Eagles draft buzz
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Eagles draft buzz
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Before we update some of the most recent draft visits and workouts, a couple notes on potential first-round options for the Birds.
I got a chance to take a closer look at Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who many are mocking to the Eagles with the 15th pick. And I really liked what I saw.
In the games I watched, Cox (6-4, 298) consistently made plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He finished 2011 with 14.5 tackles for loss, third-most among SEC defensive linemen. I'm guessing Jim Washburn is drooling over Cox's athleticism and versatility. He lined up at both tackle and end at Mississippi State. I even saw Cox drop back into coverage once (not that he'd be asked to do that under Washburn, but it still shows his athleticism).
I know the mock drafts generally swing and miss at the Eagles' pick, but if Cox is there at 15, I have to think there's a strong possibility the Eagles snag him.
If you're wondering about the other defensive tackles, I'm going to try and take a look at them in the next couple days and will offer up my impressions in future blog posts.
Another guy I watched recently was Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick. Cornerback is an extremely difficult position to evaluate off of TV because camera angles often only show the player when he's thrown at or makes a tackle. But Kirkpatrick (6-2, 186) is definitely a physical player who runs to contact, instead of away from it (which we saw a lot of with the Eagles last season).
But the Birds would likely have to get creative in how they used Kirkpatrick in his rookie season. From the games I watched and the scouting reports I've read, there's no indication that he'd be effective as a slot cornerback. He could probably be used to against tight ends, or at right cornerback if Nnamdi Asomugha covered tight ends. Some project Kirkpatrick as a safety, so he does have versatility.
As I've mentioned multiple times, Asante Samuel will likely be traded, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie enters the final year of his contract. Asomugha will be 31 when next season starts. The Eagles spent a third-round pick on Curtis Marsh last year, but Kirkpatrick could provide depth and versatility, while eventually working himself into a starter's role.
DRAFT VISITS AND WORKOUTS
In my post yesterday, I wrote that it wouldn't surprise me if the Eagles drafted a playmaker on offense in the first two rounds.
One of the top wide receiver prospects on the board, Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, told Sirius XM NFL Radio that he's visited with the Birds (thanks to BGN for the link).
Hill (6-4, 215) ran a 4.36 40 at the combine, which was tied for the fastest time among wide receivers. Playing in Georgia Tech's run-heavy offense, he had only 28 catches as a senior, but made the most of them, averaging 29.3 yards per reception. Mike Mayock of NFL Network has Hill ranked as his fourth-best wide receiver prospect.
Because of the system he played in, Hill is a difficult player to evaluate. Combine that with the fact that he's coming out as a junior, and it makes sense that the Eagles and other teams would need to do extra homework on him. But if the Birds go wide receiver early, my guess is they'd want someone to complement their current weapons a little better. Based on the scouting report on Hill, it seems like he'd be primarily a vertical threat, like DeSean Jackson, except that he has excellent size. He is expected to be taken in the first two rounds.
Meanwhile, Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner has visited the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com. The Eagles also sent linebackers coach Mike Caldwell to his Pro Day, per the report.
Wagner (6-0, 241) was named MVP of the North team at the Senior Bowl, but did not participate in the combine because he had pneumonia. He was a four-year starter in college and three-time All-WAC selection. The Eagles added DeMeco Ryans to play the middle, but they've made no upgrades at SAM or WILL. Wagner could be a fit there. He is expected to go in the second or third round.
The Eagles are also scheduled to host Wagner's teammate, running back Robert Turbin, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Turbin (5-10, 222) ran for 1,517 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry as a senior. He also caught 17 balls for 171 yards and accounted for 23 total touchdowns. Per the report, he suffered a torn capsule at the bottom of his big toe in 2007 and a torn ACL in 2010. He's expected to be a mid-round pick.
Digging deeper, the Eagles have held a private workout with small-school wide receiver Cody Pearcy, according to The Montgomery Advertiser. Pearcy (5-11, 160) played his college ball at Division III Huntingdon College. At his Pro Day, Pearcy was clocked at a 4.31 40 and had a vertical leap of 44 inches, per the report. He's looking to catch on somewhere as an undrafted free agent.
The Eagles also held an individual workout with Wisconsin offensive tackle Josh Oglesby, according to the Badgers' Web site. Oglesby (6-7, 338) has battled knee injuries and is expected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
"A few teams in Indy said it was up to their medical staff on whether or not I'm slotted in the draft,'' he said "Hopefully someone can put aside the knee problems and just grade the player. It all depends on who's willing to take a chance."
Oglesby was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season.
I will be updating my master list of Eagles draft visits and workouts later today.
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I think Dallas is going to stick it to the Eagles and take Mark Barron at pick 14. The Eagles get stuck with another reach player in Poe. It makes no sense to me why Dallas picks before the Eagles. The tie breaking system must be messed up. Dallas played the Giants in the last game of the year for the right to go to the playoffs. Dallas was the loser of that game, and then they turn around and pick ahead of the Eagles who were already out of the playoff hunt.— Bobphxville- Eagles beat Dallas twice and ended up with the same record. Eagles have the better standing because of the head to head games. That's why the Birds were #2 in the division last year and Cowboys #3. Birds were 5-1 in the division but we sucked outside of the division and the reason Cowboys and Giants played for the division is because we fell short in the common opponent category.
- Thanks for the response. I understand why what happened happened. My point is that the system iteslf is fundamentally flawed if two teams play each other to make the playoffs, and then when one of those teams loses, they pick ahead of a team which had no chance to be in the playoffs on the final weekend. — Bobphxville
- Okay, another idiotic trade idea! lagnwag99? Were you born in '99? If so, that means you're 12, 13? Do your homework before you throw down another one of those ideas, but don't feel bad, grown men do it all the time, especially here. We just signed Jackson to big money; who is going to take him with that deal, just so we can get an undersized, overrated LB? Nothing surprises me anymore with the Eagles. I would agree with others, stay where you are! Cox would be an excellent pick, but I think he'll be out by #15. In that case, take the best player on the board; Hill would solve the problem of the big WR.— MidStaterUXB
- The best post of the day! First, the dress down of the post trading DJax(agree that post was stupid) but then comes the KICKER! You post that the Eagles should pick at #15 the WR that caught a total of like 12 balls in college and is projected as a 2nd rd to early 3rd. Hahahahahaha. And you even preceded it with, "pick the best player available" hahahahaha. Funny stuff. — UncleStosh
- We're all going to be sorry if they trade Asante away, trust me. DRC is under contract at a very favorable number, for those concerned about the cap. But the main reason they should keep Asante is: DRC flat-out SUCKS! He's a great athlete, but he SUCKS AND he lacks heart and "want to". Whereas, Asante is 4th in in the NFL in INTs since 1999, even though his first year was 2003. This just in: INTs CHANGE GAMES.— 5NOT4
- Well you seemed to left out one other stat, since that same 1999 timeframe, he also leads the NFL in ducked away from and missed tackles. Asante is an open door on his side of the field. — hawaiiphillyfan
- Agree with 5not4. Asante is another case of the eagles front office putting out press that he isn't worth the money so they can keep the cheap, lazy DRC. Asante Samuel was the best CB on the team last year and it wasn't even close. Nnamdi is one of the worst free agent pick-ups in philly sports history considering that he was considered a HOF talent. It reminds me of when the Phillies picked-up Lance Parrish. But seriously, could Nnamdi be a worse tackler than Asante? The answer turned out to be a resounding YES. As for Dre Kikpatrick, I am not sure where the idea that hewa sda potential top 8 pick prior to his weed incident considering that most scouts don't even have a position that they are comfortable projecting him at. That is not a top 8 pick. He will still be around at 20. As for the clown that trades Djax to move up 2 spots to take Kuechly, well, historically, it would only take the Eagles 1st rd pick and a 4th to get it done but if you want to do your best RAJ impersonation and pay quadruple what anyone else offered, then go for it, its only your living room. But on that note, if you are looking for a house, i bought mine for 289k last year but if you want i will sell it you for 580k— UncleStosh
- I'm sure a lot of you remember how in the recent past, numerous teams have maneuvered and taken a safety that supposedly, the Eagles had targeted, and they did so in the picks immediately preceding the Birds pick. Brandon Merriweather for sure comes to mind, and I believe there was another instance of that. Barron should be a beast, but you never know. Who is the last safety from Alabama who turned out to be a great player?— 5NOT4
- andy reid inheireted jeremiah trotter. trotter was a ray rhodes draft pick. every year andy has ignored something. go look at our receivers in 2001.— mwright252
- i dont agree with 5NOT4. asante makes others have to work harder because he is a cherry picker. he will only tackle on a sunday when he is critisized monday thru saturday. HIT WRAP DRIVE is learned in high school jv football.— mwright252
- aside fron the recent workouts, i think ive read this same article 10 times already.— psualum
- Hey MWright252 - Here's the plain truth: Between DRC, Asomugh and Asante, Asante is the best tackler. He is obviously the best cover Corner between the three. So what exactly is your point, son? I see that you conveniently chose to dismiss the fact that Asante is 4th in the NFL in INTs since 1999, even though his first year in the league was 2003. Sure, he could tackle better, but INTs take precedence, period. End of story. If you can't grasp that concept, go sit over there at the kids' table, while us adults have a meaningful discussion.— 5NOT4
- You know who Eagles management reminds me of? The Bush Administration. Sure, Reid and company didn't start two illegal wars that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children, and they don't enact policies that have destroyed the lives of millions of women, children, minorities, gays, union workers, and atheists, and the Eagles don't steal your money to give it to Big Oil, and they don't stir up racial hatred against the black president for no reason other than he is black, but the comparison is apt. They are both incompetent stooges.— eldiablodelsol2009
- Good luck with your treatments, Hugo — mccloudmj
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