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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Fletcher Cox is rising up the draft boards. I don't see him being around by #15.— dpcoz- I ranted about Fletcher cox for the past month...This kid would play for free (well, not really) as he LOVES football...BMOC, and a reall leader...Kirkpatrick was a stud at Bama from Day 1 his freshman year as he was the most heralded DB coming out of HS...Not a ball hawk, but physical (despite the skinny build) and able to play press corner...If he didn't get caught with the weed two months ago, he'd be a top 8 pick...Good player at a super important position. He's contribute right away, although we don't know how they feel about Marsh...I guess we will real soon.— bearsfriend
- bearsfriend, with my limited college IQ and reading Mayock a bit I came down to those same two players. Both make sense especially if Kirkpatrick is actually able to play CB and S. Would love to see them trade up with lower picks to get 5 QUALITY players rather than down to get a dozen ho-hum types.— tpizza
- What is with the 6-0 LBs ? Who are too small to tackle or cover ? Jeff Lurie should make a rule. No LBs shorter than 6-3 and lighter than 250. 6-5 320lb guards can't wait to play us.— oldBird
- London Fletcher has proven that you don't have to be tall as a telephone pole and weigh half a ton to be effective at LB. We have a good one at WILL that is proving the same thing. Just have to be disciplined, have good football instincts, able to get to the ball and most importantly have a pair to get to the ball carrier and TACKLE. Ryans should shore up the middle the SAM and WILL spots will be beasts this season. I believe we have a decent core of guys. I'm not saying not to improve but give those guys a little credit. Not easy learning a new position and not having a lot of time to learn it. I believe most of them were rookies or first/second year players. Foku sucks though.
- In my opinion, which means nothing, I think they should trade DJax and the first round to move up and take Keuchly to solidify the LB's. Then take Hill in the second round. Hill seems like a speedy, solid receiver. I don't know much about him but from what I've seen and heard he seems solid... any thoughts?— lagnwag99
- Why would you trade DJax to move up a few spots to lock in Keuchly?
We have an extra 2nd and more later picks along with
Bye Bye Asanta as trading chips to move up a few spots if need be.
I agree with Hill and Keuchly and the more I see what is out there. they should just stand pat and take best available. Not trading up or down. and NO QB please.— dmanphilly 
I think Michael Brockers and Jerel Worthy are the best scheme fits at DT for a 4-3 defense (and the wide 9 particularly) in the draft. Brockers is the most capable of tying up two interior linemen on every play and giving linebackers room to operate, and Worthy gets off the ball to create penetration in a flash.— conceptual_bro- they probably look at the guys from smaller schools for their 30 work outs. for those at big schools, it is probably easier and more efficient to be out at their pro days because they may be able to take a look at multiple prospects at the same time.— HDemetriou
Comment removed.- Hill and Wagner both make sense as Eagles, especially if they're there past the middle of the second round. Cox would fall under "best player available," which is what the Eagles should do in Round 1 this year.— armchairGM
- Preventing a QB from passing the ball and preventing a WR from catching it are the the most important things in the NFL right now. DT or CB must be the pick at 15. WR's, RB's and LB's can be had in the later rounds and it looks like the Birds are scouting mid-round talent accordingly.— SilliBilli
- The one position not talked much about, but we desperately need is someone to return punts and kick offs. If we can find someone who is good at both would really be nice. If we can get good starting yardage for the offense, the Eagles will be that more dangerous. Special teams are part of the game as well. It'll allow Jackson to concentrate on the wide receiver spot and not risk injury returning punts. The kickoff returns weren't very good. I didn't look at the stats for average starting yardage after the kick off but if memory serves correctly, we weren't that good at it.
- With the kickoff rule change, kick returner is not as important as it used to be. Of 2,400 or so kickoffs, only 9 were run back for touchdowns. There were touchbacks on 43.5% of all kicjoffs. As for punts, DeSean wasn't great last year, but he is still a threat to break a big return. Maybe this year he will be happier and run faster. And in more than forty years of watching football, I believe I've seen a bunch more injuries among wide receivers than punt returners (though my memory isn't perfect). — Section 730
- You're probably right, however, when there is an opportunity to return a kick off we weren't very good at it. I don't even think we got back to the 20 on most kicks that were returned. There aren't many that do both, return punts and play wide receiver. You don't see many teams use one of their best receivers returning punts.
- 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
- This guy who weights "A Buck Sixty" 160Lbs, 4.31? Is that a misprint! Sounds interesting.
Defensive Tackle and Defensive Ends overwhelmingly are the best positions in this draft. The Eagles save Jenkins have weak Defensive Tackles. It's the middle of the defense that holds the problem for the Eagles.
Why draft any other position with pick 15?— Dexter - Always interesting to read the buzz and then see what happens.
- one name dre kirkpatrick. we have a weak secondary assent is all but gone drc couldn't cover toast if he was butter and thats when he's healthy we have nnamdi, nate alen, and who else? DRE KIRKPATRICK> lets not make the same mistake we did 2 years ago passing on earl thomas, who by the way is a pro bowler. And can play both corner and safety. Just like kirkpatrick who is also 6'2 and physical— phillyboyda1
- hey bro props for that earl thomas tid bid. I wanted that guy bad. but we got allen... yyyup that was a big f up. don't know if he's like kirkpatrick but similar. i though thomas was smaller. — jonathan_c3
- tneagles fan you are right i see someone is paying attention instead of worrying about positions where we have competent players we need to address the return game kickoff and punt ..need a good sub for jackson he runs all the deep routes def needs a breather at times...just need a impact player in the draft maybe not a starter but at least a solid rotation player— positive eagle
- This is how I would draft for the Eagles. 1st i would evaluate the position we need most help at and that is secondary considering we picked up Demeco Ryans to klog up the middle. Safety is most important and evaluating that position is extremly hard considering the camera can only pick up certain parts of that position during the game, but if we are evaluating each player and each position then i would have to say I look at the Coach and conference like Alabama Nick Saban is a defensive college freak he gets the best players on D and they play hard noise football. Dre Kirkpatrick, Barron, Hightower are those type of players that we need, if we are considering Kirkpatrick then great cause he is physical and nasty at his position.— bernie27
- Don't want Poe, he looks like a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. If Cox is not available, take Barron, and try to get the d-tackle in the second round (Still?) Agree with other posters that the middle of the Eagles defense is the weak spot on the team, and any of these picks would help to resolve that.— blaqjaq
- what do you guys think of Melvin Ingram. I think he could play outside WILL position and d end. Kid is a terrific athlete. He just makes plays. He is suppose to go earlier then 15. could drop a little but we might be able to trade up and get em.— jonathan_c3
- I think the Eagles are wishing for Cox, but expecting Brockers or Poe at 15. The team needs to score with those two 2nd round picks. This is so simple go for players who were productive in college, who went up against top competition and have the measurables. Cal Linebacker Mychal Kendricks epitomizes this. He should be a target. His size/speed combo is ridiculous. I'd go for UCF cornerback Josh Robinson with the other pck for the same reason. He'd be a great nickel corner and help the defense get off the field on third downs.— MrMiles1
- As a former collegiate DT, IMO it's not about making plays behind the LOS. A good DT needs to get off the ball quickly, needs to engage blockers with his hands, and needs to have good enough hands to help play off the block. That said, it all has to be done at pad level. Guys who play in the backfield tend to watch the ball, instead of reading the block. With that, I'll take Devon Still over all, although I wouldn't be upset over having Brockers and Cox. Note, I despise PSU.— beegal99
- I guess you didn't possess any of those qualities since you're not a former "NFL" player.. ahhh, just butin ur balz.... But really, good insight by you, and I agree, I too love Devin Still out of PSU. I was wondering why I haven't heard much about him in draft talk. Seems to be a PLAYER to me. Just hope that Andy doesnt just look for a "HIGH MOTOR" guy. — hawaiiphillyfan
- From what I've read, rumors are that the Eagles like Still, have already worked him out in private. A guy like him, who gets off the ball quickly, automatically makes the LBs better, because he's disrupting the interior line play by the offense. He may get washed down the LOS, but he'll never get pushed back into the lanes of the LBs. Watch the tape of Cox and Brockers, and they both allow that to happen. He plays alot like Jenkins, which is a good thing. — beegal99
- Draft offense . Eagles can draft defense so don't e en try.— Fritz and Alice
- http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/dave-spadaro/article-1/What-Do-Eagles-REALLY-Need/1cf6e3d5-86be-4189-acb5-e6880de8dc4c#commentSystem
check out these floyd highlights. He reminds me of Margues Colston. Big target down the field. Playmaker!— Yes_General - Better link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx8qek1bQxY&feature=player_embedded - As usual the eagles are looking for another WR project meanwhile the 49ers,Giants,Packers are locked and loaded at WR ready to push for another ring. The eagles are looking for another olympic skier in the 3rd round. If we dont trade up for Blackmon or grab Floyd at 15 this will be another typical off season. Elite defense and more of the same on offense.— Yes_General
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