Philadelphia Eagles Team Needs
Frank Coyle, Special to Rivals.com
Key Team Needs:
1. Defensive back
2. Defensive end
3. Linebacker
4. Running back
5. Wide receiver
1. Defensive Back - This area has become a problem after free agency losses. They have little depth at corner and safety, and could take the best player available at the 26th pick – Marcus McCauley, Brandon Meriweather or Aaron Ross. They like safeties Michael Griffin, Eric Weddle and Aaron Rouse in the second and third rounds. Expect a fairly high draft selection at both positions because the talent level falls fairly quickly. Philadelphia may consider moving up in the second and third rounds for defenders they like. 2. Defensive End - They have not received the impact expected from Jevon Kearse, and former top pick Jerome McDougle faces a critical camp to even make the squad. In a fairly deep defensive end class, they will consider drafting into this depth with an early pick. At the 26th overall pick, they may have a chance at Jarvis Moss or Charles Johnson. They like Victor Abiamiri and Quentin Moses in the second round. Recent top picks at end, Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson, have played poorly in general and have left the front four with more questions than answers in recent seasons. In a thin defensive tackle class, the best value on the board with their No. 2 pick may be Justin Harrell, Ray McDonald or Tank Tyler in the middle of the first day. These are defenders with the versatility to fill a few roles in different schemes.
3. Linebacker - The Eagles have Jeremiah Trotter on the inside with young talent on the outside in Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong and Matt McCoy. That may not stop them from using an early selection here if the value is good in the first round. A player like Paul Posluszny might be tough to pass up there. They also like Stewart Bradley and Tim Shaw very much, and will consider them on the first day.
3. Linebacker - The Eagles have Jeremiah Trotter on the inside with young talent on the outside in Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong and Matt McCoy. That may not stop them from using an early selection here if the value is good in the first round. A player like Paul Posluszny might be tough to pass up there. They also like Stewart Bradley and Tim Shaw very much, and will consider them on the first day.
4. Running Back - The Eagles have little depth at this position behind talented Brian Westbrook and injury prone veteran Correll Buckhalter. They are different types of runners, and they would welcome a versatile performer to fill a few roles. They need a quality backup with starting potential and should have a chance at any back other than Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. Though it is not their highest need, they have to look at either Brian Leonard, Kenny Irons or Tony Hunt in the second round. Most likely they will add a middle-round prospect, and they like Michael Bush and Darius Walker on the second day.
5. Wide Receiver - The Eagles signed veterans Kevin Curtis and Bethel Johnson after losing Danté Stallworth in the free agent market. Though not their highest need area, they may draft into the deep receiving corps on value alone. Wideout Dwayne Jarrett is falling and could be available at the 26th overall selection. They will be looking to upgrade this unit, though probably more on the middle rounds. Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com writes about the NFL Draft for Rivals.com. Coyle’s work can be found at www.draftinsiders.com, where he offers a free NFL e-mail service.
I agree with most of this, except receiver. Dwayne Jarrett at 26? I dont think so. This is the Eagles we are talking about, not the Detroit Lions. Reggie Brown is a rising star, and Kevin Curtis is a solid addition. Avant, Baskett, Lewis, Bloom, and Johnson, give them some nice depth. I know none of them has done a heck of a lot, but I know they are really high on them. Especially Jason Avant, and Hank Baskett. To me this is not a team need at all. I dont think they take a WR in this draft
As far a RB goes, what about Ryan Moats? That seems to be a big question that not many know the awnser to. He showed some nice flashes his rookie season, when he filled in for an injured Brian Westbrook, but has seen almost no playing time since. Where does he fit into the Eagles plans? I hear rumors that Denver wants to trade for Moats. Keep an eye on that during that draft.
He also missed on the need of tight end. All signs point to L.J. Smith bolting after this season, his last under contract as an Eagle. I am sure they will be heavily evaluating this years tight end class, to see if they can find a cheaper replacement. I doubt they would go tight end at 26, but I definately can see them going that route in the 2nd, 3rd, or 5th. Some good tight ends of mention in this years draft: Greg Olsen from the U, Zach Miller ASU, and Ben Patrick from Delaware. I also hear the birds like Kevin Boss from Western Oregon, and Johnny Harline from BYU.(a mormon what a shock)
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