I'm going to do brief pick by pick analysis in the first round and a little bit into the second. We'll see what happens.
31. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami- They need depth in the secondary, and after losing Gibril Wilson in the secondary, Phillips is a good pick. Miami's streak stays alive.
Dinner.
30. New York Jets (from GB): Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue- It seems to me that the Jets don't know what the draft is about. Or whatever Kiper said in that timeless Jets' drafting mishaps video. I think I'm close.
I don't think I mentioned the Eagles trade yet. They moved one of their 4th rounders for Lorenzo Booker from Miami. He may have potential as a kick returner, so it's a good deal.
29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina- I'm not quite sure how he's going to fit in with their defense. I think they could've done better. They have to be considering taking a receiver in the second round.
28. Seattle Seahawks (from DAL): Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern California- I wasn't sure if they would take an end since I assumed they were happy with Tapp and Kerney. However, Jackson was a pretty good player at USC, and they needed DL depth.
27. San Diego Chargers: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona- They needed another corner, and they got one. Cason is another guy who would've been drafted higher had he come out a year earlier, but he's in a good spot. San Diego is a good team, and he should be able to play right away.
26. Houston Texans (from JAX via BAL): Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech- It's been a big need for them since the franchise started. It's too bad it took them several years to figure it out.
Seattle picked up a couple second day picks to move down.
25. Dallas Cowboys (from SEA): Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida- Why did he have to go here? Jenkins was going to be my guy, and I wanted to get a jersey. Now I can't. Damn.
24. Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina- This was a pretty big reach, but NFLDC actually called this as a possibility. He's got awesome speed, and they can set up a very good one two punch with Lendale White. They might've been able to get him earlier though.
Maybe Tennessee will go Sweed here because of the Texas connection.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois- Very good pick for Pittsburgh. They wanted to get a compliment to Willie Parker, and Rashard has some power to finish runs. It's go time.
Apparently the Bobcats hired Larry Brown. I don't know what they're going to do. They have so many young players, he almost has to play some of them.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas- This was so predictable.
21. Atlanta Falcons (from WSH): Sam Baker, OT, Southern California- This may be a bit of a reach, but they want a pass protector for Ryan. His stock was sky high last year, and it dipped a little when he stayed for his senior season. Good pick for Atlanta.
20. Tampa Buccaneers: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas- If they wanted a corner, I'm surprised they didn't take the local kid in Jenkins. However, Talib will probably fit in their system very well. Some think of him as a safety, which means he's physical. That's what the Bucs need in their corners.
The Eagles got next year's first rounder and picked up a second. I guess it's okay. We don't need more picks though.
19. Carolina Panthers (from PHI): Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh- I'm not quite sure what the Eagles are thinking. Good pick for Carolina.
18. Baltimore Ravens (from HOU): Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware- Johnny, come on. Not the way to start your Baltimore coaching career.
17. Detroit Lions (from KC): Gosder Cherilius, OT, Boston College- In Mike Martz' system, their OL was exposed as very weak. In a new system, they would still be weak, but if they're going to commit to a running game, this is a good place to start. He's a mauler that will open up holes.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State- Another disappointment for Eagles fans. He has very good potential, and his return game made him interesting to Philadelphia. He didn't play against tough competition, and he's going to have to make some big adjustments to survive.
Lions got a 3rd and 5th rounder in addition to the #17 pick.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (from DET): Brandon Albert, OL, Virginia- Very disappointing for Eagles fans. This was the guy that the Eagles might've wanted, since he's most likely to stay at LT in the pros. Good move for KC to begin rebuilding their Offensive Line.
Chiefs traded up here. Not good.
14. Chicago Bears: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt- As I mentioned in my mock draft, Offensive Line was a problem for them. Cedric Benson needs help, and their offense is just not good. There are some injury concerns with him, but he's a smart guy that should become a good player.
13. Carolina Panthers: Johnathan Stewart, RB, Oregon- I don't get it. I think they had bigger needs to address, and I don't think he's the best RB on the board either. They could use some help in the trenches, and that's where games are won. I don't think they should be giving up on DeAngelo Williams already.
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State- The Broncos have a very good system in place, but all of a sudden, they're running out of guys to execute it. He'll be stepping into a similar system, and he should be able to start right away.
11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy- He maybe slipped a little bit, and the Bills took advantage. He's an incredibly athletic corner who will also help out in the return game. Buffalo needed secondary help, and they got one of the best in the draft.
10. New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo, MLB, Tennessee- This is somewhat surprising. Bill Belichick typically doesn't draft Linebackers high, and this one might be a bit of a reach. However, they needed youth at Linebacker, and this was a very good pick.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California- When Ellis went off the board, this one was a no brainer. Their defense is brutal, and they need an athletic playmaker that's not Dhani Jones to try and turn things around.
Looks like Baltimore is getting Jacksonville's 3rd rounders and a fourth in addition to their first rounder, obviously.
The Patriots got the #10 pick plus a 3rd rounder.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (from BAL): Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida- He's another very good pass rusher, which as I mentioned in my mock draft, something they needed badly. He's kind of local (just like Campbell!) and he can probably start right away.
7. New Orleans Saints (from NE): Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California- I expected the Patriots to trade out of here, and they did. The Saints were probably afraid that Baltimore or Cincinnati would take their guy. It's a very good pick for them. They don't have much depth in the middle, and Hollis Thomas can't play.
6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State- They need to improve the pass rush, and he might be the best pass rusher in the draft. He's a productive player who proved to be a great athlete at the combine, and that catapulted his stock this high.
The Eagles could be trading up to 7 with New England. Stay tuned.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State- They were very happy to see him fall. He's a great tackle who was very productive at LSU. KC needed depth up front badly, and this was a great pick for them.
RJ from DRaysBay is reporting that Tampa is trading for Jason Taylor. Who knows if it'll actually happen.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas- This is a very good pick for them. He might be the best player in the draft, and he'll be able to step in immediately and put points on the board for Oakland. Kudos on a job... done, Al Davis.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College- They need a QB, so I guess they feel obligated to spend a high pick on one. I maintain that he's not worth it, and it's too bad for Atlanta.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DL, Virginia- His name's Long, so he has to be good, right? They need help on defense badly, and he's one of the best defensive players in the draft.
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan- No one was really deserving of #1 bonus money, but they need tackles in the worst way, and Long is a safe bet to be a very good player.
Showing posts with label nfl draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nfl draft. Show all posts
Saturday, April 26, 2008
NFL Mock Draft That Won't Quite Look Like The Real One
This is it: the mock you've been waiting for. I'm certain to nail all 31 first round picks, so this is the place to look if you want to know who your team is taking.
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan- I just have a hunch.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DL, Virginia- They were 21st in the league in sacks last season, and they could use a playmaker to upgrade their terrible defense. Also, ESPN said this is who they're going to take.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State- Before they signed Michael Turner, I would've had Darren McFadden go here. Now, their new head coach will try to model what he did in Jacksonville with his great tackles and try to replicate it.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas- Their offense was straight up terrible last season, and McFadden might be the best player in the draft. He's a true playmaker that will instantly upgrade their running game.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State- They just traded Jared Allen, and now they have a hole at end opposite Tamba Hali. Gholston was a productive player who proved to be incredibly athletic at the combine.
6. New York Jets: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy- Their pass defense was in the middle of the pack last year, but they could still use another corner. This would give them two first round corners in the last two years, and that'll give them a nice building block moving forward.
7. New England Patriots: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State- I definitely think they're trading out of this pick because they won't want to deal with the big rookie contract. However, I'm not doing trades, so I'll give them the best guy at a position they might choose to address.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College- I don't like Matt Ryan at all. I don't think he's going to be successful, but in the NFL, teams take QB's high whether they deserve to go high or not.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California- Their defense is still absolutely terrible, and getting an athletic tackle is a good place to start upgrading. They're pretty weak in the middle, but they could also choose to add another Linebacker.
10. New Orleans Saints: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida- They traded for Johnathan Vilma this offseason, so they might want to look to another position in the draft to fix the defense. Jenkins is a very good corner who can help improve an absolutely terrible secondary.
11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State- Wide Receiver is like QB in this draft. None of them should be taken particularly high, but someone will draft them because of need. The Bills apparently like Thomas, and I don't know who else I would put here.
12. Denver Broncos: Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California- Their defense was surprisingly awful last season, and they need to get stronger against the run. Rivers is an athletic, productive player who has played against top notch competition.
13. Carolina Panthers: Branden Albert, OL, Virgnia- This guy has shot up draft boards because of the combine and private workouts, but I'm not going to buy into the hype as much as everyone else. Here's a good spot for him to land. Carolina needs to fix their line.
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh- Cedric Benson was terrible last year, and he's looking like more and more of a bust with each passing day. Is it because he can't play or because their line can't block? They'll find out next season.
15. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida- They apparently really like Harvey, and it's kind of a gift that he falls this far. They want to strengthen their pass rush, and he can really get to the Quarterback.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Stewart, RB, Oregon- He's a big, bruising RB, which is the kind of guy you'd think Ken Whisenhunt would want. Edgerrin James was a little better last season, but he's on his last legs, and the Cardinals need some youth at this position.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from MIN): Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt- I almost ran out of tackles in the first round, but fortunately, I remembered Williams. He's another guy rising draft boards, and the Chiefs really need to rebuild the OL after some retirements over the years.
18. Houston Texans: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas- After Dunta Robinson suffered a serious injury, Houston was left looking for answers at corner. Talib showed a lot of potential at Kansas, and I really want the next guy to fall to the Eagles.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State- I'm assuming Lito Sheppard is going to be traded, and that leaves them short one CB. DRC probably won't fall this far, so it's a nice little steal. He's also a great kick returner, which the Eagles desperately need.
20. Tampa Buccaneers: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas- This may be a bit of a reach, but I think he's the best receiver left on the board. He'll give them some size, and he can go over the middle. DeSean Jackson is a possibility, but he's more of a big deep threat, and Garcia's noodle arm might not be able to get the ball to him.
21. Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson- Their pass rush is still pretty lame, and Merling might be the player left on the board. He's a bit of a steal, and he's a complete end. Look for Washington to possibly do something stupid instead.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas- They already have Marion Barber, but why not? He's going to give the rest of the NFC East headaches during his career. Dallas doesn't have many spots where they obviously need an upgrade, so they can afford to do something like this.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami- Phillips will keep up Miami's first round streak alive, but I'm not sure if he'll go right here. They have that one guy who talks a lot of trash, but he's not a good player and the position can be upgraded.
24. Tennessee Titans: DeSean Jackson, WR, California- Their WR depth is ri-diculous, and with Pac Man Jones likely out the door, they could use a good return man too. Jackson can become a very good deep threat to help out Vince Young.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College- I'm not thrilled about this pick, and Seattle probably won't be either. I'd imagine they'll trade down.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami- Their DL suddenly looks a bit thin, and they can add depth by selecting this guy that's kind of local. Campbell was absolutely brutal in workouts, so his stock has fallen dramatically.
27. San Diego Chargers: Sam Baker, OT, Southern California- This may be a bit of a reach, but they have a hole at RT now. The Chargers won't pick again until the 5th round, so there's also a good chance someone trades up to get someone they actually want.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona- Cason was rated highly on boards last year, and I have no idea what happened. Either way, the Cowboys need a new corner.
29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Jerod Mayo, MLB, Tennessee- Hey Jerry, can you keep an eye on the aquarium and make sure no one taps on the glass?
30. Green Bay Packers: John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame- They really don't have any glaring holes, but they could choose to add depth at corner if they wanted to. Carlson has soft hands, and he'll be able to help out Aaron Rodgers a lot in his development.
31. New England Patriots: Oops
32. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State- I still can't believe they won the Super Bowl. Their defense is the side of the ball that needs the most help, and they could go LB or DB here. Connor is a guy not being respected by a lot of places, and I think he's a better prospect than Paul was.
There it is. The first round of the NFL draft. I'm kind of hoping I didn't forget anyone.
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan- I just have a hunch.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DL, Virginia- They were 21st in the league in sacks last season, and they could use a playmaker to upgrade their terrible defense. Also, ESPN said this is who they're going to take.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State- Before they signed Michael Turner, I would've had Darren McFadden go here. Now, their new head coach will try to model what he did in Jacksonville with his great tackles and try to replicate it.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas- Their offense was straight up terrible last season, and McFadden might be the best player in the draft. He's a true playmaker that will instantly upgrade their running game.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State- They just traded Jared Allen, and now they have a hole at end opposite Tamba Hali. Gholston was a productive player who proved to be incredibly athletic at the combine.
6. New York Jets: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy- Their pass defense was in the middle of the pack last year, but they could still use another corner. This would give them two first round corners in the last two years, and that'll give them a nice building block moving forward.
7. New England Patriots: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State- I definitely think they're trading out of this pick because they won't want to deal with the big rookie contract. However, I'm not doing trades, so I'll give them the best guy at a position they might choose to address.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College- I don't like Matt Ryan at all. I don't think he's going to be successful, but in the NFL, teams take QB's high whether they deserve to go high or not.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California- Their defense is still absolutely terrible, and getting an athletic tackle is a good place to start upgrading. They're pretty weak in the middle, but they could also choose to add another Linebacker.
10. New Orleans Saints: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida- They traded for Johnathan Vilma this offseason, so they might want to look to another position in the draft to fix the defense. Jenkins is a very good corner who can help improve an absolutely terrible secondary.
11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State- Wide Receiver is like QB in this draft. None of them should be taken particularly high, but someone will draft them because of need. The Bills apparently like Thomas, and I don't know who else I would put here.
12. Denver Broncos: Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California- Their defense was surprisingly awful last season, and they need to get stronger against the run. Rivers is an athletic, productive player who has played against top notch competition.
13. Carolina Panthers: Branden Albert, OL, Virgnia- This guy has shot up draft boards because of the combine and private workouts, but I'm not going to buy into the hype as much as everyone else. Here's a good spot for him to land. Carolina needs to fix their line.
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh- Cedric Benson was terrible last year, and he's looking like more and more of a bust with each passing day. Is it because he can't play or because their line can't block? They'll find out next season.
15. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida- They apparently really like Harvey, and it's kind of a gift that he falls this far. They want to strengthen their pass rush, and he can really get to the Quarterback.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Stewart, RB, Oregon- He's a big, bruising RB, which is the kind of guy you'd think Ken Whisenhunt would want. Edgerrin James was a little better last season, but he's on his last legs, and the Cardinals need some youth at this position.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from MIN): Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt- I almost ran out of tackles in the first round, but fortunately, I remembered Williams. He's another guy rising draft boards, and the Chiefs really need to rebuild the OL after some retirements over the years.
18. Houston Texans: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas- After Dunta Robinson suffered a serious injury, Houston was left looking for answers at corner. Talib showed a lot of potential at Kansas, and I really want the next guy to fall to the Eagles.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State- I'm assuming Lito Sheppard is going to be traded, and that leaves them short one CB. DRC probably won't fall this far, so it's a nice little steal. He's also a great kick returner, which the Eagles desperately need.
20. Tampa Buccaneers: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas- This may be a bit of a reach, but I think he's the best receiver left on the board. He'll give them some size, and he can go over the middle. DeSean Jackson is a possibility, but he's more of a big deep threat, and Garcia's noodle arm might not be able to get the ball to him.
21. Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson- Their pass rush is still pretty lame, and Merling might be the player left on the board. He's a bit of a steal, and he's a complete end. Look for Washington to possibly do something stupid instead.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas- They already have Marion Barber, but why not? He's going to give the rest of the NFC East headaches during his career. Dallas doesn't have many spots where they obviously need an upgrade, so they can afford to do something like this.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami- Phillips will keep up Miami's first round streak alive, but I'm not sure if he'll go right here. They have that one guy who talks a lot of trash, but he's not a good player and the position can be upgraded.
24. Tennessee Titans: DeSean Jackson, WR, California- Their WR depth is ri-diculous, and with Pac Man Jones likely out the door, they could use a good return man too. Jackson can become a very good deep threat to help out Vince Young.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College- I'm not thrilled about this pick, and Seattle probably won't be either. I'd imagine they'll trade down.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami- Their DL suddenly looks a bit thin, and they can add depth by selecting this guy that's kind of local. Campbell was absolutely brutal in workouts, so his stock has fallen dramatically.
27. San Diego Chargers: Sam Baker, OT, Southern California- This may be a bit of a reach, but they have a hole at RT now. The Chargers won't pick again until the 5th round, so there's also a good chance someone trades up to get someone they actually want.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona- Cason was rated highly on boards last year, and I have no idea what happened. Either way, the Cowboys need a new corner.
29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Jerod Mayo, MLB, Tennessee- Hey Jerry, can you keep an eye on the aquarium and make sure no one taps on the glass?
30. Green Bay Packers: John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame- They really don't have any glaring holes, but they could choose to add depth at corner if they wanted to. Carlson has soft hands, and he'll be able to help out Aaron Rodgers a lot in his development.
31. New England Patriots: Oops
32. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State- I still can't believe they won the Super Bowl. Their defense is the side of the ball that needs the most help, and they could go LB or DB here. Connor is a guy not being respected by a lot of places, and I think he's a better prospect than Paul was.
There it is. The first round of the NFL draft. I'm kind of hoping I didn't forget anyone.
Friday, April 25, 2008
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.
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.
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