Nice pick for the Eagles.”

Louis Riddick:

“What I love about him is his versatility, inside-outside versatility, and when you think about him combined with Jordan Matthews, now you got some guys you can move around a little bit and do all the different kinds of things from a matchup perspective that Chip is going to want to do. His run after the catch, return skills are an absolute bonus, and coach is right – he’s the kind of guy that Chip would want and it’s a good pick for them. They needed to get some more firepower on the outside.”

Mike Mayock:

“Nelson Agholor, ironically enough, is 6-0, 198 pounds and he ran a 4.4, the exact same that Jeremy Maclin ran at the combine. He’s a precise route runner, added value as a great returner. He reminds me of Jeremy Maclin, ironically the guy he is replacing.

“Philadelphia Eagles are going to love him. He’ll compliment Jordan Matthews, their second-round pick from last year and give Sam Bradford somebody else to throw to.”

Michael Irvin:

“I love the pick and I liken this kid to a Randall Cobb because he played a little running back, he can return a punt, he could be a four-down player. I mean, this kid can really light up a football field for you. He goes outside, he goes inside, he can get in the backfield, play running back, played defensive back also, and I love that he can return punts.

“I know a guy like Chip Kelly will get a guy like this and he will make wonderful things happen on the football field with all of his many skill sets in that offense.”