By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapping up this week and the start of free agency looming just a few days away, it seems like a perfect time for the first mock draft of the season.
Mock drafts are terribly inaccurate exercises. With seven weeks, and the opening of free agency, separating us from the 2017 NFL Draft, a lot can change in the Eagles roster make up and these prospects' draft stock. For these drafts, I will simulate the draft using Fanspeak's On The Clock simulator in order to add some sort of realism to the exercise.
Anyway, here's the first mock draft of 2017.
Round 1, Pick 14, (14): Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State University
Cook has become a bit of a polarizing target for Eagles fans in recent weeks. Some see a game-breaking talent, other see a guy who's upside could be limited by his position. However, with both Mike Williams and Corey Davis off the board by the time the 14th overall pick rolled around, Cook was the best weapon available. With his transcendent performance at the combine on Saturday, John Ross is starting to seem like a decent fit at 14, but I still think he is a bit of a reach this high in the first round.
With Cook, Carson Wentz would be getting a three-down running back who is capable of taking the ball to the house every time he touches it. Yes, the Eagles are in dire need of a wide receiver, but all indications point to them adding one or two in free agency. The Eagles need to simply surround Wentz with weapons right now, regardless of position.
Cook would represent an upgrade over the current crop of running backs the Eagles currently have. In the first round, the Birds can't afford to pass up a difference-making talent simply because of positional need.
Round 2, Pick 11, (43): Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State University
With Williams, Davis and Ross all off the board by the time the Eagles second pick rolled around, it was time to take care of the Birds' other impending need: cornerback. Luckily for Howie Roseman and company, the draft is loaded with corners and it shouldn't be too hard to find a quality player during the second night of the draft.
Conley may be overshadowed a bit by his teammate, Marshon Lattimore, who is projected to go early in the Top 10. However, Conley has started every game for the Buckeyes over the past two years, recording four interceptions and eight pass break ups in 2016. Standing 6'1", Conley has the length and the physicality to play press coverage on the outside.
With the Eagles in search of a blue-chip cornerback to build their secondary around, Conley seems to fit the mold of a Jim Schwartz corner. He's long, physical and has enough speed to stick with receivers down the field. Defensive backs will not work out at the combine until later today, so it remains to be seen just how well he measures up against the other top-ranked cornerbacks.
Round 3, Pick 10, (74): Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
Finally, in Round 3, the Eagles get a wide receiver. Westbrook is a natural deep-threat receiver, albeit an undersized one. At 6'0", he could stand to add some muscle mass to his 176-pound frame in order to compete with bigger cornerbacks. Westbrook's career in the Big-12, where defense is optional, makes his tape harder to judge, but he decided to not work out at the combine, so we will have to wait for his pro day to see his 40 time.
Westbrook is also a very good route-runner, which could make him more effective in Doug Pederson's west coast offense. Westbrook does not have the upside of Williams, Davis, or Ross, but after posting 17 touchdowns and averaging over 19 yards per catch in 2016, he could be the wide receiver that Wentz and Pederson need in order to unlock the rest of the playbook.
Round 4, Pick 12, (119): Chad Hansen, WR, California
In the fourth round, the Eagles doubled down on the receivers. Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor are the only two guys whose contracts lock them in for 2017, so the Eagles could use all the receivers they can get. Hansen caught 92 balls for the Golden Bears last season and racked up over 1,200 yards, despite missing two games with an injury.
Hansen is bigger than Westbrook, standing 6'2" and weighing in at 205 pounds. He also can go up and get contested balls down the field, posting a vertical jump of 35 inches at the Combine. The Eagles need as many quality receivers as they can get at this point, and while neither Westbrook nor Hansen project to be perennial Pro Bowlers, they are both quality receivers who can consistently get open and catch the ball when it's thrown to them.
It's been a long time since the Eagles have had a pair of those.
Round 4, Pick 32, (139): Davon Godchaux, DL, LSU
This pick makes sense if the Eagles let Bennie Logan slip away in free agency. With all the money they gave Fletcher Cox, the Eagles may not want to invest more money into their defensive tackles, but right now, the only other NFL-caliber defensive tackle on the Birds' roster is Beau Allen. Godchaux is a bit undersized for a traditional three-technique, but he is pretty quick off the ball, which could fit into Schwartz's attacking scheme.
Round 5, Pick 11, (155): Isaac Asiata, OL, Utah
Offensive line isn't as big of a need as it has been in recent years, but the Eagles can't afford to go years without addressing it in the draft again. Asiata is a big guy who is an absolute mauler in the run game. He may not be agile enough to play tackle, but he could easily work in as a backup guard or center early in his career before developing into a starter.
Round 6, Pick 10, (194): Connor Harris, LB, Lindenwood
If the Eagles deal Mychal Kendricks, they will need to address their need for a linebacker in free agency or earlier in the draft, but as of now, they are just in search of reserve 'backers. Harris is a bit undersized, but he is very instinctive and loves to play downhill. At the very least, his high motor could come in handy on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 12, (230): Dylan Donahue, DE, West Georgia
The Eagles could always use more pass rushers, so we added one with their final pick. Donahue is raw and a bit undersized, but he is very quick and could carve out a role as a third-down pass rusher in his career. Like Harris, Donahue can contribute on special teams during the early part of his career while he develops as a defensive end.
