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Philadelphia Eagles Draft | Seven Round Mock 2.0

By Benjamin Solak

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Round 3: Chris Wormley, DE/DT, Michigan

The more I think about it–and I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks now–the more of a fan I am of Chris Wormley to the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round.

I previewed Wormley in our Senior Bowl watch list a couple of weeks ago, and he didn’t disappoint over the week of practices. He wins with his hands on almost every rep. He plays with a fantastic motor and outstanding leverage. With ideal size, he rarely gets moved off of his spot against the run. He flashes a pass-rush arsenal.

He can also hip toss, which is important, for some reason.

However, Wormley isn’t a true pass-rusher. He projects more as a 3-4 DE or a 5-technique at the next level. But I’m a touch higher on Wormley than most, and I think his versatility fits really on the Philadelphia Eagles’ front.

On early downs, line Wormley up as a DE. He’ll hold his gap against the run and keep the linebackers behind him clean. Wormley as a DE would, yes, necessitate a move away from the “Wide 9” technique which Jim Schwartz champions. But if you watch last year’s tape, the Eagles really didn’t run their DEs out of a wide alignment that often. They may want to draft that direction and get a pure edge-rusher, to use the wide front more often. But if they’re comfortable with the alignment as it is now, Wormley’s a guy to target.

On later downs, Wormley can drop inside as a pass-rushing DT. He really flashed this past week with his interior rush and versatility, solidifying my belief that he can regularly create interior pressure at the next level. I think Wormley and DT Fletcher Cox rushing together on 3rd down would really cause some headaches for opposing offenses.

An early pick on the defensive line might not be the glamorous selection, but the front six of Wormley, Bennie Logan/Beau Allen/Vinny Curry, Cox, DE Brandon Graham, and LBs Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham have an argument for the best defensive front in the game. And I think, with the addition of Wormley, they could finally play like it.

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