Grading the Eagles' draft weekend
The draft is over and the grades are in ... Here is how we grade out the Eagles and the three other teams in the NFC East:
Grading the Eagles' draft weekend
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
The draft is over and the grades are in ... Here is how we grade out the Eagles and the three other teams in the NFC East:
EAGLES
1, 19, Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, WR
2, 53, Le Sean McCoy, Pittsburgh, RB
5, 153, Cornelius Ingram, Florida, TE
5, 157, Victor “Macho” Harris, Virginia Tech, CB
5, 159, Fenuki Tupou, Oregon, OT
6, 194, Brandon Gibson, Washington State, WR
7, 213, Paul Fanaika, Arizona State, G
7, 230, Moise Fokou, Maryland, OLB
Analysis: Swung two separate trades that got them a Pro Bowl left tackle (Jason Peters) and a 4-year starting cornerback (Ellis Hobbs). Got one of the draft’s top two wide receivers (Jeremy Maclin) in the first round and some much-needed help for Brian Westbrook in the second (LeSean McCoy). All in all, a helluva draft. Grade: A+
DALLAS
3, 69, Jason Williams, Western Illinois, OLB
3, 75, Robert Brewster, Ball St., OT
4, 101, Stephen McGee, Texas A&M, QB
4, 110, Victor Butler, Oregon St., DE
4, 120, Brandon Williams, Texas Tech, DE
5, 143, DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati, CB
5, 166, Michael Hamlin, Clemson, FS
5, 172, David Buehler, Southern Cal, K
6, 197, Stephen Hodge, TCU, SS
6, 208, John Phillips, Virginia, TE
7, 227, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati, CB
7, 229, Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma, WR
Analysis: Cowboys traded away their first-round pick in the Roy Williams deal, then traded out of the second round. Added yet another pass-rushing linebacker in the third-round (Jason Williams) to go with DeMarcus Ware, aging Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer. Grade: C+
GIANTS
1, 29, Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, WR
2, 45, Clint Sintim, Virginia, LB
2, 60, Will Beatty, Connecticut, OT.
3, 85, Ramses Barden, Cal Poly, WR
3, 100, 100, Travis Beckum, Wisconsin, TE
4, 129, Andre Brown, North Carolina State, RB
5, 151, Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State, QB
6, 200, DeAndre White, New Mexico, DE
7, 238, Stoney Woodson, South Carolina, DB
Analysis: Hakeem Nicks is a Boldin-like wideout with huge hands and good-but-not-great speed, who potentially will help offset the departure of Plaxico Burress. Linebacker Clint Sintim and offensive tackle Will Beatty are nice second-round pickups, even if they don’t address great needs. Grade: B+
WASHINGTON
1, 13, Brian Orakpo, Texas, DE
3, 80, Kevin Barnes, Maryland, DB
5, 158, Cody Glenn, Nebraska, LB
6, 186, Robert Henson, TCU, LB
7, 221, Eddie Williams, Idaho, TE
7, 243, Marko Mitchell, Nevada, WR
Analysis: First-round defensive end Brian Orakpo is more suited to be a 3-4 linebacker than a 4-3 end. Their third-round pick would have been better spent on an offensive lineman rather than a zone corner (Maryland's Kevin Barnes). Grade: C-.
Look for Domo's full team-by-team report card in Monday's Daily News.
Earlier posts:
Rated A+ by Prisco on CBS Sportsline. Cowboys D+. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11680126- Rated A+ by Prisco on CBS Sportsline. Cowboys D+.
This is the best Eagles draft I've ever seen. Every need, hole, complaint that I've been reading about from the fans and media was addressed in this offseason. "We need a new o-line." Done. "We need a younger, faster secondary." Done. "McNabb needs some versatile weapons." Done. "Westbrook needs help back there." Done. "We don't have a fullback/big back for short yardage." Done. I've doubted Big Red in recent years. But have to say, he still knows what he's doing. I wouldn't be shocked if they went to a spread 65% of the time and put serious points on the board. This should be an exciting team this year. The Eagles might be the best team in the NFC East now, what with Washington alienating Campbell and having almost no draft picks to replace their busts from last year, New York losing Plaxico Burress, and Dallas dealing with a T.O. hangover (And we Philly fans know it takes 2-3 years to completely rid the franchise of the T.O. infection. San Fran is still recovering.) Been disappointed like every draft, until today.— thealphawolf- I am amazed at the blind hate or ignorance (you decide which) concerning the off season performance by the Eagles front office. Maclin may be able to help this season and then for the next 5+ years.He is a possible game breaker. The Eagles have covered almost every need in an excellent way. Given all the good moves, I'd easily concede that the LB and offensive lineman they drafted at the end were probably the best athletes available. As fans we can't know that. At that point in the draft that makes the most sense. Give them their due.— Duracorr
- Still bummed over the Flyers but the Eagles moves really made my day. Go Eagles!— SayHello2MyLittleFriend
This draft went as well as anybody could reasonably expect. McNabb has no excuses now and I hope he performs well. That offensive line could be amazing this year if they can gel quickly. That would mean plenty of time to hit Jackson for long gains once he breaks free from the initial coverage. They need to make sure they give McCoy plenty of touches so that Westbrook can stay fresh and hopefully injury free all year. The Birds could put up a LOT of points this year and that should be reason enough to get everybody excited. Lets just hope the defense can live without our heart and soul, Dawkins. They better bring Dawkins back as a coach, advisor, ....anything! as soon as he retires. He deserves to be treated like semi-royalty in this town. Yes it is a business, but they need to do all they can to show that they do value the hard work put in by our absolute best players.- I thought they actually did pretty good considering. I would have liked Boldin but who knows how good he would have been without LF on the other side. They addressed our needs without blowing the bank. This MAY have been the best draft in the Reid era. Only time will truly tell. GO EAGLES!!— Ceee
- You forgot to add that they also have an extra 3rd rounder for next year.... Not bad, although I would have liked to see a safety...— Conshy04
- You forgot to add that they also have an extra 3rd rounder for next year.... Not bad, although I would have liked to see a safety...— Conshy04
- Jennings isn't the type of runningback the Eagles like. They prefer backs who can be motioned out and make plays in the passing game. That's why Tony Hunt wasn't used much because he couldn't catch consistently, and they have no use for guys who are just short yardage runners.— coatesvillain
- F@*& Booker! Booker? We got Weaver who CAN block, and we KILLED it draft/trade.... We have some SERIOUS weaponry now. Tony does need to jump Philly Phanatic. Gotta be happy with what's been done... The organization is getting it done, and I think we have the "stuff" to parade the Lombardi trophy down Broad Street! GO BIRDS!— PG
- Prisco gave them an A+? Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while— pigsofsunday
- A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ A+ ............— flabird1954
- No Superbowl for the Eagles this year or next, guaranteed!— Superbowless Eagles
- you're = you are......not 'your'— headtrip
