NFL Mock Draft 2015: Philadelphia Eagles Select Landon Collins

Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

When I look at the Philadelphia Eagles roster the main areas of need that stand out to me are strong safety, No.2 cornerback and WR.

They will also surely address the offensive line at some point in the draft too, as there is talk of Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis being traded and both he and left tackle Jason Peters are getting close to their mid 30's now.

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However, I think they can add a piece or two in the mid-late rds this year and look at a high round pick next year for the o-line.At wide receiver it looks like their round 2 pick from last season, Jordan Matthews, will take on a bigger role this year and be pushed into the no.1 WR spot, following the departure of Jeremy Maclin to Kansas. They also have Riley Cooper, a 3rd round pick from last year in Josh Huff and veteran Miles Austin was recently signed, though how much he has left at this stage of his career is certainly questionable. I think they will look at a WR from round 2 on down, and USC's Nelson Agholor is one name who has been linked to them.

Cornerback is a position that still needs attention, even after the addition of Byron Maxwell and his big contract and the signing of quality slot corner Walter Thurmond (Maxwell's old Seattle teammate) from the New York Giants.
The closest they have to a No. 2 corner is Brandon Boykin, a 4th round pick from 2012, who can play a role for the Eagles but they can surely upgrade the position.

As with WR though, I think they can find their guy at CB in the 2nd or 3rd rounds and later.

One of the main reasons I have chosen Landon Collins in this mock draft is because he really is the only elite safety in the draft. The next players at that position to come off the board will probably be picked no earlier than the late 2nd-early 3rd round.Strong safety is also a massive need for this team. At the moment their depth consists of Earl Wolff, Chris Prosinski and Jerome Couplin.

Think what adding a hard hitter with great range like Collins would do for their defense, especially when you consider him along with their off season additions of Maxwell and Thurmond in the secondary with ILB Kiko Alonso and mainstays like DE Fletcher Cox, OLB Connor Barwin, OLB Brandon Graham and ILB Mychal Kendricks in the front seven.

Philly, who ranked mid table against the run last season, could be up there with the more stout run defenses in the league with Alonso, Kendricks and Collins roaming the middle. They would also be one of the faster defenses in the NFL, covering sideline to sideline quicker than most.

As much as some question Collins ability in coverage I saw him make plays against the pass at Alabama and I certainly don't see it as being a problem. Some say it was how Alabama used him, as an in the box safety that meant he didn't have the opportunity to make plays in coverage as much as he might. I did see him make a few fine interceptions in his time there though.

So to sum up, I think Landon Collins both fills a huge need at the position, is one of the best players on the board at this stage and is by far the premier safety in the draft.

In this mock draft Marcos Mariota went at no.12 to Cleveland. I suppose if that was the case in reality, there is a good chance Chip Kelly would look to move up for him.

I don't think they would be willing to give up a ridiculous amount to get up to No. 1 or 2 though.

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