Trade Up for Cox? That's One Possibility
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Trade Up for Cox? That's One Possibility
Les Bowen
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.
Comment removed.
This just posted by Mel Kiper:
Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs: OLB, SS, OT, DT, TE/FB, QB
Rd 1 (15) DT Fletcher Cox
Rd 2 (46) LB Zach Brown
Rd 2 (51) TE Dwayne Allen
Rd 3 (88) QB Kirk Cousins
Analysis: He's not quite as high on my board as he is on Todd McShay's, but Cox is the real deal. The Eagles can get to quarterbacks, but they were awful up the middle last year. Cox can be a big part of the solution. So will Brown, who provides the linebacker they need with proper value in Round 2, and suddenly, with Cox, Brown and the addition of DeMeco Ryans, I'm feeling a lot better about the interior of my defense if I'm Philly. Allen is the second-best TE in the draft and a great value here. The Eagles have hinted that they could look for a QB to develop, and Cousins makes a lot of sense. He has the chance to be a good starter in this league if he gets some seasoning. Coachable, and with underrated physical talent, I love the value late in the third. I did consider tackle options, but the addition of Demetress Bell obviously shifts that need down a notch.— dgreen14- There are too many good DTs in this draft to trade up, and you have too many needs to give away those 2nd or 3rd rounders you'd need to give up to move up. Bama is right...at least one of those DTs will be there at 15, and/or Barron and Kuechly. Sit tight.
I still wouldn't be shocked if Tannehill is still there at 7 that the Eagles move up and take him.— Only in Philly... - SeeSaw, you are a coward. A black man holds the most important position in our country. U must be mad bro. Go put a hood on your head, chicken!— SilliBilli
- Cox is a beast and by all accounts is a lock to make an impact at the next level. If that is the case, then its worth moving up rather than staying put but at what price. Would love if he fell but it doesnt seem like that will happen. Excited to see if they grab a QB in this draft, would like to see a project in Osweiler since everyone after the first 2 QBs is a big risk anyway. I could also see them spending way too much to move up for Tannehill since Reid loves mobility in his QBs but that is a stretch considering his job status.— peteike
- If you watch the Alabama game....Cox didn't do much...Devon Still made plays. If you really want to stop the run. You will get Devon. If the Eagles trade up, it should be for a corner. They need one BAD!— Rick SP 4 LIFE
Big Red is an idiot if he takes a defensive lineman in the draft, with such a big hole at virtually any of the LB spots. Yea a rotation is nice, but having an adequate LB, particularly in the middle when they play the wide nine, would be at least to me far more desirable. Coming back from an ACL is a TBD... and everybody else gets run over. Draft the best LB available - my (cheap) advise Red!!!- With regard to trading up for the linebacker, where is there evidence of linebackers taken in the first round turning out to be significant contributors? The Linebackers with the exception of Von Miller, who have become significant were all defensive ends who were converted to linebacker in the NFL.
By the rule, Linebackers are not worth top 1-15 picks in the draft. The NFL is a passing league. The difference makers all are defensive linemen who can get after the quarterback.
There is a need in the middle of the Eagles defense for a brut who commands double teams and is capable of collapsing the pocket. With the exception of Jenkins, the Eagles don't have quality defensive tackles and haven't since Jerome Brown.
— Dexter - Ever hear of Patrick Willis, Derrick Johnson, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews or Jerod Mayo? Just a few recent first rounders off the top of my head. Pretty sure all have been All-Pro too
- Cousins is not impressive at the least. He will never be a starter in the NFL, Kafka is as good or better as an option that what's left in the draft after luck and rg3, although Noles is intriguing.— Dexter
- Mike Patterson is the Eagles best Defensive Tackle, well before Jenkins arrival in Phila. Mike Patterson's career average is 2.2 Tackles a game. That's not getting the job done.
The Eagles using the wide 9, need more production from the Defensive Tackle position.— Dexter - I love how we all sit here and think we know something about the draft because we've watched Mel Kiper on ESPN a few times. I have no clue how any of these prospects will pan out. I'm hoping the Eagles hit on a few of their picks and get some studs/solid starters. I won't be one of the fools that pretends they know the answer to that question 10 minutes after the draft finishes. It takes 3 years to really evaluate a draft, so the better effort would be put into analyzing what happened in the 2009 draft (you know, the one that brought McCoy and Maclin). Just a thought.— Zaknafein
- He's a draft expert. I wonder if he can help me with my fantasy football league— Keeping it real 4u
- If the Eagles trade up, I think they'll have two or three guys in mind. Otherwise you have to go up to #7 to get Cox for sure. I can see them going to #11, and taking Kuechly or Cox, and settling for the best player available if those two are gone.— armchairGM
- why in hell would they move up for a DT when this draft is full of them. why don't they move up for Kuechly? just cause they got Ryans doesn't mean we're fine at LB. he is a stud. then go get a DT— brownrice
