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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Christian McCaffrey

RB, Stanford

We had Dalvin Cook going to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 14 on most of our mock drafts, but Christian McCaffrey cannot be ignored at this point. The star running back out of Stanford has done everything needed to vault himself into the first round this offseason, and it now looks like he can be a potential top-10 pick. We like him a lot, but will slot him at No. 14, where he can do some serious damage with a good, young Eagles team.

Last year, the Eagles spent their first round pick on Carson Wentz, who went on to start all 16 games for the team in 2016. However, he did not have a lot of talent on the outside, which the organization fixed this offseason. The Birds brought in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to join Jordan Matthews at wide receiver, leaving the running back position as the one of need in the draft.

McCaffrey is a guy who can do everything on the football field, whether it be running, pass catching, or returning kicks. He would be a dangerous fit in an offense that could be the best in the NFC East next season. The Eagles will have to leapfrog teams like Dallas and New York if they want to make it to the playoffs, but they are certainly building a nice, young nucleus in Philadelphia, which will play host to the draft on Thursday.

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