Evaluating 1st-round picks under Reid
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Evaluating 1st-round picks under Reid
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Since Andy Reid has been in town, the Eagles have had 12 drafts and have made 10 first-round picks.
Today, let's take a break from looking ahead to this month's draft and look back at how the Eagles have fared with their first-round picks over the years.
Here's the list of selections:
| Year | Player | Position | School | Overall Pick |
| 1999 | Donovan McNabb | QB | Syracuse | 2 |
| 2000 | Corey Simon | DT | Florida State | 6 |
| 2001 | Freddie Mitchell | WR | UCLA | 25 |
| 2002 | Lito Sheppard | CB | Florida | 26 |
| 2003 | Jerome McDougle | DE | Miami | 15 |
| 2004 | Shawn Andrews | OL | Arkansas | 16 |
| 2005 | Mike Patterson | DT | USC | 31 |
| 2006 | Brodrick Bunkley | DT | Florida State | 14 |
| 2009 | Jeremy Maclin | WR | Missouri | 19 |
| 2010 | Brandon Graham | DE | Michigan |
13 |
Ten total picks: five defensive linemen (three DTs, two DEs); two wide receivers, one cornerback, one offensive lineman and one quarterback.
Here are some notes on how the picks break down:
** The Reid era started out with the McNabb pick. While McNabb never landed the ultimate prize here, there's no arguing that this selection was a winner, especially when you look at how things could have gone.
Five of the first 12 picks that year were quarterbacks: Tim Couch (1 to Cleveland); McNabb (2 to Philly); Akili Smith (3 to Cincinnati); Daunte Culpepper (11 to Minnesota); and Cade McNown (12 to Chicago).
McNabb had far and away the best career, becoming the franchise leader in wins, passing yards, passing touchdowns and a variety of other categories. He became the second Eagles quarterback to get to a Super Bowl and was the only QB from the '99 class to get there.
** The Eagles got Sheppard with the 26th pick in 2002. He started 61 games here and made a pair of Pro Bowls. Put him in the "good pick" category.
** While things ended badly with Simon, he still belongs in the "good pick" category too. He started all but two games in his five seasons with the Eagles and made the Pro Bowl in 2003. Those were really good Eagles teams; Simon was a starting defensive tackle from 2000-2004 as the Birds went 59-21, getting to the NFC championship three times and the Super Bowl once. He had 17 sacks in his first two seasons and 32 overall before the Eagles cut him following the 2004 season.
** Maclin's only played two seasons, but it looks like the Eagles were smart to move up and snatch him in 2009. As I explained back in February, Maclin's production stacks up favorably to his peers, and he's put together one of the more impressive starts for a wide receiver in Eagles franchise history.
** And then there are the busts. The two guys that stand out are Mitchell and McDougle. Mitchell had just 90 catches for 1,263 yards in four seasons (and has been annoying us ever since...).
Five picks after the Eagles took Mitchell, the Colts took Reggie Wayne, who's piled up 787 catches for 10,748 yards and 69 touchdowns over the years. Four other receivers were taken in the first round in 2001: David Terrell (8 to Chicago); Koren Robinson (9 to Seattle); Rod Gardner (15 to Washington); and Santana Moss (16 to the Jets). Of that group, only Moss went on to have a career worthy of a first-round pick.
** In his first two seasons, McDougle was active for 19 games (zero starts) and had two sacks. In the summer of 2005, he was shot and missed the entire season. When he returned in 2006, McDougle appeared in 14 games and had one sack. He was taken with the 15th overall pick in 2003, but never started a game. At the time, the Eagles were set at safety with Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis, but it's worth at least mentioning that the Steelers took Troy Polamalu one pick after the Eagles took McDougle.
** It's obviously too early to judge Graham, and the Eagles' other three first-round picks are a little more difficult to judge.
Let's start with the Andrews selection in 2004. Seven years later, mention Andrews' name to Eagles fans and you'll likely see steam begin to come out of their ears. But to label him a complete bust is unfair. Andrews started 47 of 48 games from 2005 to 2007 and made two Pro Bowls. When he was on the field, he was among the elite at his position. But as we know, the problem after '07 was that he could never stay healthy.
** And finally, the two guys that seem to always be paired together: Patterson and Bunkley. They were drafted to anchor the interior of the Eagles' line in consecutive years (2005 and 2006). Neither has been a bust, but neither has made a Pro Bowl.
Considering that Patterson wasn't selected until the 31st overall pick, he's had a good career here. Patterson's been durable, having never missed a game due to injury in the last six years. He started 77 games from 2006-2010. Patterson has shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, but has never quite gotten there. At this point, we probably know what he is - a good run-stuffer, who spends third downs and other passing downs on the sidelines.
** Like Patterson, Bunkley (who had nine sacks in his final year at Florida State), heads to the sidelines in pass-rushing situations. He battled through an elbow injury last season, but was ineffective and not nearly as productive as Antonio Dixon. In five NFL seasons, Bunkley has had some impressive stretches, but has not put it all together.
** So there you have it. Ten first-round picks in 12 seasons. Four Pro Bowlers (McNabb, Sheppard, Simon, Andrews); three starters (Patterson, Bunkley, Maclin); two busts (Mitchell, McDougle); and one unknown (Graham).
You'll notice that I didn't pay much attention to 2007 or 2008 here. Later this week, I'll revisit some of the trades that involved first-round picks.
And, in case you missed it over the weekend, I rounded up the latest mock drafts.
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Shawn Andrews was a bust. The was supposed to be a to 10 pick but his stock dropped because he struggled with his weight, was lazy, and possible drug use. Sure enough all of those things derailed his career in Philly. The Eagles draft guys who stock dropps right before the draft all the time, it never works out.— Bob from SW- I think Patterson and Bunkley are pretty good players. They do thier jobs, which is to stop the run. Theres not too many DTs that can rush the QB. If you have one than you are very very lucky.— FranMc73
- To be fair, it would be interswting to =evaluate other teams' drafts, it's a crapshoot. Still, not defending Andy and team, it's frustrating to see them follow the same patterns in drafting as well as play calling, year after year. You just know that it would be lightning in a bottle if they did get back to the Big Game.
But there is hope, Andy finally drafted some speedy, albeit small receivers, and a linebacker, although he turned out to be Stew Bradley.
still, there is hope!— Eephus - I have to agree 100% about Maclin. seems like the real deal!— Geno D
I think Maclin has turned out pretty well - definitely worth the pick - 124 catches, 1700-1800 yards and like 14 touchdowns. Actually, very similar to McCoy, who rocks, for the past two years.- Maclin is a good player, and I was telling the television set (the Eagles) to move up and get him after #16 was selected. But the Birds and I were wrong. He should have been a 2nd round pick. Great college player. I thought he would be DeSean Jackson, with size and better attitude.— armchairGM
- @Mass EagleFan we win a lot of games but the majority of games they win are made harder than necessary because of the lopsided passing to running play ratio. Reid's WCO philosophy is "feast or famine" meaning they either score too soon with a sixty yard bomb or it's three and out with the pass, pass, pass instead of a ball control strategy employing more running plays. This also gives the defense more opportunity to rest between series and thus, makes them more effective. Also a more balanced offense gradually wears down the opposing teams defense making them more susceptible to certain passing plays. Something like what other teams do to us.
And, I'm with you Mass EagleFan. I think the second rate in-house coordinators and assistants that Reid has an infuriating tendency to select weren't able to fully develop players and maximize usage of their talents which led to a lot of defensive failures and losses. I'm anxious to see how they fare with the new, more experienced, staff replacements. I'm willing to bet they'll be much better tho' perhaps not immediately but in the long run, player development will produce a defense that WINS games rather than loses them.— essell - Andy's drafting indicative of Super Bowl caliber teams.— Romus
- Why can't I see poster's names? Anyone?
I am also eager to see what Washburn can do with what we already have...Could "the busts" have been a difference in philosophy between the evaluators (Reid et al) and the D-Line coaches?? It sure seems that way with Babin for example; obviously the guy has talent, which Reid saw, but, the coordinators in place didn't/couldn't develop...I'm just sayin'— Mass EagleFan - Andy Reid rated third best coach by ESPN recently.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/27641/power-rankings-top-10-nfl-head-coaches
Despite his bone-headed review flags, inability to make half-time adjustments and inane clock management...I can't argue. We win a lot of games, and Reid is a big part of that. Can he win a Superbowl...remains to be seen. It took a Cowher and Shanahan a long time, and they're both pretty good. If we can draft well this year, be smart in free agency (defense defense defense) I think we'll be OK...
— Mass EagleFan 
Comment removed.- Ok, let's go over this again. Tom Modrak was the GM (real, in charge, not a figurehead) when McNabb and Simon were drafted. Andy got the head of football operations position after Modrak was forced out (following the Freddie Mitchell 2001 draft), so you have to look at the subsequent drafts for Reid's abilities. Take McNabb and Simon away, and the subsequent picks weren't very good.— mjc1
- Whoever scouts d-ends for the Eagles doesn't earn their paycheck.— quentin1978
- you can't McNabb, Shepard are not good picks they are great ones. I would even throw Simon, Andrews and Maclin very good Maclin is well on his way to great. Bunkley and patterson are good DT. On fredex and Mcdougle I agree busts.....
Lets also look at free agents signings, Vick, Runyan, Owens and Samuel has really paid off. Weaver shoulda coulda. Harrison may turn out to be big as well. Getting Akers was just luck. I would say Kearse, Sims, were misses. The free agents the eagle lost, Hugh Douglas, Trotter, Staley, McNabb, Simon didn't exactly step up their games in the following seasons.
drafting and free agents isn't the problem folks. playcalling and defensive adjustments, and penalties have hurt the team and kept them from going beyond great to champions.— willbert31 - Not to worry, the accounting office of Banner, Roseman and Reid are in charge now. Things can only get better with a brain trust like that at the helm.— hunglikeaton
- Father of the Year Andy Reid jumped the shark 5 years ago.— Dr. Michael
- Also in 2003 the Eagles picked LJ Smith in the 2nd round ahead of Jason Witten. Brutal.— shawnmac
- 1st round picks from 2003 to '06 ended up being being pretty crappy. Their recent defensive struggles are partly the result of these bad picks, as their D-line can't get any pressure and the rest of the unit suffers for it.— DixonBunz
- Andy has an eye for offense, I think he does an above average job in drafting on that side oif the ball. It's the devensive side of the ball where he is awful. For every one Trent Cole there are a handfull of McDougals, McCoy's and Consodines. Please keep him away from the defense in this draft.— yourdaddy!
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