Who Does McShay Have Eagles Taking with First Three Picks?

Many mock drafts have the Eagles either taking an offensive tackle in the first round or running back Ezekiel Elliot with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.

In ESPN draft expert Todd McShay’s three-round ‘Grade A’ mock draft, the approach is a bit different.

These are the guidelines:

1. At each slot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won't pass on a player at No. 4 just because I like the team better at No. 5.

2. No trades unless they're already done. I try to address team needs, but like the draft, value can supersede need.

3. Again: I'm not projecting. It's more a look at where I see value up and down the board.

Here is who McShay has the Eagles taking with their first three picks:

Round 1 (8): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Round 3 (77): Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
Round 3 (79): Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn

Analysis: No, I don't normally advocate for taking a running back in the first round, but there are exceptions to every rule. Adrian Peterson was one back in 2007, Todd Gurley was another in 2015, and Elliott is yet another this year. He's an instinctive runner, a tough blocker and a natural pass-catcher. A Day 1 starter, Elliott would take pressure off QB Sam Bradford from the get-go. Both Howard and Coleman would help the Eagles add depth at cornerback and tackle, respectively.

Howard is a big, physical corner who has 10 career interceptions at Baylor and could challenge Eric Rowe, Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks for a starting spot at corner for the Eagles.

As for Coleman, a two-year starter at Auburn, is the seventh ranked tackle by draftcountdown.com.

Last week, Mel Kiper Jr., had the Eagles taking Oregon defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who McShay had going No. 3 overall to San Diego.