Trade Up for Cox? That's One Possibility
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Trade Up for Cox? That's One Possibility
Tony Pauline, a draft expert from SI.com and TFY Draft Insider, said yesterday that sources are telling him the Eagles would like to trade up into the top 10, from the 15th spot in the first round, to draft Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
My initial reaction is that this makes sense. Cox is touted as a difference-maker on the defensive line, and most recent draft projections have him gone by pick 15. We don't know that the Eagles covet him more than, say, LSU DT Michael Brockers, but if Cox is as dynamic as he is said to be, moving up for the bigger impact guy wouldn't shock anyone.
When reports started sifting out about the Eagles looking to move up, speculation centered on Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. I think there's a real possibility the Birds will look for a QB in the first few rounds, but they'd have to move up into the top 5 to really be sure of getting Tannehill, and I always thought that was unlikely. There's no way Tannehill is starting here this season. To get him, you'd have to expend a lot of resources, for something that would not help your 2012 team. If the Eagles DID do that, we'd know Andy Reid was staying, regardless of what happens this season. But I really don't think that issue is settled, and I think they want to address more urgent needs with their first-round pick.
So, Cox, which wouldn't require as big a move, makes sense, although one thing about all this talk makes me wonder -- I really doubt the Eagles are going around telling teams they'd like to trade up for Cox, or even letting that information filter out of NovaCare through back channels. That is not how they do things ... unless their target isn't really Cox.
Other possible targets? Looks like you'd have to move into the top 10 now for BC linebacker Luke Kuechly, which also would not be a bad idea. Yes, I know the Eagles acquired DeMeco Ryans. He is one guy, still trying to prove he has gotten everything back after Achilles' surgery. I can't imagine the Birds really think they are set at linebacker.
You'll recall that at the recent owners' meetings, Reid acknowledged he "goofed" in underestimating the need for top-notch LBs behind a wide-nine front. This draft might tell us whether he considers last year's approach to linebacking a "small-g" goof, or a GOOF! Moving up to draft Kuechly would be saying "Wow, we weren't even close to having what we needed to run this defense."
If the Eagles had a move-up target other than Cox or Kuechly, I'd be a little surprised. LSU* corner Morris Caliborne? Maybe, wouldn't rule it out, but there again, the 2012 starters at corner will be Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Claiborne would be another move more for the future than for now.
But let's not assume the Eagles are trading up, just because they've looked into it. The 15th overall spot isn't terrible. Whether to trade up might come down to how things start to fall on draft day, past the first few picks.
Another factor in moving up is Asante Samuel. Does he help you move up, or is his salary a complicating factor? I don't see anybody who isn't a contender wanting a 31-year-old corner. How many contenders are drafting in the top 10.
*Post originally said Alabama, because my brain malfunctioned. Thanks to commentors below for pointing out Claiborne is from LSU.
The Eagles have a track record of making non-sensical moves. Its scary to think they will continue with that trend. Plus, Reid has his own history of being too cute with his moves in trying to out-think everybody.
Maybe, this is the year they do the obvious, sit tight and take a run stopper or a quality LB, if not Kuch then Hightower, a LB who is big and quick enough to cover tight-ends. They currently don't have anyone on their squad that effectively fills that role.
That said, don't hold your breath that they will select a run stopper or LB, as all the informed pundits say is the right move. My money says they will duplicate their past and do something dumb.
— Lerze777- I knew they needed some heart...now this???— wvbillz
Comment removed.- Move up and grab Cox (lolz, this makes me laugh). Then spend a second rounder on Brandon Weeden. He can't be any worse of a second round pick than say, Trevor Laws. Barron is nice, but teams are going to reach for him and Eagles still have young (not sure if talented yet) safeties. Maybe they can trade ASamuel for a proven, veteran Safety?— SilliBilli
- Les, Claiborn went to LSU not Alabama.— montymiller
- Sheil - Claiborne WENT TO LSU not Alabama. & there's no way the Birds can get up high enough to get him anyway. He might go 3rd, but he wont be getting past Tampa @ 5.— thomaspfoolery
- I agree with Lerze777, the Eagles need to sit tight. Too many holes to fill for us to be trading away 2nd round picks to move up.— C-Note
- Lots of cagey "gamesmanship" on the part of all teams leading up to the draft. I agree, that this would be a lousy time for Reid et al, to "get cute" or try to "outsmart" the other teams with an "unconventional" pick.
If they move up PLEASE make it for either Kuechly or Cox. Please!— FishFryFrank - It doesn't matter who they draft. As long as Andy Reid and Mike Vick are with the Eagles, they will never win the Super Bowl.— ManU63
- If the Birds came away with Barron, or Cox and get Kirk Cousins later I would be FLYING high.— dudega
- Don't mind trading up as long as its for the right guy. Last time they should have taken Piere Paul instead of Graham. I know it's too early to call it a bad draft pick, but JPP has made an immediate impact and Graham is still a work in progress.— eaglesanch
- I went back and looked at some pre draft reports. Brandon Graham was rated higher than JPP by scouts. JPP had virtually no resume, just a physical specimen. Giants hit the lottery there no doubt. Also, hard to judge a guy who tears an ACL. Well into the 1st season, BG had better stats. Too early to call BG a bust, the injury was a heartbreaker. I'd love to see us get Barron or Keuchly.
- That is BS. Go look at the mock drafts, JPP was typically a half dozen spots ahead of Graham. JPP was characterized as having great size and athleticism. He was considered raw due to his limited FB experience, but had tons of upside. JPP's success in the NFL was no longshot. — Fire_Andy
- Stay put and draft best available DT, S, or LB please. We have a lot of needs and giving away picks is not a good move IMO. I like Worthy ..the DT from Michigan State who might be able to be had in 2nd (but would require moving up then). Love to get Barron in 1st and move up for Worthy in the second using our second and Asante trade.— connorjr
- Sit tight and maybe Cox falls to them because of scheme, being a one-gap player and the teams drafting ahead of them. Sit tight and maybe Barron or Kuechly falls. Who knows, too many smokescreens this time of year. Where I wouldn't mind them trading up (if no Luke) is into the early 2nd round for Lavonte David, widely regarded as the top outside LB in the draft (more physical than Zach Brown). Tell me you wouldn't be happy going into the season adding Demeco Ryans and two impact rookies into the starting D...
