Draft Day 2 options for the Eagles
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Draft Day 2 options for the Eagles
Jeff McLane
Fletcher Cox? Yeah, everyone seems to be happy the Eagles traded up to grab the Mississippi State defensive tackle. He’ll be introduced by the team today at 4 p.m. at the NovaCare Complex. But he’s yesterday’s news (for now) because the Eagles still have work left to do.
They have three picks on the second day of the draft – not one of which they had to part with to get Cox in an exchange with Seattle. The Eagles have the 14th pick in the second round (46th overall), the 19th (51st overall) in the second round and the 24th in the third round (88th overall).
So where are they most in need after the first round and where will they go? Will they take the best player at each spot or cater the pick – like they did last season in taking safety Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round – to their needs? Let’s take a quick look at who is still on the board at the positions the Eagles may be looking to upgrade:
CORNERBACK
Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama (5-10, 193)
Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt (5-11, 185)
Trumaine Johnson, Montana (6-2, 204)
Josh Robinson, Central Florida (5-10, 199)
Brandon Boykin, Georgia (5-9, 182)
Dwight Bently, Louisiana-Lafayette (5-10, 182)
Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina (6-0, 197)
Ron Brooks, LSU (5-10, 190)
Some thought the Eagles would go cornerback in the first round after the Asante Samuel trade. One thing about that: the Eagles knew Samuel wasn’t going to be back for some time, so his leaving wasn’t going to change their board. That being said, they could use another cornerback, particularly one that can step in and play the slot. Joselio Hanson’s best days are behind him, and with offenses increasingly going with three-wide receiver sets, the nickel corner plays as many snaps as any defensive lineman in the Eagles system. Jenkins has the most talent. He also has the most baggage. The buzz right now is that he’ll be off the board early in the second round. Of the next group that can play inside, Robinson is intriguing. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.33 seconds) of all the corners at the combine. If the Eagles were looking for someone long-term to replace either Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Nnamdi Asomugha on the outside, or if he was sitting there at No. 51, Johnson would be hard to pass. Boykin is tailor made for the slot.
TACKLE
Cordy Glenn, Georgia (6-5, 345)
Jonathan Martin, Stanford (6-5, 312)
Mike Adams, Ohio State (6-7, 323)
Bobby Massie, Mississippi (6-6, 316)
Jeff Allen, Illinois (6-4, 307)
Mitchell Schwartz, California (6-5, 318)
There were legitimate fears the Eagles might take a tackle in the first round. If Andy Reid wasn’t looking down the barrel, I bet he might have stayed at No. 15 and taken a tackle like Riley Reiff instead of Cox. That being said, I still think Day 2 is a good opportunity for the Eagles to get a tackle that they could groom over two seasons to replace either Jason Peters or Todd Herremans on the outside. Glenn was first-round worthy, many thought. He’s got Peters-like size, but some teams like him better as a guard. Martin would seem to be the kind of prospect Eagles o-line coach Howard Mudd would prefer. He’s aggressive, athletic and smart. He’ll probably be gone at 46, although the Eagles could certainly move up. Adams has been all over the place, in terms of mock drafts. Massie has the skills, but he needs coaching.
LINEBACKER
Mychal Kendricks, California (5-11, 239)
Lavonte David, Nebraska (6-1, 233)
Bobby Wagner, Utah State (6-0, 241)
Demario Davis, Arkansas State (6-2, 235)
Zach Brown, North Carolina (6-1, 244)
Sean Spence, Miami (5-11, 231)
Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma (6-1, 246)
I went out on a limb and said the Eagles wouldn’t draft a linebacker in the first three rounds. I’ll stick by that, but I’m a little nervous because No. 1, they traded away two of their third day picks to get Cox and No. 2 I could easily seem them taking a guy like Kendricks. He ran the fastest 40 -- a sub 4.5 – for any linebacker at the combine, and would be an ideal fit at weak-side. He’s not just some combine warrior, though. He produced at Cal. David would make sense, too, in the second round. He’s quick, too, and would be able to run with tight ends, but would probably struggle initially against the run. Wagner exploded at the Senior Bowl. He’s another weak-side candidate and could likely be got in the third round.
QUARTERBACK
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State (6-3, 214)
Brock Osweiler, Arizona State (6-7, 242)
Nick Foles, Arizona (6-5, 243)
Russell Wilson, Wisconsin (5-11, 204)
Do the Eagles need to get a quarterback today? No. Will they try and get one? I think so. That doesn’t mean it will happen. Cousins makes the most sense to me. He has the intangibles – he’s a leader, he’s heady, and he’s got that thing you want your quarterbacks to have. The problem: He isn’t an accurate deep thrower. That’s a pretty big problem. If you’re taking him in the second round, you better project him to be a starter. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time. Osweiler and Foles probably have greater upsides. But neither is polished and could take a few years to develop. Will Reid even be here in two years? As for Wilson, he’d be a first rounder if he had a few more inches. I stood next to him at the Senior Bowl and 5-11 is generous
WIDE RECEIVER
Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech (6-4, 215)
Rueben Randle, LSU (6-3, 210)
Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina (6-3, 216)
Brian Quick, Appalachian State (6-4, 220)
T.Y. Hilton, Florida International (5-10, 183)
Joe Adams, Arkansas (5-11, 179)
I was surprised Hill lasted through the first round. Instead of taking the Georgia Tech receiver the 49ers surprised some by selecting A.J. Jenkins instead. Hill is always a home run threat. He should go off the board fairly quickly today. Randle and Jeffery are big guys that could possibly play in the slot for the Eagles. Neither is especially quick, and the Eagles may be looking for someone faster than Jason Avant. Hilton could fill that role and he could possibly help in the return game.
SAFETY
Brandon Taylor, LSU (5-11, 209)
De’Quan Menzie, Alabama (5-11, 202)
Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207)
I get that safety is a concern, but I just don’t see the Eagles expending a second round pick on the position for the third straight year. Maybe if Taylor fell to them in the third round it would be something they would have to think about. Menzie played corner in college, but some scouts project him as a safety in the pros.
RUNNING BACK
Lamar Miller, Miami (5-11, 212)
LaMichael James, Oregon (5-8, 194)
Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati (5-10, 197)
Chris Polk, Washington (5-11, 215)
Bernard Pierce, Temple (6-0, 218)
The Eagles could go running back on the second day. They do need a backup and there are a few guys available that could be intriguing. I still think they wait until Saturday they get one, but I’m sure Reid and Howie Roseman have James and Pead relatively high on their boards. Both are multi-faceted backs that can assist any West Coast offense. They’ll have to learn how to block, though. Pierce doesn’t fit the Eagles’ needs.
DEFENSIVE END
Courtney Upshaw, Alabama (6-2, 272)
Andre Branch, Clemson (6-4, 259)
Vinny Curry, Marshall (6-3, 266)
Olivier Vernon, Miami (6-2, 261)
Tyrone Crawford, Boise State (6-4, 275)
Cam Johnson, Virginia (6-3, 268)
The Eagles can probably wait until Saturday to get a prospect to throw into their stew of defensive ends. But if Upshaw or Branch were to keep falling, or if Curry – who I know the Eagles have an eye for – was to be there at 46, it would be hard to pass on any of the three. Curry would probably be the best fit of the three for the wide-nine.
TIGHT END
Cody Fleener, Stanford (6-6, 247)
Dwayne Allen, Clemson (6-3, 255)
Orson Charles, Georgia (6-2, 251)
Michael Egnew, Missouri (6-5, 252)
Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6, 238)
Fleener fell into the second round and could go to the Colts right out of the shoot today. The Eagles aren’t in desperate need of a tight end. Celek still has plenty of gas and the team likes Clay Harbor. I think there’s room for improvement at the backup spot, but the Eagles have greater needs and the tight end class isn’t very strong this year.
Get complete coverage of the 2012 Eagles draft.
- Don't know Washburn but I agree that the comment was unnecessary,, what does his color have to do with anything?
I applaud you for making a statement that would cause a lot of flak from the racist in the crowd. I guess an opinion is only valid if it is "THEIR" OPINION. Again I think that the statement was misplaced in that it paints a different picture of "southern blacks" than that of their white counterparts. What is the difference ?— phillyroni - Gee, I dunno... what might have happened involving black folks in the south in the past? Maybe it would have affected their culture a bit?
- Washburn is racist just because he mentioned the kid was black? You are an intolerant savage, and I really wish these "report abuse" buttons worked. You should be banned from commenting on the internet again... ever.
- I think first if Stephen Hill is there we take him. If not we gotta go Lavonte David or Micheal Kendricks either would be nice. The second pick has to be Vinny Curry he will kill in the wide 9. Then move back in the late second or very early 3rd and take Brandon Boykins a nice slot DB and great punt returner. Two birds with one stone.— HonestJ
- @eldiablodelsol2009 how in the world do you come to that conclusion?? The man has spent time with him, worked with him, dined with him, talked with him and absolutely loves him. He's from the south and has mentored young black men his whole life, helped them grow and succeed. It's just stating a fact, not burning any crosses. Relax
- I know Jenkins is a trainwreck, but I want the Eagles to still draft him. Can't be any worse of a pick than say, Laws, Bryan Smith. Maybe they'll get lucky like they did with McCoy or DJax.— SilliBilli
- Jenkins, Zach Brown/Michael Kendricks in 2nd. Dont waste a second rdr on a back up rb when we can get guys that can start.— Iceberg23
- eldiablomoron --ever notice that a lot of NFL players appear to be blabk? and coaches and fans about one thing: winning... and that CNN must be anti-white since they attack a lot of whites? why don't losers like get away from your tv and computer, get a real job and face the real world— warbiscuit
- Because sitting at home on unemployment waiting for the next handout is easier. Good thing we didn't draft a white guy or Eldiablomoron would call for a Fox News/Roger Goodell/Unemployment Compensation Dept conspiracy. — Iceberg23
- I go defense, defense, and more defense. Defense wins championships and our defense cost us the playoffs last year. While Ryan and Cox will help we still need an upgrade at Safety and OLB; preferably someone physical who will hit and intimidate.— blackknight
- If the Eagles are serious about winning this year, they will draft a CB and LB....3rd round best available player...With the next two picks.....they could trade down if they can get another pick in the 3rd or early 4th round next year....n still get there man.... They should get CB T Johnson and LB Zach Brown or Ronnell Lewis....Jenkins is nice and I would pick him if he's avaiable...but don't move up to get him.— Rick SP 4 LIFE
- Pick Quick, didn't do to bad the last time the Birds picked a Quick.— Smooga
- Hill or Jenkins, if available. The Eagles should be opportunistic with either pick, and take the best player available regardless of need. I would not rule out Devon Still. Remember when the Eagles took Sheldon and Lito? Just sayin'.— beegal99
- Glenn is a stud and will be a great RT for Herremans long term or replace Peters short term.
Boykin is also the pick at 51... can return punts (2TD), kicks (4TD), reciever (1 TD) interception (9x) and rush (2 TD). Has also is an academic award winner.
Osweiler in the third.
Burfect in the 4th. Kid is going to have a huge chip on his shoulder.— axeman11
