Philadelphia Eagles Draft | Seven Round Mock 2.0

Round 1: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

Barring a ridiculous fall by a top prospect, C-Daves should be the Philadelphia Eagles’ #1 target come April. Numero uno, people.

Every tape that comes out on Davis impresses me more and more. He doesn’t have my highest-graded WR game…or, for that matter, my second-highest either. But he’s as consistent as they come, with only one game in 2016 in which he didn’t dominate (vs. Wisconsin, in the Cotton Bowl. He was regularly doubled).

I did a scouting report on Davis a few weeks ago, but since then his grade has increased. He’s shown more success high-pointing the football–his biggest weakness on tape–and continued to demonstrate game-changing route-running and RAC ability. In the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, predicated on getting the ball to their WRs in space, he’s the clear fit over Clemson WR Mike Williams, another stud WR with a completely different skill sit. A healthy Corey Davis goes for 1,000 yards in his rookie year. Book it.

A healthy Corey Davis.

Davis elected not to attend the Senior Bowl given a shoulder injury. Now, many players who could do very little to improve their draft stock–like Davis, a consensus Top-15 player–often have ‘injuries’ that preclude them from a presumably fruitless Senior Bowl week. There’s a solid chance Davis was suffering from a case of the ‘I don’t need to go’-es.

But during training for the Combine, Davis injured his ankle and now might not even attend the event. He never had an issue with injuries during a four-year, high-usage college career, but durability is always a quality teams track in their draft targets. And Davis’ might be in question.

If Davis attended the Combine in full health, I expected him to clearly demarcate himself as the WR1. Mike Williams may make a spectacular catch or, you know, seven, but Davis would excel in every physical test and most of the positional drills. His acceleration, flexibility, and straight-line speed shine on tape, and they would glow all the brighter in Indy.

But even if Davis makes it, he won’t be a full go. He can’t risk re-aggravating that ankle. And as such, Williams has an opportunity in March to solidify himself as WR1–or at the very least, muddy the waters of the conversation further. If a WR-needy team falls in love with Williams over Davis (Tennessee, Buffalo), the Bronco standout might fall to pick 14/15. And, if so, the Philadelphia Eagles will have a top-tier offensive weapon for years to come.