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2015 NFL Draft Grades For Philadelphia Eagles

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2015 NFL Draft Grades For Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles didn't make the big splash many predicted and were hoping for, but they did add a handful of players at key positions of need. Here's a look at how they did in the 2015 NFL Draft.

1st Round: WR Nelson Agholor, USC -- B+

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1st Round: WR Nelson Agholor, USC -- B+

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Hailed as the best route-running receiver in the draft by Mike Mayock, Agholor was a late-riser on the Eagles’ first-round radar. Many, including myself, expected this pick to be devoted to a defensive back prospect, but when you look at the tape and you see what Agholor can do, you can see why Chip Kelly took him when he did. Agholor is a true student of the game and has that Jeremy Maclin/Randall Cobb style.

2nd Round: CB/S Eric Rowe, Utah -- A+

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2nd Round: CB/S Eric Rowe, Utah -- A+

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I honestly figured Rowe would be gone into the late-first, very early second round, so when the Eagles traded up to snag him, I thought it was a no-brainer. Rowe is extremely versatile, and can cover both receivers and tight ends. He has all the physical measurables that teams look for in a coverage player. My bet is that he’ll start out as a safety, but will move around in coverage much like Malcolm Jenkins. Rowe is the Eagles' best pick.

3rd Round: LB Jordan Hicks, Texas -- B

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3rd Round: LB Jordan Hicks, Texas -- B

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Hicks is another solid athletic guy with fantastic football intelligence and superb tackling ability. He’s not a big hitter but he’s very reliable. Many are predicting Hicks will play as an inside linebacker in the Eagles’ scheme, but I see him more as an outside linebacker. His scouting reports rave about his ability to close on the ball and diagnose plays to the outside, but criticize his downhill game.

6th Round: CB JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas -- B+

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6th Round: CB JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas -- B+

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Shepherd is a high-character player. He is instinctive and has good ball skills. He had a fourth-round projection but slipped to the sixth. He’s an excellent value pick and will compete for the fourth or fifth corner spot on the roster. Kelly is finally going to develop a cache of homegrown defensive backs, much like the Seahawks do.

6th Round: CB Randall Evans, Kansas State -- B

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6th Round: CB Randall Evans, Kansas State -- B

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Another depth cornerback option, Randall Evans isn’t a flashy player, but he’s a solid all-around gamer. He’s a late-round version of Rowe -- he can play on the inside, outside, and even at safety if need be. Evans may not have a ton of upside, but he can fill a couple of holes on the defense, and that’s just what the Eagles need for a late-round corner.

7th Round: DE Brian Mihalik, Boston College -- D+

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7th Round: DE Brian Mihalik, Boston College -- D+

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Mihalik is a physical specimen. He stands 6-foot-9, 300 pounds and apparently ran a sub-4.9 40-yard dash. He has great length and is a tremendous athlete for a man his size. His problem is that none of those athletic traits show up on the field. There’s not a lot to like to Mihalik’s game and he’s very raw as a pass rusher. He’s an interesting developmental project, but I think there were better options that Kelly could have taken.

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