It's a Wrap: Eagles Complete Their Draft
The 2012 NFL draft is in the books and the Eagles added nine players. They went for defense early and offense late. Here's a look at the total picture.
It's a Wrap: Eagles Complete Their Draft
Les Bowen
The Eagles wrapped up two days of drafting Saturday evening with nine new players that move us much closer to an idea of what the 2012 team will look like.
The first three picks and four of the first five went for defense. That wasn't a surprise; the only major problem with the offense last season was turnovers, and you can't draft an interception eraser. The only personnel issue was at left tackle, where the Eagles got ex-Bill Demetress Bell to plug in for Jason Peters when Peters tore his Achilles', and there was no better solution available there in a weak o-line draft. The defense, meanwhile, needed an inside difference-maker up front, an upgrade at linebacker, and at least a prospect at corner. It could have used a stud safety, as well, but that wasn't possible in this draft.
As we all said going in, the biggest strength of this draft was defensive tackle, and the Eagles' signature move was climbing three spots to draft Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox 12th overall. In the second round, the Eagles added Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks and Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, two players they seem to think can contribute right away. If Kendricks is what the Eagles hope he is, look for more blitzing.
When it was all over, in a NovaCare hallway, I asked Eagles coach Andy Reid what he thought this draft would be remembered for, by Eagles fans.
"Probably defense," he said. "And 2 or 3 years down the road, I hope people will be saying, 'that was a GOOD draft.' "
It was hard to quarrel with any of the early picks, even if Kendricks is a little short at 5-11 for the SAM role Reid envisions. The developmental quarterback (Arizona's Nick Foles) in the fourth round was probably inevitable, given that Michael Vick turns 32 soon. After that, the Birds got what might be their draft-day steal, corner Brandon Boykin from Georgia, also in the fourth round. Reid made it clear Saturday that Boykin will have to play his way out of the kick return job, and will get every opportunity to oust Joselio Hanson from the slot. Boykin might also return punts; Reid said special teams coordinator Bobby April rated him the top combo returner in the draft.
With veteran DeMeco Ryans and Kendricks, the Eagles feel they've significantly upgraded their linebacking corps.
"You put on the (Cal) tape, this guy jumped out at you," Reid said.
Reid agreed with a questioner who posited that this might be his fastest defense.
Purdue offensive tackle Dennis Kelly began a run of four Eagles offensive picks in the final two rounds. Kelly has the Howard Mudd seal of approval as an athletic OT, Reid said, despite being 6-8, 321. The only other OL draftee was guard Brandon Washington from Miami in the sixth. The Eagles also seem to have high hopes for 6-3 wideout Marvin McNutt, from Iowa, taken in the sixth round. Reid pointed out that the Birds had a scouting report from Iowa corner Greg Castillo, son of defensive coordinator Juan.
Reid lauded McNutt as a "strong guy that's smart, who has great hands." McNutt began his college career as a quarterback.
The Eagles finished their draft with an interesting gamble. Running back Bryce Brown has loads of talent, but he managed to leave both the Tennessee and Kansas State programs, and get involved in an investigation of improper benefits given Miami players by a booster, when Brown's brother played for Miami.
Reid said he and general manager Howie Roseman "talked a lot about this kid, and we spent a lot of time evaluating him. He's had kind of a wild ride here through college football since being the No. 1 running back coming out of high school into college."
Off-the-field adventures aside, Reid said "you're talking about a kid who is an inch under six feet and is 220 pounds, who runs a 4.4 40. You're talking tremendous, tremendous skill here. He catches the ball effortlessly and is a smooth, smooth runner. He has all the talent in the world, but it's just a matter of tying things down here."
After the draft, the Birds set about adding undrafted free agents. They haven't announced that group but it appearently includes Washington running back Chris Polk, who would have been at least a mid-round draftee if not for what has been described as a degenerative shoulder condition.
That 7th round RB they got is a bruiser and could be a nice compliment to McCoy if he can get his head on straight. If not, well then chalk this up to one of a billion 7th round picks to never make it. Low risk, high reward. McNutt looks like a nice possession receiver and could contribute sooner rather than later. Good draft, very pleased.— ESFjellin- Nice summary. The Kelly pick seems like a typical Eagles "we're smarter than everyone else" pick, but in Mudd we trust. Love the Bryce Brown gamble.— blaqjaq
- We also signed Chris Polk as a undrafted free agent! This is going to be a great season can't wait!!— bmv21
- Used the Asante pick for someone who will never make it out of Lehigh?....Nice— Luriesucks
- welcome to the life of a 7th round pick. what do you expect? — ESFjellin
- Being a Wisconsin Badger grad and fan, I have watched McNutt for 4 years---he has huge hands and will take over for Avant (my guess) as the go to guy on endzone fades. He is a very good possession receiver, reminds me of a slightly slower Mario Manningham. I love the pick. Also love Nick Foles, even though Mayock (closet Redskin lover) knocked him!!— BirdinParadise
- What a perfect draft and then we sign Polk! Perfection.....— fman727
- Boooooo! I want my championship Andy! I want my parade!— lonewolf 10
- And Cliff Harris...Even tho he had off the field credentials to his name, he's a aheck of a player.— bmv21
- i really do like this draft. wish they would have picked up burfict but oh well....janzen jackson should definitly be next to compete for a safety job— HDemetriou
- Great Draft "period" ,, got the best Tackle in the damn draft,, Best Defensive player in the "pac 10",, best defensive player in conference USA or TWA or somewhere, A kick/punt returner who could become a better slot coverer that Julio. Anything after that is just being greedy so stop it everyone and just admit it,, Fat boy and company NAILED IT.— phillyroni
- sign Burfit and Polk and will be ideal draft!
Bye Bye Copper with McNutt as our new tall WR
— connorjr - Interesting running back picks.— ej610
- As BAD as last season's moves were this year's off seson moves were just EXCELLENT. The Free-Agent signing period was one of the best in the NFL and the recently completed Draft filled many holes and added exceptional depth to the roster. The additions of the new Secondary Coach and Boykin plus the removal of Asante Samuel from our clubhouse improves the outlook for the overall defense 100%.— garcia7
- "sign Burfict"
What a maroon. You know he failed his pre-draft drug test, right?— p-diddy
