What they're saying: Draft grades, 2012 mocks
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
What they're saying: Draft grades, 2012 mocks
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I rounded up a bunch of Eagles draft grades on Sunday, but here are more that have been published this week:
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post gives the Eagles a B:
OL Danny Watkins looks like a future Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level and CB Curtis Marsh has as much upside at corner as any prospect in the draft. The Eagles also added some nice depth at running back in Dion Lewis and at linebacker with Brian Rolle, Greg Lloyd Jr. and Casey Matthews. However, I do think that it will be Rolle that ends up being the best of that linebacking bunch in Philly.
Bucky Brooks of SI.com gives the Eagles a C+:
The Eagles have a long track record of investing in their offensive and defensive lines early in the draft and that continued with the selection of Danny Watkins. He adds strength and toughness to their interior. Jaiquawn Jarrett and Curtis Marsh add athleticism to the secondary, but they might not be ready for immediate roles in Philly's sub-packages. Casey Matthews has a knack for getting it done, so the team might've identified a future starter with its fourth-round pick. The Eagles certainly addressed their needs, but they might not see an early return on their investment.
Kerry Byrne of SI.com and Cold Hard Football Facts gives the Eagles a B-:
What I liked: The tag-team combo of Jaiquawn Jarrett (second round) and Curtis Marsh (third round) in the secondary. Philly struggled badly at time in the defensive backfield, as evidenced by the 31 touchdown passes allowed. Only Houston and Dallas, two of the league's most incompetent defenses, surrendered more TD passes (33 each). So the Eagles needed help in the secondary and got it in Jarrett, a run-stopping safety, and Marsh, an athletic cover corner.
Evan Silva of NBCSports.com gives the Eagles a B:
When you have 11 draft picks, you typically come out looking pretty good. The Eagles did a thorough job from top to bottom, using their top 2-3 selections on day-one starters. Danny Watkins was the nastiest offensive lineman available, and Jaiquawn Jarrett is a ballhawk with tremendous physicality. Curtis Marsh certainly has starting-caliber upside. Casey Matthews is overrated because of his name, but could materialize as a two-down thumper at middle linebacker. The back end of the draft was used to address special teams. The only pick we didn't like was Dion Lewis.
I know the 2012 draft order has yet to be determined. And I know that there's still a ways to go before we figure out if/when the 2011 season is even played. But apparently, it's not too early for a 2012 mock draft. ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Eagles picking 24th and taking Oklahoma outside linebacker Travis Lewis:
Lewis is a quicker-than-fast weakside linebacker and one of the most productive in the nation the past two years. I'll be interested to see after studying film how much of that is due to the scheme and how much is due to his tools, but he does appear to have the closing burst to contribute in the NFL.
SI.com's Andrew Perloff has a mock draf out also. He's got the Eagles picking at No. 26 and selecting Florida State defensive end Brandon Jenkins:
An undersized but very productive pass rusher who seems to fit the Eagles' mold. Jenkins had 13.5 sacks in 2010.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com doesn't think the Eagles will be as good. He's got the Birds taking Virginia cornerback Chase Minnifield with the 18th pick:
The Eagles miss the playoffs and look to their defensive backfield in the 2012 draft. Minnifield, whose father, Frank, played nine seasons with the Browns in the 1980s-90s, is a 6-foot, 200-pound four-year starter out of Virginia. Look for him to have a big 2011.
You can follow Moving the Chains on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
They will get a play-maker with the top 10 pick for the Kolb trade.— LA Mike- How can the Eagles miss the playoffs with Vick, Shady, Maclin, Jackson, an improved offensive line and defense?— Leegles
- I wish someone could research all these "expert " comments over the past 5 years and see if anyone actually knew what they were talking about.— farley
- These guys are not experts. They are idiots. How can you say the Eagles are not going to the playoffs. Hopefully we sign Nnamdi Asomugha when free Agency Starts or trade Kolb for Patrick Peterson or Cromartie.— briandawkins20
- Where's the 2013 mock draft? I feel gypped.— Dave in Cincy
- My expert draft opinion is that Bucky makes the best call on this draft. Will not see an early return on these investments.— peteike
- The Eagles dropped the ball on Jimmy Smith..— Zeru
- You can't grade a draft until a couple years down the line. Getting 3 starters during any draft class is considered excellent.— AlonzoMoselyFBI
- 2012 Mock Drafts?!?
Really, why even PUBLISH this nonsense?? Sheesh.— CarpGuy - In the 2013 draft, Andy Reid will select a Bacon Cheeseburger w/ Fries with the 21st pick. He will immediately regret not trading back to pickup a Coke in the later rounds.— mccarte1
- farley. good point. Sheil? (c'mon, man! free idea for a great article)— raoool
- @Farley - If I ever end up back in academia- my first project will be logging and analyzing how terrible the mock drafts are. I want to be Mel Kiper when I grow up - always wrong, but since it's TV/internet, nobody cares.— mjb
- @Mccarte1--count it.— andrewfrombrooklyn
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
