After reading Tom Heckert’s quotes from his pre-draft interview, we were able to tell a few things about what the Eagles are thinking in terms of the draft.
– Left tackle is not a #1 priority. If the Eagles don’t acquire a left tackle in the draft or via a trade, they will go with either Todd Herremans or Shawn Andrews at left tackle and they’re not worried about that. Nick Cole or Max Jean-Gilles can fill whatever hole is left by them at guard. Mike McGlynn looks to be a solid backup at guard as well, so the Eagles are not in “panic mode” to grab a tackle.
– Heckert has emphasized repeatedly that the Eagles have the “ammo” to move up to the top of the round. If the Eagles move into the top 10, there are only two players, in my opinion, worth taking: Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe. If Andre Smith falls to 10, the Eagles could trade up without having to deal both first-rounders to get him, so that may be another option. Heckert seems to be high on him and stated the media unfairly blasted him for him leaving the Combine. Heckert emphasized that he was a good player in college and that shouldn’t change in the Pros.
– Don’t count on a RB in round one or even round two, but don’t rule it out either. The Eagles said they think they can get a good running back in the later rounds. There’s always good RBs in the later rounds. The Eagles appear to be looking for a guy in round 3 or 4. I’m a huge fan of Mike Goodson out of Texas A&M — he’s a Westbrook clone, but there are some concerns about his size (208 pounds). Keep in mind, however, that Westbrook is only 203 pounds. I also like Andre Brown, but he comes with some injury concerns. I think he has the most potential out of the 3rd round backs. I’m not very high on Shonn Greene, he’s too slow for my taste. Rashad Jennings is a decent prospect that the Eagles could land in round 3. Last resort for the Eagles would be Javon Ringer in round 4. He was extremely impressive in college, but has some concerns with his size as well (205 pounds). I would even take a shot on Boise State RB Ian Johnson in round 7 to see how he does in camp. Maybe he could beat out Booker for that 3rd RB spot.
With Tra Thomas’s departure to Jacksonville, the Eagles have a huge need to address at the left tackle spot. We already know the Eagles have stockpiled draft picks. The Eagles have 12 picks in this year’s draft and they don’t intent to keep them all. The Eagles traded Lito Sheppard and Greg Lewis to acquire more draft picks that they can deal to either move up in the draft or use a combination of picks to go after Bills LT Jason Peters. Peters is a 6’4″, 340 lbs., 27-year-old LT with 6 years of experience. He would be a much needed addition if the Bills are willing to deal him.
Adding a veteran tackle like Orlando Pace is another idea. Pace was just released by the Rams. With all the recent injuries, I’m wondering if he’s serviceable at all, but if the Eagles have to draft a tackle, they will want to add a veteran as some “insurance.”
We know that the Eagles wanted a tackle in last year’s draft. Chris Williams was their guy. His stock skyrocketted in the days leading up to the draft and the Bears took him with their 14th pick. The next guy on the Eagles radar was Brandon Albert, but the Chiefs traded up to grab him before the Eagles could make their move to get him. This prompted the Eagles to trade out of the first round and they still got another guy that they wanted: DeSean Jackson.
Last year was much deeper at tackle than this year’s draft, so I’m wondering what the Eagles thoughts are this year on drafting a tackle. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe should be locks to go in the top 10, so they are way out of the range for the Eagles to trade up. Andre Smith would be another top-10 lock if it wasn’t for his breakdown at the combine. Perhaps an impressive Pro Day will put him back at the top of the board and a team like Cincinnati could jump on him with their 6th pick. That would put Michael Oher as a potential guy the Eagles could target, but would have to trade up for.
We also know the Eagles want to get their hands on Brandon Pettigrew to fill the TE spot left by the departure of L.J. Smith. With the Eagles drafting at 21 and 28, I expect the Eagles to package some of their late-round picks with each of their first rounders to move up a few spots to secure Michael Oher and Brandon Pettigrew.
If the Eagles don’t find a trading partner and have to stay put and the top tackles are off the board, what do the Eagles do? Do they draft another position of need (RB) or do they go with the next best tackle? Who knows. William Beatty and Eben Britton are the consensus next-best tackles. The Eagles would also have their choice of Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno, or LeSean McCoy at pick 28, but the Eagles never draft a RB in the first round and RB is deep in this year’s draft. I wouldn’t be opposed to waiting until round 2 or 3 to grab a RB. There are great options in the later rounds. Iowa’s Shonne Green and NC State’s Andre Brown are good options in round 2, but I think the Eagles will have their eyes set on Texas A&M’s Mike Goodson as a 2nd or 3rd-round target. If the Eagles go OT/TE with their first two picks, I would definitely jump on taking Goodson with a 2nd-round pick. Goodson posted a 4.54 40-yard-dash at the Combine, but improved that to a 4.43 at his Pro Day. Plus, his skills at catching the ball out of the backfield have been praised, which is a prerequisite to be an Eagles RB.
Watching Material (Remind you of Brian Westbrook at all?)
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