Less Than 13 Hours Away

The NFL Draft will begin. In just under 14 hours from now, the Dolphins will confirm something we've known for the better part of the week; Jake Long will be the first overall choice. Eventually, we'll work through the first two rounds of the draft before starting over again tomorrow morning. Here is some brief pre-draft coverage. I will be blogging during the draft, and nothing beats my live blogs.

The Eagles have the following picks:
1.19
2.49
3.80
4.115
4.131 (Compensation)
5.152
6.184
6.191 (from Cleveland)
6.200 (Compensation)
6.203 (Compensation)
7.230 (from Seattle)

That's 11 picks total. The Eagles already have a lot of guys under contract for next year, so I find it highly unlikely that they'll end up taking 11 players. Normally 11 picks is something to get excited about, but with eight in the last four rounds, they're not too significant. What does this mean? They'll probably use those extra picks to trade up in this draft or pick up some picks next year. Remember, compensation picks cannot be traded, so that fourth rounder and two sixth rounders are locked in.

Lito Sheppard trade rumors are beginning to heat up again. There's a good chance he's traded this weekend. What are the Eagles going to get? One popular rumor right now has Sheppard going to Tampa for their second rounder and another pick or player, speculated to be Michael Clayton. Who knows what happens from there? They'll almost have to use the extra pick to trade up or in another trade.

Next, I'll break things down position by position, in order of the likelihood they're taken by the Eagles. With a lot of picks, there's a good chance they cover a lot of positions. They don't have any huge holes that can easily be addressed, but they could also use a lot of depth in places. When I say the first day or second day of the draft, I'm still going by the 1-3 and 4-7 format.

Offensive Line
Likely to be addressed on the first day

People might groan if they take an Offensive Lineman early again, but isn't it a reasonable pick? The fact is, Tra Thomas and John Runyan are nearing the end, and the Eagles might not have adequate replacements for them. No one was impressed with Winston Justice this season, and even though they shouldn't give up on him, getting another tackle might not be a bad idea. Todd Herremans is probably a better tackle than guard, so if they don't see a tackle they like in the first round, it's possible they address guard later.

Names to watch: Ryan Clady, Boise State, Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh, Chris Williams, Vanderbilt, Sam Baker, Southern California, Brandon Albert, Virginia. All of these guys are slated to go in the first round, so if the Eagles want to add a lineman, they hope one of those guys is available.

Safety
They wanted to address it early last year, but didn't

I'm in the camp that believes they wanted to take Brandon Meriweather in the first round last year, but New England scooped him up. At that point, they didn't like anyone on the board and traded down to select Kevin Kolb. They obviously need to get younger and deeper at the position, but will they actually take one early? The way things stand right now, they have four safeties who can all contribute. Brian Dawkins is Brian Dawkins, and Considine, Mikell and Reed can all start a little and play special teams. They might not want to cut any of those guys, so there wouldn't be room for a rookie.

Names to watch: Kenny Phillips, Miami, Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame. Zbikowski might be more Notre Dame hype than substance, but he's a tough player who can return punts. Phillips should be on the board around when the Eagles pick.

Defensive End
It'll probably be addressed early in the draft

Although they already added another end in Chris Clemons, the Giants proved that having a lot of pass rushers can never hurt. I trust Jim Johnson to find snaps for everyone and ways to incorporate Cole, Clemons, Thomas, Abiamiri and whoever else might be put in the fold. I think they would've preferred to go after Jared Allen or Terrell Suggs, but the franchise tag (and in Allen's case, the trade to Minnesota,) prevented that from happening. Nabbing another pass rusher early couldn't hurt though.

Names to watch: Derrick Harvey, Florida, Phillip Merling, Clemson, Lawrence Jackson, Southern California. Harvey and Merling could be around at pick #19, and both would be good additions. Lawrence Jackson was once seen as one of the best prospects in the country, but his stock dipped after his senior season. He should be around in the second or third.

Cornerback
Likely to be addressed on the first day

If the Eagles trade Lito Sheppard, which seems to be getting more and more likely, how much did signing Asante Samuel really help? You have two very good corners with little depth beyond that. Joselio Hanson improved a little bit in 2007, but is anyone comfortable with him as the third corner? The Eagles need to get depth here, and it would be great if whoever they draft can return kicks.

Names to watch: Mike Jenkins, South Florida, Antoine Cason, Arizona, Aqib Talib, Kansas, Justin King, Penn State, Tracy Porter, Indiana. It's pretty likely that Jenkins, Cason and Talib are first rounders. It's also pretty likely that Jenkins is gone before the Eagles pick. As I mentioned, return ability has to be a factor when choosing a corner. King and Porter are both dynamic athletes, but they are not first round picks.

Wide Receiver
If they can't get the veteran they want, they might take one early

The Eagles have been rumored to be trying to acquire any receiver that might be available, including but not limited to Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and Fred Barnett. They need to add a playmaker, and if there aren't any veterans to be had, it has to be done through the draft. Obviously, the Eagles would prefer an experienced player because there wouldn't be an adjustment period from the college to the pro game. You never know if you're going to be able to get anything out of your WR in the first couple years of their career, and it's a big risk to take one.

Names to watch: Devin Thomas, Michigan State, Limas Sweed, Texas, DeSean Jackson, California, James Hardy, Indiana, Marcus Monk, Arkansas. Thomas, Sweed and Jackson could all go in the first round. None of them are particularly great because it's a weak class at the top this year. Jackson is a great return man which the Eagles definitely need, but should you use your first round pick on a special teams player? Hardy is interesting because of his size and super-productivity at Indiana. I threw Monk in there because he's a big guy who showed a lot of promise in his junior season.

Tight End
It might not be taken care of early, but L.J. Smith is probably gone after this year

The Eagles could use any playmakers they can get their hands on offensively, even if it means adding another Tight End. However, the reality is there may not be room for another. They've already signed Kris Wilson, and with Smith, Celek and Schobel on the roster along with two Fullbacks, how are they going to make room? Schobel could get cut, and it's just assumed that Smith is leaving after 2008, so finding a replacement couldn't hurt.

Names to watch: John Carlson, Notre Dame, Fred Davis, Southern California, Martin Rucker, Missouri. All three of those guys will probably be taken in the second or third round, so if the Eagles plan to take care of the position, they will have to do it early. Carlson and Rucker were both pretty productive and have good hands. Davis is an outstanding athlete who finally started living up to his potential in his senior season.

Linebacker
Depth will probably be taken care of on Sunday

The Eagles cut Takeo Spikes about a week into free agency, and he somewhat surprisingly hasn't found a new team yet. They're starting three players with two or fewer years of experience, and they could use a little more depth at the position. They might even use a high pick on one; they should be drafting the best player available, and it's possible that the philosophy lands them a LB.

Names to watch: Dan Connor, Penn State. He's really being shortchanged on draft boards, and it's a shame.

Defensive Tackle
Probably taken care of on the second day

The Eagles are set with starters Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson. With those two guys, it's not necessary to spend a high pick on a tackle. However, Jim Johnson likes to rotate in the middle, so it's important to replenish the depth. Jeremy Clark looks like he could become a decent player, and he could earn a spot on the roster if he has another strong camp. Darren Howard can play a little tackle, but they could still add another.

Names to watch: Andre Fluellen, Florida State. It looks like he'll be a mid round pick, and he fits the mold of Eagles' DT's. It doesn't reflect in his stats, but he's around 290-300 pounds and a pretty decent athlete.

Running Back
Could be earlier than you think

RB is a position like LB. It's obviously not an immediate concern with Brian Westbrook in the backfield, but there's a pretty deep class this year. I know they just drafted Tony Hunt and Correll Buckhalter isn't bad, but there's talent to be had here. Drafting a playbook that features more running plays wouldn't hurt either.

Names to watch: Felix Jones, Arkansas, Johnathan Stewart, Oregon, Ray Rice, Rutgers, Steve Slaton, West Virginia, Chris Johnson, East Carolina. Jones and Stewart both look like first rounders, so the Eagles would need to use a BPA strategy in the first to get either of them. That might upset a lot of fans, but they could add a lot to the offense. Rice and Slaton are both mid rounders, and Johnson is an outstanding athlete that could improve the return game.

Quarterback
Probably don't need another young guy

I doubt they take another QB, but you never know. They already have three on the roster, but it wouldn't surprise me if that number was down to two by the end of the weekend. There's apparently interest in A.J. Feeley, and the Eagles could acquire a pick for him. If a spot opens up, they'll probably look for a veteran, but there are a few guys to be had in the later rounds.

Names to watch: Colt Brennan, Hawaii, Paul Smith, Tulsa, Sam Keller, Nebraska, Anthony Morelli, Penn State. I really feel that Brennan is being underrated. I know he played in the pass happy offense, and I know that he got destroyed in the Sugar Bowl, but I've seen him, and I think he'll be a good player. He's accurate, makes good decisions and is pretty mobile. It might be tough to transition to a more pro style offense, but he can do it.

Fullback
They already have two, so they probably won't get another

The Eagles appear to be satisfied with Jason Davis and Dan Klecko heading into the season. However, there are a couple good Fullbacks out there, and what's the harm in a little competition?

Names to watch: Owen Schmitt, West Virginia. He's a very good blocker.

There's a little preview. I'll try and do a mock draft tomorrow morning.