Eagles

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Geno Smith and the Eagles

Could the Eagles be grabbing the draft's top quarterback with their first-round pick?

By Craig Powers@TheCraigPowers Apr 18, 2013, 8:00am EDT

While many teams may hope for instant improvement with the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft, the Eagles appear to be looking beyond 2013 with their selection. Quarterback Michael Vick has proven to be unreliable, and Philadelphia may be looking to prepare a replacement.

More: Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn joins others in projecting the Eagles to grab West Virginia's Geno Smith. The West Virginia quarterback is unlikely to start next year, but it's never too early to look for the next franchise leader:

How can a team drafting in the top five take a backup quarterback? Because starter Michael Vick is entering the final year of his contract. Multiple trusted reporters and analysts have been penciling in Smith to the Eagles, so it may not be smoke screen.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah agrees with Fairburn, and has the Eagles picking Smith. Bucky Brooks believes Geno Smith will be off the board and the team will grab Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel. Akbar Gbaja-Biamila also has the Eagles selecting Joeckel, but they would be passing on Smith in his projection. Charles Davis agrees that Philadelphia won't go the quarterback direction and has it picking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner instead.