In all likelihood the Eagles are going to need to replace running back Ryan Mathews this offseason and could be in a position to land one of the 2017 NFL Draft’s premier prospects at the position.
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated projects Florida State running back Dalvin Cook to the Eagles with the No. 14 overall pick:
Cornerback? Sure. Wide receiver? Of course. Offensive tackle? Maybe. The Eagles have ample pressing needs, as of Jan. 3. But running back should be on that list, too. And here, they get what may be the best skill-position player in this class. Cook’s Orange Bowl provided a perfect Cliff’s Notes on his game: He’ll take a few negative plays, but he can explode through the smallest of holes for game-changing gains, be it via run or pass.
Adding Cook would give rookie quarterback Carson Wentz a game-changing weapon in the backfield and follow the blueprint of the Dallas Cowboys to pair a young signal caller with a young, potentially elite running back.
Cook rushed for a personal best 1,765 yards and 19 touchdowns in his junior season at Florida State. In three collegiate seasons, the 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back racked up 4,464 yards with 46 carries while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
Eagles mock draft roundup
Also a versatile pass-catcher out of the backfield, Cook hauled in 79 receptions for 935 yards and two touchdowns.
The highlight of Cook’s final season in Tallahassee was a five-game stretch of 11-plus yard games.
Mathews suffered a herniated disc in Week 16 last season and would save the Eagles $4.5 million if they cut him as a salary cap casualty. Mathews’ departure would love a void in the backfield alongside Darren Sproles and fifth-rounder Wendell Smallwood.
The Eagles will either select No. 14 or No. 15 in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, pending a coin-flip that will be held at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975.
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