Philadelphia Eagles Draft Needs
Scott Tunstall from Inside the Iggles and Fan-Sided Blogs weighs in on who the Eagles should be looking at in the upcoming 2009 NFL Draft.
After losing their fourth NFC Championship game in eight years, it’s obvious the Eagles need some help. Since they can’t draft an entire new front-office in April, I guess I’ll have to look at some players who might be able to help them get back to the Big Game. Of course, talking about draft needs for the Eagles can be a futile discussion since they often ignore “need” and do whatever the hell they want. I give you the name Kevin Kolb. At any rate, here are areas the Birds should be looking to improve.
Positions: OT, RB, TE, FB, DT, WR
A lot of what the Eagles do on draft day will depend on what is done in free agency. With both Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas potentially heading elsewhere, offensive tackle is the most critical position of need. Winston Justice (a 2nd round pick in 2006) was supposed to be a future starting tackle but he has been a complete bust. That means back to the ‘ol drawing board. They hold two first round picks, so if they stand pat at 21 and 28, expect one of these selections to be a tackle. Players of interest: Eben Britton, Arizona; William Beatty, Connecticut. A trade-up to acquire one of the elite tackles like Michael Oher is also possible.
Brian Westbrook had an injury riddled 2008 and will be 30 before next season. A bigger, more physical back to complement B-West is a must. Now, Andy Reid has never selected a running back in the first round and I doubt this year will be any different. I love Chris Wells, but the Birds would have to move up to get him and that will not happen. They could stay at 21 and still get a decent back, although waiting until round 2 or 3 is the more likely scenario. Players of interest: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia; LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh; Andre Brown, N.C. State; Marlon Lucky, Nebraska. Both Brown and Lucky are quality receivers, which makes them appealing.
L.J. Smith is on his way out of Philadelphia. For multiple reasons, L.J. never materialized into a star tight end. Nagging injuries and questionable hands ruined his time in Philly. Brent Celek came alive in the post-season and will be given every opportunity to seize the starting job. However, an elite pass catching tight end would greatly benefit Donovan McNabb and an offense that struggles in the red zone. Players of interest: Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State; Jared Cook, South Carolina. Pettigrew is flying up draft boards. If he’s available at 21, it would constitute a major steal.
I’m not certain the Eagles will spend a pick on a fullback, but they have to seriously consider it. Dan Klecko is a converted defensive tackle and would be better suited shifting back to defense. Kyle Eckel, a mid-season acquisition, is in the mix, but a young, punishing lead blocker would do wonders for a suspect rush offense. Players of interest: Brannan Southerland, Georgia; Chris Pressley, Wisconsin. Southerland blocked for Knowshon Moreno. Pressley blocked for P.J. Hill.
The Eagles are pretty stacked at defensive tackle. Starters Bunkley and Patterson are solid. Trevor Laws looks like a keeper. However, none of these guys have shown an ability to collapse the pocket and sack the quarterback. A disruptive tackle that can get into the backfield is needed. Players of interest: Evander Hood, Missouri; Vance Walker, Georgia Tech. Both Hood and Walker lack ideal size, but each is capable of attacking quarterbacks.
DeSean Jackson was a find in the 2008 draft. He is a skilled playmaker with tremendous upside. Wow, I sounded like a “draft expert” there. Take that Mel Kiper! Anyway, it appears after missing on several forgettable wide receivers like Na Brown, Todd Pinkston, Freddie Mitchell and Reggie Brown, Reid finally found a potential star in Jackson. That being said, a tall red zone threat is a must. If they don’t land an elite tight end, they need to turn their attention to receiver. Players of interest: Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Brandon LaFell, LSU; Brian Robiskie, Ohio State. Britt could be an absolute steal in the second or third round. LaFell has size and speed. Robiskie is not fast, but is physical with a great pair of hands.
Predicting what the Eagles might do on draft day is always a chore. For the most part, the brass does their homework and runs the draft very efficiently. Of the 22 starters that finished the 2008 season, 17 were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents. That’s a pretty good success rate. Let’s hope they continue that success in 2009.
I think they should get in the first round Percy Harvin and Cris Wells.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:34 pmPercy and DeSean would be awsome together with their speed.
Cris would be good power HB for the eagles.
I disagree Chad. Harvin is far too undersized to complement DeSean well. Remember what happened to the 'Skins with Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Two smurfs just don't work. And Scott, while a prospect at DT would be fine for the late late rounds, I think a much more pressing need on defense is depth, or even a starter, at safety. Demps is an unknown quantity basically, and though Mikell has really stepped up his game, we lack depth with #20 close to the end of his career and at this point out the door. Someone like Louis Delmas from Western Michigan would look great in Eagle green if we could snag him at a value point.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:40 amOk right now i don't give a crap about the draft what i am worried about is them getting rid of dawkins there is no one else in yhe nfl that is more valuable then him if they get rid of someone get mcbad out not dawkins! dawkins was the heart and soul of the eagles that was probably the dumbest choice they ever made and probably the dumbest choice they will ever make!
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 pmDawkins is the heart and soul of the eagles team… but the eagles are notorious for letting older veterans go at the right time. just look at jerimiah trotter and hugh douglas. I think it's safe to say the eagles know what they are doing when they released him.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 pmWe need to find a way to ship some our 12 draft picks to move up in the first round and get one of the 4 top offensive tackles. My favorite being Jason Smith but i don’t see that being possible. Then with our second pick i think we would have to see what falls to us. I would like to think running back or even if Pettigrew would fall. If all else would fail i think you would have to look at the best player on the board, possibly a guard or center to make a dominate line. Offensive lines are the most important parts of football teams as much as no one likes to hear that. Safety seems to me to be alright with Sean Jones. He is a major pick up, the best safety you never heard of. I feel we can get a quality receiver in the second round like Kenny Brit. A quality TE could be picked up in the third round, I see someone like Shawn Nelson or Chase Coffman. I also think running back is something you really need to consider. Someone who can run in between the tackles. I would like to see a compliment to Westbrook not a second coming. I like Beenie Wells except is injury factor. McCoy is ok to me maybe a reach in the first round but most likely wont be their in the second. Rashad Jennings, big boy, small school, very productive, can he make it to the NFL, a third or 4th round pick might be worth it to find out.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:43 amI believe we should hold onto our two first round picks and take chris wells and nicks from usc. That will be alot of weapons for mcnabb.Also we should try to use our 2nd and a fifth to go after edwards clevand will give him up. The with our 3rd and fourth pick up the best OL and DB the with our other two fifth pick up Bradon Tate from UNC he was a star before he got hurt and Chase Daniels he could be a steal and a star with his size.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:19 am