Mock Draft Roundup: Post Rams’ Trade Edition

Ezekiel Elliott. (USA Today Sports)

Before yesterday, it was widely assumed that the Eagles were looking to trade with Tennessee for the first pick in the draft. We know now that they indeed had an offer on the table, but eventually withdrew it when St. Louis outbid them for the pick.

Let’s see what the NFL experts have the Eagles doing now that one of the quarterbacks will be off the board at the time of their pick.

Ezekiel Elliott recently told ESPN’s James Walker that the Eagles are showing the most interest in him. And plenty of analysts believe he will be the choice at 8.

Round 1 (8): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Round 3 (77): Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
Round 3 (79): Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn

Analysis: No, I don’t normally advocate for taking a running back in the first round, but there are exceptions to every rule. Adrian Peterson was one back in 2007, Todd Gurley was another in 2015, and Elliott is yet another this year. He’s an instinctive runner, a tough blocker and a natural pass-catcher. A Day 1 starter, Elliott would take pressure off QB Sam Bradford from the get-go. Both Howard and Coleman would help the Eagles add depth at cornerback and tackle, respectively.

If you allow Elliott to drop beyond the Cowboys at No. 4 and the Eagles in this spot, it is conceivable that he could fall all the way to the Dolphins at No. 13. With that said, Elliott can step into a lead-back role immediately and help kick-start the Eagles’ rushing attack into a more physical direction.

I pretty much would like a guy that can gel with us right away, because every year counts, and every year we’re trying to go towards that Super Bowl.

I’m going [with] Ezekiel Elliott.

The Eagles could grab Ezekiel Elliott here, but they opt to fortify the OL instead.

The Eagles want a quarterback and may consider Paxton Lynch with this pick, but instead they get a blue-chip left tackle to replace Jason Peters down the road.

Sure, this is a bit high for Lynch, with two QBs off the board inside the top-4, the Eagles could shake things up a bit and reach for the next best guy.

Howie Roseman deserves another pay raise for this.  After sneaking his way into the top 10 with that deft trade with the Dolphins that landed his Philadelphia Eagles the 8th pick and unloaded one of the worst contracts in NFL history, he cements his place as possible Executive of the Year by jumping up to grab the best left tackle to come out of college in years. Laremy Tunsil couldn’t be a better solution to the Eagles’ problems. He’s a premier pass protector with fluid footwork and athleticism, good power and long arms.  Speed rushers can’t get around him and power rushers can’t get through him.  No question he has all the trappings of a bookend franchise tackle with All-Pro potential.  This is ideal for Philly given Jason Peters is 34-years old and has a dubious injury history that has burned them in the past.