Grading the Eagles' draft weekend
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
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:
Hope Andy is still reading! I'm always thinkng so here goes as good as this draft may have been I think they still got to make some moves and tweak things a bit. Maybe some addition by subtraction because there are only so many balls to go around right? How many passes is Booker gonna catch coming out of the backfield this year do you really want to see him catch any balls this year? I say byebye! Bring in a big back who might fit in as a change of pace short yardage back who might get a shot at making a couple big 3rd and 1 type plays this year. Reggie Brown need I say more? In other words good draft but now you got to trim the fat a little bit.— allrightknight- I can't believe we took Fokou with the 230th pick! What the?????— WestCoastDavid
- I don't like letting the Giants get Barden. I can already see him catching the fade for TDs over our midget corners. Would've liked to see them get a tall corner to cover the bigger WRs in the division— USNPatriot
- i cant believe people are actually complaining about this years draft / offseason. to me, its one of the best i can remember.— nowashburn
- Don't forget about the Eagles signing Weaver. Even though he's listed as a fullback, he carried the ball in Seattle and averaged over 4yds/carry. Weaver will be your short yardage RB and will also be used to spell Westbrook, especially on downs where the Eagles want to have an extra pass blocker in the backfield.— Philly Dom
- Boy it'd be great to have gas in Westbrook's tank past the fifth game, sharing the oad with McCoy could do that— robinlupe
- Bunch of cowards. Why won't you post my negative critique of the draft?
- Not impressed at all with the way this offseason has gone. Peters is a turd who quit on his team because he didn't like the contract he signed. TO didn't like his contract and made a complete fool out of himself off the field, but at least he didn't quit on the field. I like the Andrews additions, if for nothing else, keeping Shawn focused. Letting Dawk, the heart and soul of this team and a guy who made the pro bowl walk was stupid. There are no leaders on this team anymore. Good work Andy. Maclin is too small. I didn't see the team having much of a problem moving into the red zone last year, it was punching it in once we got there. Another 6 foot WR is not going to help accomplish that. A blocking beast like Pettigrew would have. A RB listed at the same size as Westbrook is not going to help either. Yes, we have Weaver, but he's only here for a year. What then? How long does it take for these guys to learn the system? Reid typically uses rookie years like a redshirt, so a big back would have been hugely beneficial now to be ready for next year. McCoy won't see much of the field and if you think otherwise, you haven't been watching this team over the past 10 years. And top it off with a TE who hasn't played in a year. Let me tell you, a weakness for the team getting filled with a guy who hasn't played in a year and will most likely be a project is not brilliant.
