There's no question that the Eagles need a safety.
The question staring Andy Reid and the Birds in the face is. Do you draft a safety with the 19th pick or do you utilize Lito Sheppard to get another second round pick and grab one in the second.round.
The guy listed as the best in the draft is Miami's Kenny Phillips. I played with his head coach Randy Shannon and Randy was one of the smarter defensive players I played with during my career. I know Randy taught this kid how to be smart on the defensive side of the ball.
I also heard this kid talk about being taught how to look at film by Ed Reed of the Ravens. He's got the physical tools, so I think he'll be a keeper.
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Reggie Smith of Oklahoma is rated second at the safety spot. He could provide additional help for whoever drafts him because he can play some corner as well as safety.
The ability to play some corner will help him tremendously in the NFL because mahy times NFL offensive coordinators try to get safeties isolated on a wide out. I could see him being a target for the Birds because he's also able to return punts.
I think Smith's ball skills are the best in this group of safeties.
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Thomas Decoud of California brings the heat as a tackler and also as a blocker if you check out the following video. He doesn't have the ball skills of Smith but he's one of those safeties that will knock your head off.
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Tyrell Johnson of Arkansas State is quite a special teams player which would be a plus.
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Next on the board is DaJuan Morgan of North Carolina State. He's got great quickness and reaction for a guy his size but I don't like all those ankle tackles.
He goes low all the time and that won't work in the NFL. He's got to learn to stay up and take a ball carrier on and drive him backwards.
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