Philadelphia Eagles: A Seven Round Mock Draft

Oct 18, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jake Fisher (75) motivates the crowd against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Round One (Pick #20): Jake Fisher, OL, Oregon

It’s pretty easy to mock draft the Eagles because there are only so many Oregon players to go around, right?

In all seriousness, this pick makes all the sense in the world: Fisher is an Oregon product, yes, but what that means (beyond the fact that Chip Kelly will risk life and limb to add him to the Eagles) is that he possesses the speed, athleticism, and conditioning to thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense. He’s blown folks away in his post season activities thus far and has jumped, in the minds of many, from a late second-rounder to a late first.

Eagles

The Eagles have already let go of veteran guard Todd Herremans and there are rumors abound that soon-to-be 34-year-old guard Evan Mathis is on the trading block. Clearly the Eagles are trying to get younger along the offensive front.

Fisher possesses another trait prized by Kelly: Versatility. At Oregon he played both left and right tackle as well as guard and has the physique and athleticism to play either position at the next level.

If Mathis stays, Fisher would be a plug and play right guard stationed in between veteran center Jason Kelce and stud right tackle Lane Johnson. If Mathis goes, Fisher could still do that. Or he could start at left guard in between Kelce and even studlier left tackle Jason Peters.

And if Peters ever shows signs of slowing down… Fisher could slide over to left tackle or swap with Lane Johnson while he takes over for Peters. In any case, the two would provide the Eagles a pair of young book-ends to protect whomever it is the decide to stick under center.

The Eagles have other areas of need, certainly, and some are more pressing than the one along the line. But there’s no one at safety or wide receiver that will have nearly the day-one impact that Jake Fisher will.

He provides immediate improvement, versatility, and depth along the line. And that’s why he’s the pick at #20.

Next: The Full Nelson