Do Eagles need to draft a DT?
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Do Eagles need to draft a DT?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Since 1999, three of the Eagles' 10 first-round picks have been used on defensive tackles.
As I outlined earlier this week, that's more than any other position during the Andy Reid era.
With the draft just 15 days away, what are the chances that the Birds will go that route once again?
Let's start by taking a look at who's currently on their roster.
Here's a chart with the percentage of snaps played by the Eagles' defensive tackles in 2010:
| Player | Percentage of snaps |
| Mike Patterson | 55.8% |
| Trevor Laws | 45.72% |
| Antonio Dixon | 40.4% |
| Brodrick Bunkley | 29.8% |
A few notes. These are unofficial numbers that I kept during the season. Rookie defensive tackle Jeff Owens was injured as soon as he got on the field so he's not included here. And these do not include the Week 17 game against Dallas when many of the starters sat.
As you can see, the Eagles have invested quite a bit in this position since 2005. Patterson and Bunkley were each first-round picks (31st and 14th in '05 and '06, respectively). And the Eagles selected Laws in the second round (47th overall) in 2008.
Dixon was undrafted and joined the Birds prior to the '09 season. Sometimes, we make too big of a deal when a player seemingly comes out of nowhere and plays well. That really wasn't the case with Dixon though.
As you can see, his playing time was still somewhat limited, but when he was on the field, Dixon was a beast. According to Pro Football Focus, Dixon graded out as the eighth-best interior linemen against the run last season. I've argued before that he might have been their third-best defensive player behind Asante Samuel and Trent Cole. And that's no exaggeration.
When judging Patterson and Bunkley, it's more important to look at their performance against the run since they were often replaced by Laws and Darryl Tapp in passing situations.
Overall, the Eagles limited opponents to 4.2 yards per carry, which ranked tied for 13th in the NFL last season. By comparison, that number was 4.1 in '09, 3.5 in '08, 3.8 in 2007, 4.5 in 2006 and 3.7 in 2005.
After a Week 4 loss to the Redskins, the Birds inserted Moise Fokou and Juqua Parker into the starting lineup. In the 12 remaining games (including the playoff loss to the Packers, but not the Week 17 loss to the Cowboys), the Eagles allowed 4.03 yards per carry.
However, it's important to keep in mind that the Eagles' shaky linebacker play was probably a bigger factor than the defensive tackles. Patterson graded out as the 10th-best interior lineman against the run; Bunkley was 46th; and Laws was 33rd, according to PFF.
When looking at contract situations, Bunkley is signed only through 2011. Patterson is signed through 2016. Dixon's future could be affected by a new CBA, but he's under contract for next season, and the Eagles figure to control his rights beyond that.
Dixon turns 26 in June; Bunkley turns 28 in November; and Patterson turns 28 in September.
Laws (turns 26 in June; signed through 2011) has been used primarily as a pass-rusher so unless something changes, it doesn't appear that he'll be in the mix as an every-down player, although that could change.
Looking ahead, Owens could get a shot, but last year's seventh-round pick will be coming back from a torn patella tendon.
The guess right now would be that Patterson and Dixon have the inside track to start at defensive tackle, although we have to see how new line coach Jim Washburn wants to use his personnel.
Considering that Bunkley and Laws are only signed for one more year, the Birds could certainly use some depth. In terms of need, I'd put cornerback, right guard and linebacker ahead of defensive tackle.
Having said that, if the Eagles see a true difference-maker available, particularly someone that fits Washburn's scheme, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go DT in the first few rounds.
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Please not before the 4th or 5th round Andy.— tripleplay83- Not to worry, the accounting firm of Banner, Roseman and Reid are on the case. Word on the street is they intend to break the record for most players taken in the 6th round by one franchise this year.— hunglikeaton
Comment removed.- It is about time they do....they currently have NO push up the middle and cannot stop the big backs.....they also need a stud linebacker for the same reason....and a linebacker that can cover tight ends....Remeber no cornerback can cover forever and without a solid rush a CB will always get beat...— nuggett
- I absolutely agree with "nuggett"!— jking76
- Comment removed.
- they do, but i don't trust them to pick a good one based on their track record.— main liner
- The premise of the article is flawed - you draft based on NEED, you settle for guys. Draft the best frigging guy available on the board or trade down for value. Don't pass on a potential All-Pro guy so you can select the best guard available.
— Gioff23 - Of course they should, but they also need another CB, a dependable O-lineman or two and at least one reliable LB. Gee, that's a lot of holes to fill on a team that is the gold standard of football.— jpk
- pick up a FA DT and if you draft one make sure its in the later rounds— Gregory1
- maybe they can draft a left tackle and convert him into a d tackle...kinda like making an o coordinator a d coordinator— Gregory1
- Congrats - you've made your website unusable!— Warhound
- Absolutely not before the middle rounds, more snaps for Dixon and a healthier Bunkley. They need DB's, LB's, and OL before more DT's. If anything, cut Laws.
- In Andy and Joe I trust. If they say we don't need them, I will never argue. After all, while everyone had Daniel Te'o-Nesheim projected as a 7th rounder or free agent and Andy and Joe drafted him in the 3rd round, and hardly played him last year, they must know something we don't. Maybe keeping another team like the Giants from possibly developing him is worth it. Again, Andy and Joe know best.— eldiablodelsol2009
- Do the Eagles exist?— shawnmac
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