Heckert: Eags Can Go As High As They Want In the First Round
With 12 draft picks, Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said the Birds "feel we can do whatever we want."
Heckert: Eags Can Go As High As They Want In the First Round
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
DANA POINT, Calif. -- Twelve total draft picks. Two in the first round at 21 and 28. How high could the Eagles trade up in the first round to get somebody next month? Pretty much as high as they want to go, general manager Tom Heckert said today.
``With those 12 picks, we feel we can do whatever we want,’’ he said. ``We can get up as high (in the first round) as we want, or sit there (at 21 and 28) and wait for who’s there. But we have enough ammunition to just about anything we want.’’
Heckert said the price to move up into the top seven or eight has decreased considerably because of the reluctance of teams up that high to gamble millions in guaranteed money on untested players.
``It costs less to move up (than it used to),’’ Heckert said. ``Teams are a lot more willing to get out. The teams way up top, because of the compensation moneywise, they want to get out of there.’’
More Heckert:
* On whether the Eagles’ need for an offensive tackle early in the draft is being overstated: ``If we didn’t get Stacy (Andrews), then I think it would be a bigger problem for us. But both Todd (Herremans) and Shawn (Andrews) can play out there. It’s something we’re always looking at, but we think we can line up and play right now with one of those guys at left tackle.’’
* On the possibility of waiting until the second round to take a running back: ``You’d have to hold your breath if you wanted to wait for one (in the second round). You might have to move up.’’
* On the fact that the Eagles never have taken a running back higher than the third round since Andy Reid became coach: ``Obviously, it’s an important position. But it’s been proven over time that you can find backs later on in the draft. We obviously haven’t been great at it. We got Brian (Westbrook in the third round in 2002). But if you look around the league, there are good players that have been taken in the third-fourth-fifth round.’’
Look for more in Tuesday's Daily News ...
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For Ron Jaworski's take on the Eagles' need for a running back, click here.
Birds are "Loaded for Bear". Maybe they bag a couple come draft day.— Chuckle Berry- sounds like they're listening to offers to trade out. hope not.— 82tank
- Well - which is it - do you have to hold your breath if you wait for a back in the second round, or has it been proven over time that you can find good backs later on in the draft?— Bobphxville
- But there is no limit to how far the Eagle could move down in the draft either. I think the Eagles will move down to the third round this year.— Bobby257
- If the eagles trade up, it will no doubt be for an OT. I hope they stay put and draft a top flight RB and TE in the first round. If there is a talented project OT who slips in he 2nd then thats our guy. This team needs to get an infusion of young skill players who can make a difference. Last year we missed out on Jones, and the year before we missed our TE and instead traded for Kolb. I think Herremans deserves a shot to play LT cause god knows he is not a guard. About time we see what all those Andy Reid early OL picks can finally do at LG this year. We will see if Nickles Banner and Control Freak Andy do whats smart.— tmax13
- Get Pettigrew.— p-diddy
- SHONNE GREENE. Why isn't anyone talking about this kid?!— Wolfgang
- why do we as fans waste out time reading/believing this bs? Everybody knows the eagles will take some fat overrated offensive lineman with their top picks. They will not fill any of their needs.— amann08
- shonne greene, because he has work ethic, weight and off field problems...but on the field, he is intense, maybe a second day pick rd 3-5...i wouldn't mind if they got Moreno in the 1st and greene in the 3-5 range
- that read as "we're going to take a tackle, it doesn't matter what we need to give up to get our guy." Let's hope he's not another jon harris.— joeb
- Why should we listen to Heckert? Andy Reid makes the decisions anyway & Heckert is just his puppet.— Irish Frank
- They can do whatever they want? And they'd have to move up in the 2nd rd for a back? Sounds like they've targeted Moreno in round 1
- They should trade #28 to Arizona for Boldin, use #21 on Beanie (or Brown or Moreno maybe) and now look at your offence. Pick up a blocking TE and a CB for depth with later picks. Beanie/Westbrook backfield led by Weaver and DeSean/Anquon/Kevin to throw the ball to with Celek and a blocking TE thrown in the mix. In don't think they're as weak in the O-Line as some fret. Ride the Bro-Andrews (and two 1st round playmakers) to the Super Bowl.— Canuck_Eagles_Fan
- Heckert....the lackey for a front office notorius for considering dollars and cents as much as any other in the league says the Eagles chances of trading up in the first rd are good because otherteams don't want to pay up to be there.....and they do huh.....pure posturing and pr gimic......ILUVPHILLYCITYOFCHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
- to Canuck_Eagle_Fan I want you for the new GM. That sounds like the best plan I've heard. Have you guys looked at our depth chart on the offensive line?? We have so many young, huge players it's ridiculous and to ditch the work they've done learning the system just to get new people like we always do is DUMB!— clevland
