Well the Draft is over and lets see how the Eagles did. Before we start on who they picked up lets take a good look at what they need and which need is the biggest. The Eagles filled a big need at offensive tackle by trading the second of their two first-round picks to Buffalo for Jason Peters, but they probably should work on their offensive line depth anyway maybe late in the draft. Finding a running back to compliment Brian Westbrook is certainly a priority, but like I've been saying for some time now picking up a big Wide Receiver or a good receiving TE has to be their top offensive priority. On defense Quinton Demps most likely will be taking over Brian Dawkins position (Who is going to take his place as leader?) The Eagles most likely will pick up a DB of some kind to help with depth. So from this we should see them pick up a WR, a RB, and a DB as quick as possible then work on some depth positions probably on the OL. Now lets see what they actually did.
- Round 1: Pick 19 :
Jeremy Maclin (WR)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 198
College: Missouri
Conference: Big 12
Hometown: Kirkwood, MO
High School: Kirkwood
40 Yard Dash : 4.48 seconds
The Eagles made a move to grab a prolific playmaker with their first round picks. In just two seasons at Missouri, Maclin established himself as one of college football's most dangerous offensive threats, he found the end zone a total of 32 times in 28 contests. He is the only player in Missouri history to score on a reception, a rushing attempt, a punt return, and a kickoff return. He is just the third player in NCAA history to average more than 200 all-purpose yards per game during a career (202.36 ypg). His 2,776 all-purpose yards in 2007 set a major college single-season record for freshmen. The following season, he became the sixth player in NCAA annals to amass more than 2,800 all-purpose yards in a season (2,833). In addition Maclin's 1,346 yards in total kick returns in 2007 was two yards shy of the NCAA single-season record. He became one of only two major college players (Derek Abney of Kentucky 2000-03) to ever gain more than 2,000 yards receiving and more than 2,000 yards in kickoff returns during a career, with Maclin accomplishing that feat in only two seasons. Maclin burst onto the scene in 2007, becoming the first freshman in school history to earn All-American first-team honors. He set the NCAA freshman single-season record with 2,776 all-purpose yards, scoring a total of 16 times on 199 touches. In 2008, he became the sixth player in league history to catch more than 100 passes (102) in a season, gaining 1,260 yards (12.4 avg) with 13 touchdowns. He became the first Big 12 player to score on a kickoff return, punt return, rushing attempt and reception in more than one season. He would also become only the second major college player to gain more than 1,000 kickoff return yards (1,010) in back-to-back seasons. Maclin's average of 73.18 yards per game gained on kickoff returns is the best since Steve Odom of Utah set the NCAA record (78.24 ypg, 1971-73). Maclin's 1,346 yards in total kick returns in 2007 was two yards shy of the NCAA single-season record.
Conclusion: The Eagles lack of a big receiver can possibly be overcome with DeSean Jackson and Maclin on the field at the same time. Much like Jackson, whether lining up in the slot, at split end, flanker or coming out of the backfield, Maclin's vision and superb quickness forces the defense to account for him on every play. he has the requisite skills to shine in the Eagles’ West Coast offense, and he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field, just like Jackson. This combination will give the Eagles the ability to unveil an explosive passing attack that mixes a short passing game with a vertical attack. With both Jackson and Maclin on the field defenses will have a hard time trying to cover them both and could be in trouble. A good pick and a possible solution for the Eagle's WR troubles. - Round 2:
Pick 53 :
LeSean McCoy (RB)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 198
College: Pittsburgh
Conference: Big East
Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
High School: Bishop McDevitt
Bench Press : 22.0 reps
McCoy became an instant sensation upon his arrival at Pittsburgh in 2007. He was a unanimous Freshman All-American and named to the All-Big East Conference first team. He was the Big East Rookie of the Year, and with a ranking of 21st overall led the nation's freshmen with an average of 110.67 yards per game rushing. He set the Big East freshman rushing record with 1,328 yards on 276 carries (4.8 avg.) and 14 touchdowns. He pulled down 33 passes for 244 yards averaging 7.4 ypc, and one touchdown. He placed third in the league with an average of 131.0 all-purpose yards per game. As a first-year player he also broke Dorsett's 1973 record of 78 points and 13 scores to set a new freshman single-season record of 90 points scored and 15 total touchdowns at Pittsburgh. As a sophomore, McCoy garnered All-America second-team and All-Big East first-team honors. He was a semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player) and Doak Walker Award (top running back). He produced 21 touchdowns on 308 rushing attempts for 1,488 yards averaging 4.8 ypc. He caught 32 passes for 305 yards (9.5 avg.) and finished third in the league with an average of 139.15 all-purpose yards per game. He scored 36 times, in just 25 games as a Panther, including 35 rushing. He ranked second in the nation in scoring as a freshman (9.69 ppg) and eighth as a sophomore (7.50 ppg). He achieved his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2008, joining Tony Dorsett (1973-76) and Curvin Richards (1988-89) as the only players in Pittsburgh history to record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. His 35 touchdown runs also broke the freshman/sophomore combined record of 24 by Dorsett during the 1973-74 campaigns. Along the way, McCoy's 36 total touchdowns also helped him break the school, Big East Conference and NCAA record of 34 scores held by receiver Larry Fitzgerald (2002-03) for most touchdowns produced by a player as a freshman and sophomore.
Conclusion: McCoy has been favorably compared to Pittsburgh's Hall of Fame tailback, Tony Dorsett, who recently stated, "This is the first player who has come along who truly reminds me of me." As far as I'm concerned, Enough Said. Another good pick giving the Eagles a great one two punch with Westbrook and McCoy. - Round 5:
Pick 153 :
Cornelius Ingram (TE)
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 245
College: Florida
Conference: SEC
Hometown: Hawthorne, FL
High School: Hawthorne
40 Yard Dash : 4.68 seconds
Bench Press : 21.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 33.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.12 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.53 seconds
Ingram was ranked as the best quarterback and overall player on the GatorCountry.com Top 101 list. The two-time Class 1A All-State selection in both football and basketball, he threw for more than 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2003. For the hoops squad, he averaged more than 25 points per game as a shooting guard during his junior season. In 2004, Ingram enrolled at Florida. He arrived at Florida as a heralded prep quarterback and even joined the school's renowned basketball program in 2004. The 206-pound passer impressed the staff by running a 4.5 40-yard dash during fall camp, but he would spend the year with the scout team. He later joined the 2004-05 Gators basketball squad, playing in 19 games as a shooting guard before returning to football for spring drills. He was Considered to be the best athlete in the football program, but it was a long road for him, because he was constantly switching positions during his first few years as a Gator, before finding a home at tight end. He became a full-time wide receiver in 2006, and was used as a slot receiver/H-back hybrid, allowing the 6-foot-4, 230-pound red shirt sophomore to create mismatches in the secondary. He started twice while appearing in 14 games, finishing fifth on the team with 30 receptions for 380 yards (12.7 avg) and a touchdown. Ingram shifted to tight end in 2007, and saw action in 13 games, including five starting assignments. He caught 34 passes, good for fourth on the team, as he totaled 508 yards (14.9 avg) with seven touchdowns. Ingram had a sensational spring camp and was primed to have a breakout season in 2008 for the Gators; however, early in August camp, he suffered an injury (torn left ACL) and had to miss the season. Based on his performance at the NFL Combine, however, it is safe to assume that he is well on the road to full recovery.
Conclusion: Did I say the Eagles needed a big receiver? This pick may prove to be the best pick of this draft. The Eagles nab one of the best athletes at the TE position. He is capable of stretching the field with his speed, and he could be an impact playmaker in the offense. Not only is he big, strong, fast, with good hands, but he is versatile, and able to be used in many unconventional ways. I expect to see a lot of this kid as soon as he is fully recovered from his ACL injury. - Pick 157 :
Victor Harris (CB)
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 187
College: Virginia Tech
Conference: ACC
Hometown: Highland Springs, VA
High School: Highland Springs
40 Yard Dash : 4.68 seconds
Vertical Jump : 33.5 inches
Broad Jump : 118.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 6.68 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 3.98 seconds
Harris lettered as a true freshman at Virginia Tech in 2005, seeing most of his action on special teams. He blocked a kick, deflected two passes, and produced 12 tackles (7 solos) for the coverage units. He beat out incumbent Roland Minor for the field cornerback position in 2006. He picked off four passes, returning one for the first of his four touchdowns on interceptions for his career. He also collected 34 tackles (22 solos), despite playing the latter part of the schedule with a shoulder dislocation from the Kent State game. Harris earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2007, starting all 14 games at field cornerback. He also started to become acclimated with return chores. He posted 36 tackles and deflected 11 passes. He tied the school record as a kickoff returner with a 100-yard runback for a score vs. Clemson. He averaged 34.7 yards on six kickoffs and 7.4 yards on five punt returns. He also scored once on five interceptions and batted down eleven passes. Harris missed the 2008 season opener due to a left foot sprain, but he returned to start the final 13 contests, shifting to boundary cornerback. He registered 46 tackles (32 solos), caused two fumbles and recovered another. He also broke up eight passes and intercepted six others, tying the school single-season record by returning two of those interceptions for touchdowns. He averaged 15.0 yards on four kickoff returns and 9.3 yards on 25 punt returns. He also caught eight passes for 63 yards (7.9 avg) and rushed five times for a 9.6-yard average. Even though he did not start there, he was utilized quite a bit as a slot receiver, split wide or as a tailback out of the backfield. Still, he is a shutdown cornerback, first and foremost. To that end, he gave Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith a run for his money in their quest to re-write the Atlantic Coast Conference record books. Both players tied the ACC career record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns. Harris gained 278 yards on his 15 interceptions (third most in school history), which ranks third in league history. Smith managed to generate 254 yards, finishing seventh on the ACC chart.
Conclusion: It just keeps getting better and better. If anyone can hope to replace B'Dawk it just might be this kid. Just for a start, he is a solid zone corner prospect with the skills and toughness to compete for playing time as a rookie, but more importantly He may be ideally suited to play free safety as a pro. It was commonplace during the 2008 season to see Harris line up at boundary cornerback, field cornerback or even free safety. If that was not enough, when it came time for the opposition to either punt the ball away or kick off, Harris handled those attempts as well. And with the team's receiving corps depleted by 2007 graduation, the coaches experimented with their versatile player on the offensive side of the ball during preseason camps. The theme of this year's draft for the Eagles' seems to be Versatility. Great pick! - Pick 159
Fenuki Tupou (OT) (pronounced fen-UU-kee TUU-puu)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 314
College: Oregon
Conference: Pac 10
Hometown: Elverta, CA
High School: Center
40 Yard Dash : 5.4 seconds
Bench Press : 24.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 25.5 inches
Broad Jump : 94.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 8.33 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 5.02 seconds
In 2007, Tupou took over left offensive tackle duties for the Ducks. He earned second-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors and was the recipient of the Jimmy Rogers Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Award in the Sun Bowl, as he manhandled All-American pass rusher George Selvie, holding the South Florida standout to one assisted tackle while knocking him down 10 times and recording two touchdown-resulting blocks. As a junior, Tupou started 12 of the Ducks' 13 games, seeing limited action vs. California due to a mild concussion. He finished his first season at Oregon with 85 knockdowns and 12 touchdown-resulting blocks. He allowed just two quarterback sacks on 413 pass plays, helping the Ducks average 467.54 yards in total offense and 41.92 points per game, leading the Pac-10 in both categories. In 2008, Tupou almost saw his season come to an end before it began. He was suspended for the season opener after accepting a meal and $100 from a sports agent. The left tackle returned to his familiar position in the second game, starting 10 contests. He sat out the UCLA contest due to a right knee sprain that he suffered in the first quarter against USC. Tupou posted 74 knockdowns and 13 touchdown-resulting blocks as Oregon again led the conference with an average of 484.85 yards in total offense per game. For his performance, he was named an All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.
Conclusion: Tupou is another tackle prospect with intriguing size and potential, he is not a technically sound blocker on the edge. He's worth taking a shot on at this point in the draft. He could become a quality backup in time. OK Pick, but at this stage you take what you can get. - Round 6:
Pick 194:
Brandon Gibson (WR)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 206
College: Washington State
Conference: Pac 10
Hometown: Puyallup, WA
High School: Rogers
Gibson enrolled at Washington State in 2005, appearing in 10 games with five starting assignments as a true freshman. The flanker saw most of his action on special teams, where he returned 10 kickoffs for 186 yards, but also caught nine passes for 172 yards (19.1 avg.) and a pair of scores. As a sophomore, Gibson took over flanker duties for the final nine games. He teamed with Jason Hill to give the Cougars one of the biggest receiving tandems in the West. He pulled down 49 passes for 731 yards (14.9 avg.) and four touchdowns, second on the team. He also saw brief action on the coverage unit, making a solo tackle while recovering a fumble and returning two kicks for 42 yards. In 2007, Gibson had a banner campaign, earning All-Pac-10 Conference first-team and All-America third-team recognition. He started 11 games at flanker, sitting out the Oregon clash with a heel bruise. He was hampered early in the season by an August camp knee sprain, but still managed to haul in a career-high 67 passes for 1,180 yards (17.6 avg.), finding the end zone nine times. His 67 grabs placed third on the school season-record list and his 1,180 yards was the most ever by a Cougar, ranking 20th on the conference annual record chart. With the new spread option offense in place, Gibson struggled at the "Z" (flanker) spot, where he started the first three games before shifting to the slot in 2008. He still led the team with 57 receptions, but only got to the end zone twice while recording 673 yards (11.8 avg.), adding 19 yards on 10 carries to earn All-Pac-10 honorable mention. It was a bittersweet senior season for Gibson, who concluded his college career as the school's all-time leader with 2,756 receiving yards and finished second in WSU annals with 182 receptions. He seriously considered leaving school after the 2007 season, but was convinced by the new coaching staff that he would greatly benefit returning to the university in 2008. Even though he led the team with 57 catches, the Cougars suffered through one of the worst seasons in the program, finishing 2-11 for the campaign.
Conclusion: The nephew of former NFL cornerback Vaughn Williams (49ers/Colts), Gibson struggled to grasp the new offensive system earlier in the 2008 season, and also struggled to grasp the football, as he was plagued by a slew of dropped balls in the early portion of the year. He saw his yardage total decrease from 1,180 yards in 2007 to 673 and his touchdown opportunities reduced from nine scores as a junior to two as a senior. Don't we already have enough receivers who can't catch? Let's hope that his decline doesn't continue. He's got decent size and will compete to be a backup in Philadelphia. oh well like I said this far down the draft there isn't much left. - Round 7:
Pick 213:
Paul Fanaika (OG)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 327
College: Arizona State
Conference: Pac 10
Hometown: Milbrae, CA
High School: Mills
Bench Press : 15.0 reps
Fanaika has used his unique combination of size, surprising foot quickness and determination to develop into one of the better, more underrated interior linemen in the country. Despite starting three years at right guard for the Sun Devils, Fanaika's struggles with leverage could pose problems against shorter, powerful defensive tackles. There are some who believe Fanaika's future lies at right tackle, where his size and arm length could be beneficial, but with questionable lateral quickness and no experience outside, it is a projection likely only worthy of a late-round pick.
Conclusion: Fanaika had some issues with balance. He has NFL size, but he was on the ground too much in college. He can sustain his block once he locks onto defenders. I'd like to see him get more flexibility and lateral quickness. With some work this kid could become a late round success story. Good late round Pick. - Pick 230
Moise Fokou (OLB)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 233
College: Maryland
Conference: ACC
Hometown: Rockville, MD
High School: The Bullis School
40 Yard Dash : 4.76 seconds
Bench Press : 12.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 31.0 inches
Broad Jump : 121.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.09 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.28 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle : 11.41 seconds
He played sparingly behind Erin Henderson at weak-side linebacker in 2006, but switched to the strong side in 2007 and started the next two years there, registering 84 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in 2007 and emerging as the only ACC defender to record more than 75 tackles (77) and five sacks on the year. Despite his experience there, lacks the bulk scouts prefer, but his athleticism and secure tackling make him a potential immediate special teamer and an intriguing developmental prospect for the weak side.
Conclusion: Fokou is a linebacker with some speed. He has long arms and big hands, which is very advantageous in the pro game. He can become a depth linebacker in a young Eagles line backing crew. Jimmy Johnson loves to have a lot of linebackers so he can switch them in and out and keep them fresh. Good late round pick.
Overall a good draft by Andy Reid and the Eagles staff. I think they might have finally addressed some of the problems with the offense. I'm not the only one either as Donovan seems to be very excited in his latest blog post . He says, "I'm excited about meeting my new teammates, getting to know them and working together on the field. We now have a lot of new, young skill position players and it will be exciting and interesting to see how they become acclimated to what we do here." If these new players play up to their potential this could well be the season we win the Superbowl. The only sad thing is that B'Dawk is in Denver.
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