Several mock drafts had the Eagles taking Dion Jordan, coach Chip Kelly’s top pass rusher at Oregon. And even more mock drafts had the Bills taking Ryan Nassib, coach Doug Marrone’s quarterback at Syracuse. It didn’t work out that way.
In fact, the Eagles didn’t draft anyone from Oregon, and the Bills didn’t draft anyone from Syracuse. The familiarity that the coaches had with their old college players didn’t translate to reaching for them in the NFL draft.
In fact, the Bills clearly weren’t as high on Nassib as many believed, as Buffalo moved down in the first round before drafting Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel. And according to Peter King of SI.com, the Eagles weren’t going to take Jordan with the No. 4 overall pick even if the Dolphins hadn’t traded up to take Jordan third overall.
Oregon had five players drafted: Jordan, guard Kyle Long in the first round to the Bears, linebacker Kiko Alonso in the second round to the Bills, running back Kenjon Barner in the sixth round to the Panthers and safety John Boyett in the sixth round to the Colts. Syracuse had three players drafted: Nassib in the fourth round to the Giants, offensive lineman Justin Pugh in the first round to the Giants and safety Shamarko Thomas in the fourth round to the Steelers. Kelly and Marrone had opportunities to draft their old players, but they passed.
The Bills have reportedly signed one of Marrone’s old players, offensive lineman Zach Chibane, as an undrafted free agent. And the Eagles have reportedly signed one of Kelly’s old players, defensive tackle Isaac Remington, as an undrafted free agent.
But in the draft, Kelly and Marrone passed on drafting any of the players they knew best.
