Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Mock drafts: Who will the Eagles take?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here are some more mock drafts, plus some other links to pass along.
ESPN.com's Todd McShay is another one who has the Eagles taking Wisconsin offensive lineman Gabe Carimi:
Outside linebacker is a bigger need, but no available prospect fits the Eagles' scheme and is worth this pick. Carimi has versatility to play tackle or guard immediately and should develop into a very good starting tackle -- likely on the right side -- in the very near future.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Birds taking Carimi also:
Andy Reid always seems to draft big people. He can use another tough-guy offensive lineman. Carimi, the Outland Trophy winner, is a tackle, but he could also play guard.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com projects the Birds to take Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith:
The Eagles feature one of the league's best corners in Asante Samuel, but have struggled with consistency on the other side without journeyman Ellis Hobbs. Smith's frame and rare agility have earned comparisons from scouts to former Ravens' star Chris McAlister.
Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com has the Eagles going with Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod:
Andy Reid likes to use his first round picks to build up the offensive and defensive lines. Sherrod's mobility and pass protection ability are impressive.
SI.com's Don Banks says the Eagles' biggest offseason question is: Can they afford to keep Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick?
Financially? Yes. Strategically, probably not. The Eagles will franchise Vick if franchise tags are in play, waiting until a new CBA is in place to try to work out a long-term deal with No. 7. That's a $20 million one-year commitment, but it's the price Philly may have to pay to secure its starting quarterback for 2011. As for Kolb, he's on the books for just less than $1.4 million this year, so the Eagles could keep him if they don't like any of the trade offers they get. But they should get some solid bids, because there are so many QB-needy teams. Arizona, Minnesota, San Francisco and Tennessee make the most sense to come after Kolb, and someone might just be willing to part with a first-round pick.
Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com identifies what he thinks the Eagles need to be a contender:
A meshing of the new coaching staff. After a first-round playoff loss to Green Bay, Eagles brass made far more offseason staff changes than expected. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was axed and replaced by offensive line coach Juan Castillo, an extremely risky move considering the latter lacks prior experience in the position. Snagging well-respected defensive line coach Jim Washburn from Tennessee was a coup, but the Eagles also lost secondary coach Dick Jauron to a Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator position.
Adam Caplan of FoxSports.com has the Eagles 12th in his season-ending power rankings:
No team made a more stunning coaching move than to shift offensive line coach Juan Castillo from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator. At least the Eagles were able to pry veteran offensive line coach Howard Mudd out of his brief retirement. The Eagles, however, have issues on defense to address at several positions.
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Here are the 4 key URFA's the Eagles should sign and the money is there. The Eagles had the 5th lowest payroll last year in the NFL. Not in order of importance, Ryan Kalil C Panthers, Jackson's health questionable and McGlynn isn't good enough. Stephen Tulloch ILB Titans. one of the best 4-3 LB's in the NFL and Washburn might be able to convince him to come here. Tamba Hali DE/OLB Chiefs, he played in the 4-3 at Penn State and last year had 14 1/2 sacks. And finally, Jonnathan Joseph CB Bengals, very good shutdown corner. The OL can be addressed in the draft, OT and G. The Eagles also could use a good blocking TE and he would be Kyle Rudolph from ND. There are some very good CB's in this years draft so Reid needs to pick one here too!— The Marco Islander- tpizza - the Eagles absolutely need another WR, a pass happy team with only 4 is unheard of, all they need is one or two to get hurt.— Fat-Andy
- Not saying they don't need another but I can live with DJ, Mac, Avant, Coop and another. I just don't see that "other" as a high priorty and would be last on my list of needs. Chad Hall can go but the Sinorice Moss pick up may be under rated.
OG is #1 for me [Pouncey] and then the LBs and Secondary in any order. ROT depends on what Mudd thinks of Justice.— tpizza 
Hey Mayhem, we need a real strong safety before we need WR or RB. We need a big hitter with some speed that will disrupt in the middle. 1-5 I'll take in a heartbeat, but I want a killer strong safety. I hope Santa was listening.
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