I have broken down where the Eagles are picking and how I would use their draft picks considering the needs I listed earlier.
However I do not believe that they will not use all 11 of their picks on prospects so be shocked if they trade around especially with the aforementioned Lito Sheppard ready to be moved – hopefully for Birds fans the team’s trades will not be with the hated Cowboys again. .
(1st – 19, 2nd – 49, 3rd – 80, 4th – 115, 4th – 131, 5th – 152, 6th – 184, 6th – 191, 6th – 200, 6th – 203, 7th – 230)
1st Round (19) – Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh, OT, 6-6, 340, 5.1
At a spot where all of the top receivers should be on the board, I expect a frenzy like none ever seen in my hometown. Unfortunately as I have been telling Birds fans on the radio for some time with Head Coach Andy Reid pulling the trigger expect a lineman. As someone, who may have been a “tad” bit tough on former Eagles draft classes, I can honestly say that I would be okay with the selection of an offensive tackle. Stalwart bookend tackles Jon Runyan and William Thomas have been stellar for years, but they aren't getting any younger. No it will not be popular, but the best value for the Eagles is to wait until the second round to grab a receiver – I also believe that there are very few receivers this year worth a number one pick. Otah (6'6, 340) reminds me a lot of Colts '07 rookie sensation Tony Ugoh coming out of college. The New Castle, Delaware native was an All-Big East Conference first-team selection starting twelve games at left offensive tackle while helping the offense average 141.4 yards rushing. Produced 101 knockdowns and committed only two penalties. He needs to work on his conditioning, but there is no doubt that he has the ability to be a solid pro. With O-line guru Juan Castille pushing him look for this big athletic player to push disappointing '06 pick Winston Justice and add depth to an area that Andy Reid always loves to build up.
2nd Round (49) – Early Doucet, LSU, WR, 6-0, 211, 4.54
By waiting until the second round or later to draft a wide receiver, the Eagles will get the expected value from this year’s receiver group. The receiver that I like for the Eagles system is Doucet. Whenever the National Champion LSU Tigers needed a big play this senior answered the call. Much like Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, Doucet makes plays that move the chains as shown by his 29 first-down catches and 21 receptions for 10 yards or longer including seven for more than 20 yards. Doucet has the size and strength while also having enough speed to get deep. At this year’s Senior Bowl, Doucet was by far the best receiver in practices attacking passes with his hands. Some teams may shy off Doucet due to an injury history including missing games in ’07 due to a groin injury. But despite the groin injury the former high school quarterback was a second team All-Southeastern Conference pick producing a team-high 57 receptions for 525 yards (9.2 avg) and five touchdowns. Another important characteristic that Doucet has is his ability to return kicks. We will have to wait and see if he can top his former teammate and last year's Chiefs sensation Dwayne Bowe (15 starts, 70 receptions for 995 yards and 5 TDs as a rookie in ’06) in terms of production, but he is definite upgrade to the Birds receiving corps.
3rd Round (80) – Duane Brown, Virginia Tech, OT, 6-5, 310, 4.9
The Eagles need more than one offensive lineman in the draft and I believe a nice Day 2 O-lineman will be Brown. After coming to Virginia Tech as a tight end, this athletic player converted to left tackle and was dominate. Some scouts I talked to love his long arms, good feet, and his ability to move (ran a very good sub-5.0 40). Though he is still raw and learning this potential bookend tackle has everything a coach is looking for in a top-flight O-lineman. He has a good punch coming off the ball, good footwork, and large wingspan. Was All-ACC in ’07 as a left tackle and second team All-ACC in ’06 as a RT.
4th Round (115) – Craig Steltz, LSU, SS, 6-1, 210, 4.59
The safety position on the Eagles needs a shot in the arm with Brian Dawkins getting older. Steltz is another leadership player from the National Champion LSU Tigers. A tough in the box Strong Safety, who has a nose for the ball. Took over for first round draft pick Laron Landry in 2007. Not the athlete that Landry is in coverage, but Steltz is a smart tough football player. As a senior in ’07, started all fourteen games for the Tigers producing a career-high 101 tackles (64 solos), 1 sack, 5 Tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Led the Tigers and finished third in the SEC with a career-high six interceptions.
4th Round (131) – Jermichael Finley, Texas, TE, 6-5, 250, 4.62
The Eagles have been active in the off-season at this position bringing Kris Wilson, but Finley is an intriguing player. The redshirt sophomore is raw, but he may be the best athlete among this year’s Tight Ends. The big athletic player had 45 receptions for 575 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. At this point in his career the 21-year old maybe a pass catcher only due to his fluid hands, but he is also a willing blocker. Since Finley probably needed another year, he is still learning the game but in a couple years from now he has the upside to be a field-stretching tight end in this class. Did have a great combine running in the 4.8 range, but recently ran a 4.62 at Texas’ Pro Day and I have been told he has put on 14 pounds of muscle moving from 236 to 250. Finished his brief college career with 76 catches for 947 yards receiving and 5 TDs.
5th Round (152) – Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta, DE/OLB, 6-3, 242, 4.62
With the Eagles looking for another pass rushing “fastball”, Johnson maybe the right player. The small school phenom reminds me a lot of former Eagles pass rusher Hugh Douglas coming out of college — HBCU Pass Rusher with people wondering if he can bring the same kind of heat into the NFL. The All – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) defensive player of the year is a disruptive force with great up field closing speed. An excellent athlete with quickness, strength, and power. Likes to hit and delivers a blow in a forceful manner. Though he may be a ‘tweener in some books look for Johnson to contribute first on special teams and in pass rushing situation. In 2007, Johnson in 11 games produced 112 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. The Division II player held his own nicely against the big boys in the East-West Shrine game and in the All-Star game's practices. Had 39.5 sacks in his college career.
6th Round (184) – Jacob Hester, LSU, FB, 5-11, 230, 4.63
Hester is a versatile high character running back that played halfback and fullback for the National Champion LSU Tigers. He led the Tigers in rushing with 1,103 yards on 225 carries (4.9 avg) with twelve touchdowns. He is the tough leadership type of player that the Eagles need to bring in. He can do it all out of the backfield (strong inside runner, go hands catching the ball, and a willing blocker). At the Senior Bowl he showed off his “can do” attitude and ability to play on special teams. Eagles’ fans will love his ability at the goal line where he will not stop until hitting pay dirt. During his impressive career at LSU the former captain had an impressive string of 310 consecutive rushing attempts without a fumble. Reminds me of St. Louis Rams combo back Brian Leonard.
6th Round (191) – Brian Witherspoon, CB/KR, Stillman College, 5-10 3/8, 178, 4.33
Everyone knows about Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie after the Senior Bowl, but there is another rising HBCU prospect in Witherspoon. Would be a much-needed addition as a nickel corner and return man for the Eagles. One of the fastest players in the ’07 draft is an accomplished sprinter (has run in the 10.3 range in the 100 meters), who was a preseason All-American by d2football.com. The SIAC player from Stillman — Not Cosby’s Hillman — announced his presence at Alabama’s Pro Day stealing the show from his SEC counterparts. The cover corner is credited with a 4.33 seconds forty, 40-inch vertical, 4.36 seconds in the short shuttle, and a cone drill of 6.86 seconds at Alabama. Witherspoon is a fluid athlete with good change of direction, but it is his speed everyone wants to harness (said to have posted a 4.16 in a workout according to an internet report). Should contribute right away on special teams and in the return game.
6th Round (200) – Joe Fields, FS, Syracuse, 6-0, 205, 4.49
Could be a great “find” for the Eagles as a combo safety and special teams contributor. When Fields entered Syracuse he was supposed to be the next Donovan McNabb at quarterback, but he developed into an NFL worthy free safety playing the position in his final three seasons (25 consecutive starts) for the Orange. The 2007 All-BIG EAST Second Teamer finished the season tied for sixth in The BIG EAST Conference with 97 tackles (53 solo), he also had four interceptions and one fumble recovery. Fields is a tough senior leadership type player, who will do anything the coach asks of him. Was the first true freshman quarterback since Todd Norley in 1982 to start the season opener in '04. Reminds me of former Houston Texans player and former Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord.
6th Round (203) – Dennis Dixon, Oregon, QB, 6-2, 185, 4.79
With the Eagles already having McNabb, Feeley, and Kolb on the roster, I thought this pick would be a good on to use on a developmental quarterback. There has been talk that Colt Brennan is Andy Reid’s pick to be the developmental candidate, but I like the multi-faceted Dixon better. Dixon is a tough dual threat leadership type quarterback who reminds me of McNabb coming out of college. Seemed on his way to playing the National Championship game, the Heisman and possibly a high round draft grade when he tore the ACL in his left knee this past December. The Oregon Senior has attacked his rehab and in talking to his agent, he is ahead of schedule. Great athlete who also played baseball for the Atlanta Braves organization. In 2007, the All PAC 10 passer threw for 2,136 yards while completing 67.7% of his passes for 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also ran for 583 yards and nine touchdowns as well. He will need to bulk up his thin frame in the NFL.
7th Round (230) – Jayson Foster, Georgia Southern RB/WR/KR, 5-7 1/4, 173, 4.45
Despite his smallish size this mighty mite is explosive, elusive, and speedy. Foster had a rather eventual college career as three different coaches bounced him around playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returner. In 2007, college football’s ultimate utility man stepped under center producing 1,844 yards and passing for 1,203 as a senior, joining the rare 1,000 yards passing and rushing in the same season club. Scored twenty-four total touchdowns plus passed for six more while winning the 2007 Walter Payton award in the FCS Division of college football. The first-team All-Southern Conference player is one of few players in the nation who has run, thrown and caught touchdown passes and taken back both punts and kickoffs for touchdowns. He definitely will get a long look in his rookie season as a “Slash” type return man due to his versatility and the success in 2007 of Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland Browns). Had 50 catches for 661 yards and two touchdowns during his college career, which should help in his development as a receiver. Also is the holder on field goals/extra points and is great on trick plays. People I have talked to say he is a quick learner who should have no trouble digesting an NFL playbook. Was exceptional at his Pro Day lifting 225 pounds an amazing 11 times, running a reported 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard, producing a 37-inch vertical jump, and not dropping a pass or punt despite a tricky wind.
