4/23: Eagles draft buzz
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
4/23: Eagles draft buzz
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Every day, from now until the draft, I'll round up the latest Eagles buzz on MTC. Here is today's installment.
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Let's start today with three Eagles draft thoughts:
1. I spent much of the weekend watching prospect video, and one player who stood out was Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks has been linked to the Eagles in many two-round mock drafts, and for good reason. He was constantly around the ball in the games I watched with 25 tackles (15 solo) against Stanford and USC. Kendricks' speed (he ran a 4.47 at the combine) shows up on the field.
He had 14 tackles for loss last year and 14.5 the year before. Kendricks also was very effective as a blitzer in 2010 with seven sacks. Speaking to the Daily News, NFL Network's Mike Mayock said some teams are looking at Kendricks at the WILL position, which would make sense for the Eagles, considering they traded for DeMeco Ryans to play the middle. If the Birds don't end up with Boston College LB Luke Kuechly in the first, I could definitely see them taking a shot on Kendricks in the second. He could compete for a starting job right away and provide depth in the middle. The main question with Kendricks is his size (5-11 1/8, 239), but that didn't hold him back en route to becoming the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Good players come in different shapes and sizes.
2. Another name to keep in mind on Day 2 is Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. In last year's Outback Bowl against Michigan State, Boykin made a tackle for a safety, returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown AND caught a 13-yard touchdown on offense. Hard to imagine impacting a game in more ways than that.
He could fill a couple needs for the Eagles: slot cornerback and return man. Joselio Hanson had an OK year in 2011, but I think that's a position which the Eagles could try to upgrade. NFL Films' Greg Cosell said Boykin (5-9, 182) is one of the two best slot corners in the draft. From what I saw, he played inside and outside and was an outstanding tackler. He shares the SEC record with four career kickoff returns for touchdowns and was a team captain last season.
3. Make sure you go to the blog front and check out my posts from the weekend. One guy I really like the more I watch is Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones. It's worth noting that NFL.com incorrectly had his weight listed at the time I wrote Friday's post. Here are how Jones' measurables stack up to Jason Pierre-Paul coming out of college:
| Chandler Jones | Jason Pierre-Paul | |
| Height | 6-5 | 6-5 |
| Weight | 266 | 270 |
| Arm Length | 35 1/2 | 34 3/4 |
I'm not saying Jones will be as good as Pierre-Paul, but many have called him undersized. I don't see it that way.
Jones missed the first part of last season due to injury, but in the final seven games, he had 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He's athletic, plays with great energy, is constantly around the quarterback and finishes plays. Based on the games I've watched, it's tough to figure how a team would prefer North Carolina's Quinton Coples over Jones.
Defensive end is not a huge need area for the Eagles, but Jones could fit the "best player available" mantra. He's versatile enough to get on the field as a rookie and could eventually move into a starting role, likely at left defensive end. By the way, one more fun fact: His brother is UFC fighter Jon "Bones" Jones.
MORE DRAFT LINKS
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles going with LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers in the first round:
Despite finishing a disappointing 8-8 a year ago, the Eagles enter the 2012 draft with as stocked a roster -- on paper -- as there is in the league. Head coach Andy Reid has long been a proponent of building through the lines. Brockers offers intriguing upside and a potential starting option should Mike Patterson's recovery from brain surgery not go as smoothly as hoped.
OurLads.com also thinks Brockers will be the pick:
Brockers will help get push up the middle to force the ball to the edges. Started 14 games in his career. In 2011 had 9.5 tackles for loss.
The Eagles have representatives meeting with Houston linebacker Sammy Brown in Texas today, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com. Brown (6-2, 243) is expected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. He had 13.5 sacks last season and led the nation with 30 tackles for loss.
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Thanks Sheil. I'll just go ahead and read between the lines. Eagles select linebacker Sammy Brown with their first pick in the second round. Howie Roseman later says that the entire Eagles war room was "absolutely shocked that this kid was still on the board"— dragoon6- DE is not as big of a need...DT, OLB, and S are bigger and two of those positions are real deep...
Barron should be the 1st rd pick no question...likely they'll go DT instead...— ruthlezzone - Im not even sure dt is a need i think its more of a value thing picking 15 n all.good starters n solid rotational guys at dt.i would love to get fletcher cox though but if hes gone take a db or lb then maybe a dt in the second still or thompson. — Sean s.
- Kuechly, Barron, Cox, Couples, in that order then in round 2. grab Kendricks, Jones, Best avail DT. based on what we got with our #1.
No trading up or down please.
Sheil make em listen.
Also I would still take Vontaze Burfict with a 3rd or 4th rounder.— dmanphilly - Amazing to me that people get mad at their own hypothetical situations.— Sean s.
- I cant decide what i want more burfict to the eagles or aids.— Sean s.
- Eagles should just flip a coin for all the good it will do. Look at all the first round defensive players Reid has chosen. Not a very good record.— farley
- Burfict. He will be available in the 5th round too so its a bargain. But I know I will be pissed after this draft when they dont even take him with a late round pick and instead get a small Tight end that cant block and has a blown out ACL, or Moise Fouku. Those picks really do wonders for the team.— CharlieGarner25
- CG you and I agree on this wone. I would even go 4th rounder maybe even third.
Put the Kid on Special Teams and see if Ryans can look after the young trouble man.— dmanphilly 
Comment removed.- I agree with ruthlezzone - same order. Plus, i would really like them to saty at 15 and keep their 2nd rounders. If they can land 3 solid picks (no projects and espeically no QBs un the 1st 3 picks), maybe the blind squirrel, Howie Roseman, finds a nut or two.
At this point, the Eagles gotta get their act together. Another bad draft and the Eagles Brain Trust will need to be replaced. No more excuses and/or its time for 100% accountability from J. Laurie.
— Lerze777 - I go with Burfict late. Sit him for a year and teach him to curb & channel his aggressiveness, and not to hit players in Iggles Green.— rad205
- The real needs are linebacker and safety and they are few and far between in this draft - like one deep. Just take the best player on the board at #15 - even if it is an OL like David DeCastro.— Bama
- interesting insight into the run game these days in the NFL and its value. Although, it doesnt cover 2 back teams and avg yards per carry.
http://www.cnnsi.com/2012/writers/peter_king/04/22/mmqb/1.html— peteike - If the Eagles want to trade up, Miami seems like a logical partner to me. Exchange 1st rd picks and give up 51st (and possibly a 6th rd pick). Tannehill will still be there at 15 for Mia. At 8, Kuechly, Barron and Cox should all be available. I'd personally take Kuechly and then grab Worthy or Still at 46. This seems like a no-brainer. Am I missing something?— Represent
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