Thoughts on Cox and Day 2
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Thoughts on Cox and Day 2
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The only way the first round could have worked out better for the Eagles would have been if Fletcher Cox had dropped all the way to 15.
But Howie Roseman, Andy Reid and company deserve credit for targeting their top defensive tackle and making a play for him.
The Eagles gave up a fourth-round pick (114 overall) and a sixth-round pick (172 overall). The draft value chart is largely irrelevant with the new stipulations on rookie contracts (SI.com's Peter did a good job of explaining the difference in taking a top 11 player vs. a prospect from 12 to 32), but just for fun, here's a look at what the numbers would have looked like in previous years:
To move up from 15 to 12, the Eagles would have had to give up a value of 150. In this scenario, they only gave up a value of 88.6.
Earlier this month, I wrote about Cox after watching a few of his games from last year and said Jim Washburn would likely be "drooling" over his athleticism and versatility. Pretty much all the analysts last night (Mike Mayock, Mel Kiper, Jon Gruden, Greg Cosell) gave the Eagles' selection of Cox rave reviews.
The 6-4, 298 defensive tackle has been hailed as a great pass rusher, but he's going to help against the run also. Cox was third among SEC defensive linemen last year with 14.5 tackles for loss. In the games I watched, he was constantly in the backfield creating chaos.
The Eagles now have a talented group of interior linemen with Cox, Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson. We'll see what happens with injuries and other transactions, but Derek Landri and Antonio Dixon could be battling for a roster spot. As we've discussed before, four defensive tackles will rotate in an out throughout the course of a game. Here's a chart with percentage of defensive snaps played last year, courtesy of Pro Football Focus:
| Player | Pct. of Snaps |
| Mike Patterson | 66.3% |
| Cullen Jenkins | 61.6% |
| Derek Landri | 44.2% |
| Trevor Laws | 38.2% |
In other words, Cox will be able to contribute right away, whether he starts the game on the field or not.
LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY 2
The Eagles are scheduled to make three picks tonight: two in the second round (Nos. 46 and 51 overall) and one in the third round (No. 88 overall).
Several positions are in play: cornerback, linebacker, offensive line, running back and wide receiver. Some would throw quarterback in there too, although I don't think they're going to go that route (yes, I've been wrong before).
At cornerback, Janoris Jenkins is still on the board. Considered a first-round talent, he has off-the-field baggage and was kicked off of Florida's team before joining North Alabama last year. The Eagles hosted Jenkins for a visit, and Greg Cosell of NFL Films called him the best pure man corner in the draft. Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com says the Eagles like Jenkins a lot. The pick would come with risk, but high upside.
A player I really like is Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. He's someone that could push Joselio Hanson for the nickel position right away, having played the slot in college, and he could also be a return man.
Linebackers to watch as potential targets to play alongside DeMeco Ryans: Cal's Mychal Kendricks, Nebraska's Lavonte David and Utah State's Bobby Wagner.
Don't be surprised if the Eagles target a playmaker at an offensive skill position either. Oregon's LaMichael James, who has been compared to Darren Sproles, and could contribute on special teams right away, is still on the board. Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead could be an option to complement LeSean McCoy also.
At wide receiver, someone like Florida International's T.Y. Hilton, who had a pre-draft visit with the Birds, could fit the bill. He could provide speed in the slot and averaged over 30 yards per kickoff return last season.
And of course, never rule out offensive line. The Eagles need to build some depth there too. Georgia's Cordy Glenn is still on the board. So is Illinois' Jeff Allen, who the Eagles had in for a pre-draft visit.
Thanks to everyone who joined me last night. We'll be back live chatting Rounds 2 and 3 right here.
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SK, the Seattle and Giants reached but that leaves a few more options for the Eagles to choose from. Nice to see other teams doing that for a change. LB, CB and RB tonight IMO.— tpizza- Absolute best thing they could do is move up for Stephen Hill or Alshon Jeffrey, then target either Wagner or Nigel Bradham, that would give you a minimum of three players that would contribute right away next year.— mdb20
- Perfect scenario: David, Boykin, and James.— Penfold18
- Ideally, a CB / Kick Returner and a LB in those two picks. Fleener would be a nice Red Zone Target and we could use Celek as a FB when needed. If we get a RB, can Dion Lewis replace Chad Hall?— borntosuffer
- IMO there are too many RB's on the free agent market that would be better than using a second rd pick to find a back up for Shady, who led the league in snaps played. We need to bolster the D in the second rd (CB, OLB) or even find a big redzone WR like Jeffrey or Stephen Hill. I would like to see us get two of the following in the second rd Janoris Jenkins, Zach Brown, Michael Kendricks, Brandon Boykin, Bobby Wagner. I also would like to see us trade into the second giving us 3 second rd picks and go after Alson Jeffery or Stepehen Hill.— Iceberg23
- Sheil, in the third round watch out for Devon Wylie. He's another good slot receiver prospect who can be more explosive than Avant. He's also an excellent punt returner.— soulman386
- Gotta give the Eagles credit for making a move, with little cost to grab a blue chip player like COX. I didn't think they had it in them.
Hopefully they get a LB of size to play the strong side and/or be able to defend/cover the bigger TEs being used by more teams.
Anyway, they have walked the talk so far... to their credit— Lerze777 - @Penfold18, great objectivity on the blog, totally agree with the picks.
@Iceberg23, I don't see any of the receivers on the board after the picks you sugguest, agree with the picks though.— eagles-fan-in-texas - I don’t think we lacked talent last year, but leadership, especially on defense. I think D Ryans is going to make us much better. The LB’s we already have can get the job done under Ryans leadership. I really can see J Chaney blossoming under Ryans. I think we need to focus on a slot corner and a big receiver.— low1016
- Id love a top corner and WR also, big WR for red zone of course. Janoris is still there but will go early I think, some decent WR left as well. Id be ok with a lb also just not sure where they are slotted based on value at this point. I hope we dont reach for one, I was always fine with them waiting to take lbs, although not too late in the rounds.— peteike
- Defense! Defense! Defense! I just want more guys who like to hurt people and who can step in and play. I understand the need for some depth on offense, big WR, etc. Just don't reach, you can always fall back to affordable veterans like Plax and Cedric Benson if things don't fall together. Don't bother with a Kirk Cousins-type, there aren't any franchise QBs out there and frankly, probably none better than Edwards/Kafka that are worth using a pick on at this point
- Finding a slot corner wouldn't be such a big need if these safeties were any good.— p-diddy
- I live in Nebraska, so I've seen a lot of LaVonte David. The guy is a beast.— fgdavis
- you get me lavonte david and lamichael james. I could care less about 3rd round.— fman727
- LaMichael James will probably never be Darren Sproles, but if he's half as good, I'd rather have him in Philly than see our defense tackling air when he comes to town.— armchairGM
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