Draft Talk

Posted: April 2nd, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Tags: , , | 4 Comments »

In case you missed it, my latest PE.com column covers some Eagles draft talk.   More talk about Jimmy Smith.

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A couple of DTs are visiting the Eagles in the near future.  Temple’s Muhammad Wilkerson is coming in.  He’s a local visit so this isn’t the same as someone coming from out of town.  Still, it does show interest.

I’ve gone back and forth as to whether the Eagles will like him.  Initially I thought he would be a target.  Wilkerson is a big, tall guy that moves well.  Who wouldn’t be interested?  Then I started thinking Washburn would want more of a sleek build.  As I did some research for my recent DT post I realized that Jason Jones was really the only sleek DT he had at Tennessee.  Plenty were quick and athletic, but they came in different shapes and sizes.  Wilkerson is quick enough and athletic enough to play for Jim Washburn.  I’m now back to thinking Muhammad he will be a target.  I still lean toward the Eagles going CB in the 1st, but if we can trade Kolb and get another pick…DT could be a target.

Aaron Wilson of the NFP reports that Stephen Paea will visit.  Paea (6-1, 303) played at Oregon State.  He got a lot of press for setting the Combine record with 49 reps on the bench press, but Paea isn’t some workout wonder.  He is a darn good football player.  Some scouts love this guy.  I know at least one who considers Paea his favorite player in the whole draft.

Put on the tape and you see a high motor guy.  Paea is excellent in pursuit.  His strength from the bench press translates to the field.  Paea has played down in the 280s and 290s, but he was never easy to move off the ball.  I’ve seen him handle double teams.  I’ve gotten questions about Paea and DT Corey Liuget.  I do like Paea better.  Liuget may get drafted higher, but I value Paea’s motor and track record.  He had 29.5 career TFLs and played at a high level for 3 full seasons.  Paea hurt his knee at the Senior Bowl (making him more of an Eagles target?).  It wasn’t an ACL so it isn’t a huge issue, but it has limited his ability to workout for teams.