The Eagles are holding 12 draft picks. Use them, package them…one more month and we will finally get our answer. Do previous Andy Reid drafts make you confident heading into this year's draft? This fan isn't sure.
Reid certainly began his drafting with a bang by selecting Donovan McNabb with the 2nd overall pick in 1999. The new coach got his franchise QB. Unfortunately 1999 also had Reid selecting Barry Gardner in the 2nd round.
As an overall draft class I would argue that 2002 was Reid's finest year. Reid selected 3 future Pro Bowlers in Michael Lewis, Brian Westbrook, and Lito Sheppard. The draft class also included the always steady Sheldon Brown.
Right behind 2002 I have the the 2005 and 2007 draft classes. The 2007 draftees included 3 potential starters on this years' team in Victori Abiamiri, Stewart Bradley, and Brent Celek. Unfortunately the 2007 picks also included Tony Hunt and Kevin Kolb.
The 2005 class has 3 current starters in Todd Herremans, Trent Cole, and Mike Patterson. Throw in Reggie Brown and Sean Considine and the 2005 class had 5 players who at one time started for the Eagles. The bad of the 2005 draft was of the selection of Matt McCoy in Round 2.
With the good comes the not so good…like the 2001 draft class. The 1st round selection was Freddie Mitchell who became known more for his mouth than his play. The 2nd round selection was LB Quinton Caver from Arkansas. Carver's career with the Eagles lasted all of 15 games and he was nothing more than a special teams contributor.
In 2003 the Eagles missed on their 1st round selection of Jerome McDougle, but hit on their 2006 1st round selection of Brodrick Bunkley (unfortunately 2006 also saw the Eagles draft Winston Justice).
Our latest experience is the 2008 draft where the Eagles landed Jackson, Demps, and Laws. Each of these players contributed to the Eagles success last season. Jack Ikegwuonu, Bryan Smith, and Mike McGlynn have the potential to contribute in the upcoming years.
Individually I have McNabb, Westbrook, and Andrews (if his mental state is again OK) as the top 3 picks of the Reid era. Based on where they were drafted (1st or 2nd round) I have McDougle, Gardner, McCoy, and Caver as the biggest misses.
April 25 and 26 has this fan very nervous.
