Eagles Draft Preview (kinda long)

PICKS

1st round – 23rd overall

2nd round – 54th overall

3rd round – 85th overall

4th round – 104th, from WAS (McNabb deal)
4th round – 120th overall

5th round – 149th, from SD
5th round – 153rd overall

7th round – 228th overall
7th round – Comp, 236th
7th round – Comp, 239th

Total of 10 picks.

10 picks sounds great, but 3 of them are late picks in a draft that isn’t very deep. We don’t have as much ammo as some would lead you to believe.

Let’s talk about trading up. Why do it? The Eagles believe in acquiring top flight players when possible. The thing to do is identify special players and target them. Normally there are several guys to target (Eric Berry, Suh, and CJ Spiller were some last year). This year isn’t great. Just one guy that I’d outright consider special for us.

CB Patrick Peterson

Other teams might feel this way about Marcel Dareus, AJ Green, and Von Miller as well as Peterson. There are some fringe guys. OT Tyron Smith has really good potential, but didn’t really emerge until this season. Another year in school and he might be #1 overall.

There is a different group of guys to consider as trade-up targets. I think it breaks into two types, unique players and great fits. Unique players are guys that didn’t become great players in college, but that have some rare size/speed combos or special potential. Great fits, well that should be obvious. Sometimes you find a guy that just feels like a perfect fit for your team. He’s worth moving up go get. Who might some of these players be in 2011?

DE J.J. Watt – Wisconsin — Jim Washburn loves DEs that are 6’3, 260, but Watt is 6’5, 290. He’s special because he has the athleticism of a smaller guy. Former TE is a gifted athlete. I think he should go in the Top 10, but if he slides to the mid-teens this is a guy I could see the Eagles going for. Let’s put this in perspective. Omar Gaither ran 4.78 at the Combine. JJ Watt ran 4.84…almost 60 pounds heavier. He’s not just big and fast. Watt has the agility to be a good pass rusher.

DE Robert Quinn – UNC — This is a longshot because I think Quinn will go 5th overall, but if he somehow slides out of the Top 10, I could see the Eagles going for him. As a Sophomore he had 11 sacks and 6 FFs. He was emerging into a dominant defender, but was suspended in 2010. Might remind Washburn of Jevon Kearse in terms of build and ability. Could be special pass rusher.

DT Nick Fairley – Auburn — The Eagles won’t aggressively go after him, but might be interested if he slides down into the late teens or early 20s. Fairley has some issues, but you put on the game tape and see a guy just disrupting game after game. If you can find DTs who create inside pressure, that can have a tremendous impact on your defense. Getting to Drew Brees off the edge is darn near impossible. Getting him up the middle is the way to go. Fairley is an outstanding interior rusher.

CB Prince Amukamara – Nebraska — Not as talented as Jimmy Smith, but a much safer pick. Amukamara is the kind of guy you actually want in your locker room. He is big, fast, and talented as well. There is a possibility he could get through a gauntlet of CB hungry teams and into the early teens. If the price is right, the Eagles could go after him. Or maybe Prince is tabbed by the Cowboys with pick 9.

DE Ryan Kerrigan – Purdue — What? Lawlor is rambling about Kerrigan again? You bet. I think Washburn would love a player like him. Washburn had good success with Kyle Vanden Bosch and Kerrigan reminds me a lot of him. Plus, wouldn’t it be cool to have a DE that is taller than 6’2?

Okay, now we know who the team might covet or be interested in up high. Let’s focus on 5 names that the Eagles think could be on the board at 23 and have interest in.

CB Jimmy Smith
G/C Mike Pouncey
DT Muhammad Wilkerson
DE Brooks Reed
DE Adrian Clayborn

Honestly, I’m only really comfortable with the first two names. Beyond that, things get iffy. And I think the Eagles must feel the same way and that’s why they are interested in trading back. Smith we’ve discussed plenty. Big time talent who could start right away for us. Pouncey also fits a need and is a good player. Could challenge Jamaal Jackson at C or McGlynn at RG.

Wilkerson has the talent to be a starter, but we’re already 4 deep with veteran DTs. He would be a pick for the future, unless he was able to outplay the current guys right off the bat. It’s hard to say how quickly he’ll transition from Temple to the NFL. Reed isn’t a gifted athlete, but is a real good fit for Washburn’s system. Clayborn looked like a stud in 2009 before struggling as a Senior. If we could get him back on track, he’d be a steal. That’s not a sure thing, unfortunately. I wouldn’t take him at 23. I don’t know if the Eagles might.

Part of the attraction in trading back is that the bottom 3 guys could all still be on the board in the late 1st or even early 2nd. Why take them at 23 if you can move back, get another pick, and still get them?

Top 5 targets if we move back in the 30-35 range

DE Brooks Reed
CB Aaron Williams
CB Ras-I Dowling
G Danny Watkins
DE Adrian Clayborn

Reed and Clayborn were discussed earlier. Williams lacks elite speed, but is a really good football player. If he doesn’t work at CB, he could convert to S. I think he’s got a legit shot to be an NFL corner. Dowling has great size/speed numbers. Big time potential. I’m not a huge fan of going for Watkins here because he’s already 26 years old and is a G/C, but Mudd might love him and think he could be a star OL for us. If so, Watkins could be an early 2nd target.

PROBABLE DEPTH CHART

WR – DeSean Jackson….Jason Avant
WR – Jeremy Maclin …. Riley Cooper …… Chad Hall
TE – Brent Celek ………Clay Harbor
FB – Owen Schmitt
RB – LeSean McCoy …. Jerome Harrison….. Eldra Buckley
QB – Mike Vick………… Kevin Kolb …………Mike Kafka
LT – Jason Peters ……. Austin Howard
LG – Todd Herremans … Dallas Reynolds
OC – Jamaal Jackson …. AQ Shipley
RG – Mike McGlynn ……. Max Jean-Gilles
RT – Winston Justice …. King Dunlap …….. Fenuki Tupou

DE – Trent Cole ……….. Daniel Teo-N …… Ricky Sapp …. Phillip Hunt
DT – Antonio Dixon …….Brod Bunkley
DT – Mike Patterson …. Trevor Laws
DE – Juqua Parker ……. Darryl Tapp ……… Brandon Graham
WB – Jamar Chaney ….. Keenan Clayton
MB – Stewart Bradley
SB – Moise Fokou …….. Rashad Jeanty
SS – Kurt Coleman …… Colt Anderson
FS – Nate Allen ………. Marlin Jackson (longshot, but he does have a pulse)
CB – Joselio Hanson …. Brandon Hughes
CB – Asante Samuel ….. Trevard Lindley

P – Sav Rocca
K – David Akers
LS – Jon Dorenbos

NEEDS (not in order)

RB – Shady McCoy is the primary back. Jerome Harrison is the backup, but the Eagles aren’t committed to him long term. There is a need for a young back to develop. The Eagles have looked all over. They could go for a speed back, in hopes that he would deliver big plays with limited touches. They could go for a big back to serve as a complement to Shady. Good talent on the boards in rounds 3-5.

WR – Depth pick. The top 4 are set. Chad Hall returns, hoping to keep his job and improve as a player. That would be great, but he must get challenged. Hall didn’t show enough last year to be counted on. The Eagles are likely to want a WR with RS ability.

OG/C – We need a starting caliber G. Should anything happen to JamJax, McGlynn has to slide back to the middle. I’m not comfortable counting on Max Jean-Gilles in the new system. The rookie could be taken as early as the 1st round, but as late as the 4th. You can find good interior linemen in the mid rounds. Sometimes those guys are able to contribute immediately.

DE – We have plenty of bodies. The only reason to add a DE is if the team just loves a prospect. We don’t need quantity. We could always use more quality.

DT – The mystery position. What does Jim Washburn think of Patt, Bunk, Dixon, and Laws? I’ve not heard anything. No idea if he is happy or desperate. I tend to think we’ll add a DT in the mid or late rounds, but like I said…the mystery position.

LB -We do need help. Bad news, though. This draft class lacks 4-3 LB talent. We’re better off waiting til the 4th and 5th rounds and taking a few LBs and then hoping one turns out to be a player. Seth Joyner wasn’t the first LB taken by Buddy Ryan in 1986, but he became the best. We have versatile guys on the roster so we can take an ILB or OLB.

S – I get the feeling we’re planning to add a veteran S in free agency (assuming Q leaves). That means we aren’t likely to add a S early in the draft. This isn’t a good Safety class so I don’t anticipate anyone being of interest in the 1st or 2nd rounds.

CB – We need at least one CB. This year, I hope he’s not a 4th rounder from Kentucky. This isn’t a great CB class, but there are multiple guys the Eagles could like. We could find our guy in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round. Beyond that I think we’re looking at projects. We need someone who can challenge for a starting job right away.

STs – Do we bring in a PK? The Eagles will probably retain the rights to David Akers, but it is time to start developing someone behind him. Probably a UDFA or street free agent as opposed to a draft pick. Sav Rocca and Jon Dorenbos are fine for now.

PROSPECTS — VISITS / SPECIAL INTEREST

I’m leaving QBs out of this. I think that was primarily smokescreens to make other teams consider trading up with us. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see us going for a rookie QB.

GUYS WHO CAME TO PHILLY

DT Stephen Paea – Oregon State
DT Jarvis Jenkins – Clemson
LB Akeem Ayers – UCLA
LB Casey Matthews – Oregon
LB Lawrence Wilson – UConn
S Rahim Moore – UCLA
S DeJuan Gomes – Nebraska
CB Jimmy Smith – Colorado
CB Davon House – New Mexico State
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke – Miami
CB Jalil Brown – Colorado
CB Korey Lindsey – Southern Illinois
CB Josh Thomas – Buffalo

RB Alex Green – Hawaii
RB Kendall Hunter – Oklahoma State
RB DeMarco Murray – Oklahoma
RB Daniel Thomas – Kansas State
G Caleb Schlauderaff – Utah
G/C Jason Kelce – Cincinnati

PLAYERS WHO GOT VISITS FROM COACHES / PRIVATE WORKOUTS

WR Greg Little – UNC
WR Ronald Johnson – USC
WR Aldrick Robinson – SMU
RB Brian Maddox – South Carolina
T Ben Ijalana – Villanova
G Will Rackley – Lehigh
C Brandon Fusco – Slippery Rock

DT Muhammad Wilkerson – Temple
LB Ross Homan – Ohio State
LB Brian Rolle – Ohio State
LB Scott Lutrus – UConn
LB Doug Hogue – Syracuse
LB Adrian Moten – Maryland
LB Mario Harvey – Marshall
LB Greg Lloyd – UConn
S Chris Conte – Cal
S Jaiquawn Jarrett – Temple
S Robert Sands – West Virginia
S Isa Abdul El Quddus – Fordham
CB Brandon Harris – Miami
CB Curtis Marsh – Utah State
CB Rashad Carmichael – Virginia Tech

PLAYERS WHO WE SHOWED SPECIAL INTEREST IN

DT Kenrick Ellis – Hampton (formerly South Carolina)
DT Miguel Chavis – Clemson

SMALL SCHOOL GUYS WE LOOKED AT

OG David Arkin – Missouri State
OT Michael Arndt – North Dakota State
G/C Dave Valley – Rhode Island
WR Chris Hogan – Monmouth
WR Tyler Beiler – Bridgewater

DT Ty Boyle – North Dakota
LB Ross Cochran – North Dakota
LB Deron Mayo – Hofstra/Old Dominon (brother of Jerod Mayo)
LB Joseph Harris – Rhode Island
LB Matt Hansen – Rhode Island
CB Josh Gatlin – North Dakota State
CB Jarrod Williams – Rhode Island (big CB from Philly area)

EAGLES VALUE BOARD

Because the Eagles are so specific I’m trying to list players that I think have a likelihood to be on the Eagles draft list. I will be omitting good players. The value board is a combination of grade + need.

*1st Round*

OT: Tyron Smith, Anthony Castonzo, Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder

G/C: Mike Pouncey

DE: Robert Quinn, JJ Watt, Ryan Kerrigan, Aldon Smith, Brooks Reed

DT: Nick Fairley, Corey Liuget, Cam Jordan, Muhammad Wilkerson, Cam Heyward

CB: Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara, Jimmy Smith, Aaron Williams

*2nd Round*

RB: Mikel Leshoure, Ryan Williams

TE: Kyle Rudolph

OT: Derek Sherrod, Ben Ijalana

OG: Danny Watkins, Clint Bowling, Stefen Wisniewski

DE: Adrian Clayborn, Sam Acho, Jabaal Sheard

DT: Stephen Paea, Christian Ballard

LB: Bruce Carter (torn ACL)

ILB: Martez Wilson

S: Rahim Moore

CB: Ras-I Dowling, Brandon Harris, Davon House

*3rd Round*

RB: Daniel Thomas, Taiwan Jones, Kendall Hunter, DeMarco Murray

WR: Randall Cobb

OT: Marcus Gilbert

OG: Rodney Hudson, Will Rackley,

DT: Drake Nevis, Jurrell Casey, Terrell McClain, Kenrick Ellis, Jarvis Jenkins

LB: Chris Carter

ILB: Casey Matthews, Quan Sturdivant

S: Marcus Gilchrist, Chris Conte

CB: Curtis Brown, Johnny Patrick, Curtis Marsh

*4th Round*

RB: Shane Vereen, Jacquizz Rodgers, Alex Green, Delone Carter

WR: Titus Young, Jerrell Jernigan, Greg Little, Niles Paul, Austin Pettis, Dwayne Harris, Denarius Moore

TE: Jordan Cameron

OT: James Brewer

OG: John Moffitt, Jason Pinkston

OC: Kris O’Dowd, Brandon Fusco

DT: Lawrence Guy, Cedric Thornton

LB: Mason Foster, Ross Homan, Lawrence Wilson

ILB: Colin McCarthy, Nate Irving

S: DeAndre McDaniel, Ahmad Black,

CB: Brandon Burton, Shareece Wright, Richard Sherman

___________________

All-Tommy Team (my favorite non-1st rounders)

WR Aldrick Robinson – SMU
WR Vincent Brown – SDSU
TE Andre Smith – Virginia Tech
FB Anthony Sherman – UConn
RB Delone Carter – Syracuse
QB Nathan Enderle – Idaho
OT Byron Bell – New Mexico
OG Julian Vandervelde – Iowa
OC Brandon Fusco – Slippery Rock
OG Rodney Hudson – Florida State
OT Jah Reid – UCF

DE Sam Acho – Texas
DT Ollie Ogbu – Penn State
DT Terrell McClain – USF
DE Bruce Miller – UCF
LB Ross Homan – Ohio State
LB Nate Irving – NC State
LB Brian Rolle – Ohio State
S Marcus Gilchrist – Clemson
S Byron Landor – Baylor
CB Shareece Wright – USC
CB Johnny Patrick – Louisville

Out of this list I want the Eagles to get 4 players…guys I covet (more or less)

RB Alex Green – Hawaii … great fit
RB Taiwan Jones – Eastern Washington … explosive player
RB Delone Carter – Syracuse … thick RB with some power
WR Cecil Shorts – Mt. Union … versatile playmaker
G Clint Boling – Georgia … ready to step in at RG
G Will Rackley – Lehigh … could be very good RG or C
G Stefen Wisniewski – Penn State … G or C potential and NFL ready
C Brandon Fusco – Slippery Rock … can play C or G and he’s got a mean streak

DE Ryan Kerrigan – Purdue … great motor, great fit, and he’s got a bigger frame
DE JJ Watt – Wisconsin … rare size/speed combo and he is a natural pass rusher
DE Jabaal Sheard – Pitt … very good motor and he fits our new scheme
DT Stephen Paea – Oregon State … great motor and powerful, productive player
DT Ollie Ogbu – Penn State … late round target who could thrive as a role player
LB Ross Homan – Ohio State … versatile LB who runs well and is tough
LB Brian Rolle – Ohio State … smaller, but physical and runs like a Safety
S Marcus Gilchrist – Clemson … could play SS, NB, or CB plus he can be a RS
CB Jimmy Smith – Colorado … big corner who can run and cover
CB Ras-I Dowling – Virginia … high character guy with size, speed, and good hands
CB Aaron Williams – Texas … worth risk at CB, but could go to S if needed

Please Avoid These Players List

DT Marvin Austin (team captain) … reputation as turd + underachiever
S Quinton Carter … too iffy as a tackler
DE Allen Bailey … lacks motor needed to be top pass rusher
DL Christian Ballard … good athlete, but not consistently productive + somewhat of a tweener

M*A*S*H Unit

There are several talented players in this class who have medical issues.

* DE Da’Quan Bowers — Pass. He could be on the board at #23, but with our luck with guys with bad knees…too pricey to risk. Plus, he’s a one-year wonder.

* DE Adrian Clayborn — He’s got Erb’s Palsy, a permanent condition that may or may not affect his football future. Makes me nervous.

* LB Bruce Carter — I’d consider him in the 2nd round. You’d be getting 1st round talent. Does have a torn ACL, but there are no Cornelius Ingram bad surgery concerns and he didn’t have a catastrophic injury like Jack Ikegwuonu. Carter might be able to contribute in 2011, at least as a STer.

* G Marcus Cannon — Reportedly he’s got lymphoma. Treatments could take up to 4 months, which would affect him for the 2011 season. I’m not sure he’s an Eagles target anyway. Doesn’t fit the new scheme from what I can tell.

* LB Scott Lutrus — 2 years ago he was on track to maybe be a Top 100 pick (or better). Now…who knows? Productive, big, talented, and athletic. Had some troublesome stinger injuries that will scare NFL teams. LBs are susceptible to those. Someone having stinger problems in a college season seems likely to have them in the NFL. Or is there something medically that can be done?

* DE Greg Romeus — Had back surgery early in the 2010 season. Returned from that and then tore his ACL. Big guy with talent, but knee and back injuries are scary for a guy like him. Do you use a late round pick on him?

* S Deunta Williams — Nasty broken leg in his bowl game. Very good player that I would love to have. If he checks out and is on the board in the 5th, I’d take him.

* LB Nate Irving — Played in 2010, but missed all of 2009 after being in horrible car crash. If his legs get better, he’d be a mid-round steal. If not, you hope he’s fast enough for the NFL. At least a good STer.

* LB Mark Herzlich — See above. Mark missed ’09 while battling cancer in his leg. He’s fine now, but isn’t the same athlete. Will he improve or is this it? Are there any long term concerns? Could be worth a late round pick.

SUMMARY

This is not a great draft class. Not even close. The Eagles don’t need to come away with a ton of players. They could stay put and use all 10 picks and land a solid class. The smart thing is to identify a handful of key targets and go for them, which is what I anticipate the team doing.

I think we need to come away with a high quality CB and G/C. I think we’ll get a quality RB because there are so many guys available. Beyond that, we’ll just have to wait and see.

I’ll post a final Eagles mock draft on Thursday morning.