Something tells me that either the Eagles or the Jaguars are going to pull a surprise in the top five picks of next week’s NFL draft. Oklahoma left tackle Lane Johnson provided some support for my theory as it pertains to the Eagles today:
“It’s a good possibility,” Johnson told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via ProFootballTalk.com) of his chances of landing with the Eagles.. “What they’re going to do offensively really fits what I excel at — up-tempo, zone offense. But you never know what’s going to happen come draft day.”
While some mock drafts have slotted left tackles Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher to the City of Brotherly Love, not many have suggested that the Eagles may instead take Oklahoma left tackle Lane Johnson, who’s thought to be the third-best left tackle prospect in this draft.
You may remember Johnson from his 4.71 forty-second dash time at the combine. We recently told you about his name coming up in pre-draft trade rumors connected to the Saints and Dolphins.
It seems that if we can learn anything from all the rumors that are flying around, it’s that Lane Johnson will probably be a hot commodity come draft night.
If Philly drafts Johnson and three left tackles end up going in the top five picks, that means that one of the draft’s top defensive prospects like Dion Jordan, Ezekiel Ansah, Dee Milliner or Shariff Floyd could end up falling out of the top ten.
The Eagles certainly need an offensive tackle because their quarterbacks took a beating last year, but that doesn’t mean that taking Johnson wouldn’t generate a mixed reaction. If the Eagles pass on a player like Dion Jordan at 4, you will probably hear a few boos from Eagles fans.
However, if Kelly’s going to last in Philly, he needs to learn to do what he feels is best for his team regardless of what Eagles fans say like Andy Reid did.
You can see who we mock to the Eagles tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. ET by following BSO’s First-Round NFL Mock Draft on Twitter.