Eagles draft outlook: RB, WR and TE
Do the Eagles need to take a wide receiver in this week's draft? What about a running back or tight end? Our Eagles draft outlook series continues with a breakdown of those three positions.
Eagles draft outlook: RB, WR and TE
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
With the draft rapidly approaching, it's time to knock some of these out. Here is a three-in-one edition of our Eagles draft outlook series.
Last week, we covered: offensive tackle, guard/center and quarterback.
And now the rest of the offense:
RUNNING BACK
The situation: Brian Westbrook is gone, and LeSean McCoy is the man. The second-year back had 637 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 40 balls for 308 yards. McCoy had his ups and downs as a blocker, but overall, he seemed willing to work on that aspect of his game, and I don't expect it to be a reason to keep him off the field in 2010.
The Eagles added to their backfield by signing restricted free agent Mike Bell. Bell had 654 yards with the Saints last season, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The good news is wear and tear is not an issue with Bell. He's had just 348 carries in four NFL seasons and turns 27 next week. Bell's skills as a receiver and as a blocker are unknown, but he seems like a good option to take some of the load off McCoy.
Depth: The Birds gave fullback Leonard Weaver big-time money in the offseason, so don't forget that he's an option to carry the ball too. Weaver had a career-high 70 carries in 2009, totaling 323 yards and averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The Eagles also bring back Eldra Buckley, who earned a roster spot in training camp and played primarily on special teams, although he did see some action in short-yardage situations.
The team also added Martell Mallett from the CFL earlier in the offseason, and fullback Dwayne Wright.
Draft outlook: As I've mentioned before, the Eagles had four running backs carry the football last season: Westbrook, McCoy, Weaver and Buckley. On their current roster, the Eagles have three guys who are pretty much guaranteed to be active on game days: McCoy, Bell and Weaver. Not a lot of extra room to work with here. Could they draft a running back? Sure. But if it's someone who they expect to contribute right away, the player would have to beat out Buckley, meaning he'd have likely have to prove some value on special teams (unless, of course, the Eagle feel they could fill that void with a player at a different position).
Or the Birds could take a shot at an RB in the later rounds, practice-squad him and hope he can contribute in 2011. Remember, Bell received a one-year deal and will be a free agent after this season.
The bottom line is, given all their needs, I'd be surprised to see the Eagles go after a running back early.
Scouting reports: Running back prospects.
WIDE RECEIVER
The situation: This position is as stable as it's been in years. They have the two young, speedy playmakers on the outside in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. They re-signed their slot guy Jason Avant in the offseason. And they've got Hank Baskett returning.
Jackson broke out with 62 catches for 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns last season, averaging over 18 yards per carry.
Maclin had an impressive rookie campaign, catching 56 balls for 773 yards and four scores (after missing a good deal of training camp).
And Avant proved to be a steady option, displaying the toughness and smarts that make him a great complement to Jackson and Maclin. He had 41 catches for 587 yards and three TDs.
Depth: As mentioned above, the Eagles brought Baskett back after a short (but memorable) stint with the Indianapolis Colts. As I've mentioned before, we shouldn't focus too much on the Eagles' fourth wide receiver. He won't be on the field a lot unless one of the first three guys gets injured. During the Eagles' final two games of the season, they went with four wide receivers just six times - total. In other words, Brent Celek and LeSean McCoy are productive in the passing game and will stay on the field.
The Birds have three other receivers on the current roster: Dobson Collins, Chad Hall and Jordan Norwood.
Collins spent last season on the Eagles' practice squad. Hall was an offseason acquisition, who spent the last two seasons as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.
And Norwood, a Penn State product, spent most of last season on the practice squad, although he did dress against the Falcons.
Draft outlook: After a stretch of several misses during the Andy Reid era, the Eagles appear to have hit big with their wide receiver selections in the last two years. Is there room for another guy? The Birds are most likely to have six receivers on the roster after they make cuts, although last year, that number was seven. Again, special teams is a factor here. Assuming players stay healthy, they have four of those spots filled, meaning there's room for at least two players to make an impression at Lehigh. That guy could be Collins, Hall or Norwood.
Or it could be a guy they draft. Last year, the Eagles picked up Brandon Gibson in the sixth round. They dealt him to the Rams in the Will Witherspoon trade, and Gibson went on to have a productive 34-catch, 348-yard rookie campaign. Finding a similar-type player would be ideal. Someone who could possibly beat out Baskett and become the fourth guy, or someone who could contribute on special teams and be the No. 5 or No. 6 guy.
On my list of Eagles draft visits and workouts, it's interesting to note that many of the wide receivers the Eagles are looking at are big guys in the Baskett mold.
The bottom line is that the Eagles are likely to draft at least one wide receiver, but again, don't expect them to make a move in the early rounds. It just doesn't make sense given the talent already on the roster with Jackson and Maclin.
Scouting reports: Wide receiver prospects.
TIGHT END
The situation: Remember this time last year? Many were screaming for the Eagles to use their first-round pick on Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The Eagles passed and put their faith in Brent Celek, who had 76 catches for 971 yards, while becoming a fan favorite.
Depth: The Eagles relied on Alex Smith as their second tight end for much of last season, but he's gone. They have two other guys on their roster: Cornelius Ingram and Martin Rucker. Ingram was a fifth-round pick out of Florida last season, who has suffered season-ending ACL injuries in each of the last two summers. If healthy, he seems like he'd be a reasonable option, but that's a giant IF.
Rucker was added early last season, but did not get on the field.
Draft outlook: Smith generally played about 10 snaps a game so there is a void there that needs to be filled. Ingram and Rucker are options. Or the Eagles could draft a TE to come in and compete for the position. If there's a guy available in the later rounds, who the Eagles feel is a good value, they could draft a tight end. But really, everything depends on their assessment of Ingram and Rucker.
Scouting reports: Tight end prospects.
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Yep, you just talked about three positions not needing help.— craig123- I think we are firmly entrenched at both WR and RB with not only "superstar potential" starters, but depth that can come in and get the job done when needed. And we could be set at TE, IF Ingram's knee is healthy and he returns to the level he was playing at last pre-season. WR- One Yard and the Mac are as explosive and as likely to take any catch to the house as any WR tandem in the league and Avant is a "tough as nails, make the big catch when needed" security blanket who is also an emerging leader in the locker room. I could envision AR and gang drafting a WR around the 4th, someone who may be dropping on draft day but has higher round value and can be seen as instant depth, immediate insurance for our top guys and a project for future development. RB- On paper, the group of Shady, The Weave and Ring My Bell could be as good, with just as much versatility, as the 3 headed monster of Duce, Buck & B West. Also, I like Buckley as a capable backup and key special teams contributor as your 4th guy and I am very curious to see what the CFL rookie of the year Martell can bring to the table. TE- This is an interesting position, because if Ingram is healthy, we are not only set, but stocked. If not, we need another field stretching TE to play with Celek or replace him if he gets hurt. Also, it would be nice to have a big, run blocking TE who can also sneak out the backside on obvious running situations and catch short passes.— The Reddgie
- I would like to see them get pick a wide out in the late rounds who also has the ability to run back kicks. There is an opening on the depth chart at wide out with Curtis and Brown gone, and they were poor on kick-off returns, so a new addition there would help the special teams.— watsonmr
I think of the three positions listed, maybe, just maybe, we should draft a RB. I think we all know this draft's priority needs to be defense and OL, with a QB in training in later rounds.— dpcoz- I just don't see the depth at WR like other fans do. If Maclin or Jackson goes down, who fills in? Baskett? Maybe Norwood, but I am not confident of his abilities. I think the Eagles draft a WR in the 4th like Dezmon Briscoe. A big receiver with nice speed and nice soft hands. RB is also a question. I personally think Mike Bell is a bandaid for a year and an expensive option. I think they will end up bringing someone along for a 3rd down option and to switch things up with McCoy. A back like Ben Tate would be nice. TE I think is set. I think Ingram is coming along fine from what I have read. He basically has only had 1 problem with the 1 knee. It wasn't fixed right in Florida originally and they said this originally when they drafted him. It retore and the Eagles had it fixed right and his rehab has been coming along nicely. Overall, I think the Eagles need to concentrate on defense and then we will be fine.— crohnkiller
- These positions won't be addressed before the fifth round.— Rick Wise Guy
- Everyone knows defense is the #1 priority, but the problem with the Eagles this season is it seems like they could use help at every position. I do believe a big reciever is needed on this team, someone other than Baskett case that is. They could probably use a developmental QB and possibly a TE too so where does it end ? As I have posted before, after DB's they really need to look at the defensive line, they need a pass rush with out blitzing. JJ was able to disquise his blitzes and make up for the lack of a pass rush from the D line. With out a pass rush this year it will put pressure on the DB's, some of which will be rookies.— Fat-Andy
I know I'll probably catch heat for this statement, but I'm not blown away by Shady McCoy. He's not a power runner and he's not a home run threat, he's kind of a 'tweener. He's good, but I think the Birds need that home run threat type of back to compliment him. Someone who can challenge him for the starting spot. Dexter McCluster or Montario Hardesty would do nicely. It'd be nice to take return duties away from DeSean Jackson, he's too valuable to let get hurt returning a punt. At WR I like Eric Decker out of Minnesota. He's 6'3" and has great hands, he'd be a good asset in the red zone. With the beating Celek takes and Ingram coming off 2 knee surgeries, it'd be smart to draft a 3rd string TE who can run block a little. Pitta from BYU can block and catch and since you already have 2 TEs who are down field threats, he might be the best all-around pick at TE. I know we need a lot of help on D, and I'm not saying draft ALL these guys, but if 1 or 2 gets in the mix, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. Take the best player on your board with tie-breakers going to the defense.- I Think we NEED defence! We worked on McNabbs weapons(Now their Kolbs) for two years and really neglected our Defence, Now we NEED to give Sean McDerrmott some weapons.— SuperEagle1
Comment removed.- SuperEagle1, I think you need a dictionary, defense is spelled with an "s". cletisvandam, interesting take on Shady. We'll see if he gets caught from behind the next time he breaks through the defense. My beef with Shady is the tap dancing he does in the backfield when the hole is either slim or non existent. He needs to understand that not every play is going to go as planned, and no gain is better than trying to make something out of nothing and ultimately losing yards. That being said, it was his first year and I think he can be a special player.— The Reddgie
- Yea, these three positions appear pretty solid. We got that going for us.
- My little sister knows everything you wrote about and more..— sportsdead
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