Now that the Eagles have acquired the 37th pick of the draft, they must put together a package and move up to get a definite defensive starter and difference maker¬† in the first round of the upcoming draft.It’s going to mean putting a couple of picks together to move up to anywhere from 10-19,¬† so they can pick one of the top two defensive ends, cornerbacks or one of top two¬† safeties.
I’m talking about getting either Jason Pierre-Paul from University of South Florida or Derrick Morgan from Georgia Tech.¬†¬† They are the two defensive ends regarded as the best in this years draft.
Each of these guys has the size, speed and tenacity to be dominant pass rushers in the NFL.
They’re not just speed rushers or power rushers.¬† Both of them can outrun a tackle around the corner or overpower a tackle to get to the quarterback.
I could see them causing problems for offensive tackles by mixing up power rushes and speed rushes.¬† You’ve got to be a versatile pass rusher in order to be a consistent pass rusher.
I’m not as confident about the rest of the defensive ends being ready to play now and developing into dominant players.¬†¬† So I believe the Eagles must move up and get one of these guys or run the risk of picking another dud.
If they don’t get a defensive end then I think they could focus on the top two cornerbacks.¬† The two corners they should target are Joe Haden of Florida and Kyle Wilson of Boise State.
They’ll probably have the chance to get either Haden or Wilson.¬† Haden reinstated himself as the number one corner in the draft when he ran a 4.4 forty yard dash at Florida’s Pro Day.
He played like the number one corner, then after running poorly at the combine, he ran the forty yard dash like the number one corner.
Wilson is a complete corner,  who like Haden, will cover and tackle, so you can use him in different ways.
If they don’t focus on the corners, then the top two safeties would be just as good or better.
Eric Berry from Tennessee is a jewel and Earl Thomas from Texas is a step below him.¬† They’re both proven playmakers with the speed to run with the top receivers in the NFL.
Berry is the total package, but will likely be off the board before the 10th pick is made.¬† He’s bigger than Thomas and therefore considered a more capable tackler in open field.
After looking at footage of these guys I think Thomas is closer to him than some of the scouts have been giving him credit for.¬† I would be happy if the Birds get Thomas because he’s just as much of a playmaker as Berry.
Thomas has great ball instincts is always around the ball, plus he catches everything that touches his hands and you know how important turnovers are in the NFL.
The Birds will be sitting at number 24 on Thursday night April 22nd, seeing which of these players remains on the board and hopefully they will have done their homework and know which teams from 10-19 are interested in trading down.
If they get one of them I believe they’ll have another defensive starter and will have filled a hole in their defense.
Should the Birds get one of these four players, they can consider the first round a success.
G i’m cool with this logic but Andy Reid scares me this time of year. He might trade out of the first round or something like that.
I think if they don’t get to grab one of these guys then thay should trade out of the first.
Of course I still find Carlos Dunlap at 6’6 270 sort of intriguing at #24
They won’t pick a pass rusher in the 1st. They already traded for Tapp remember. I know Tapp isn’t the answer but in their minds they have gotten the DE they need. Of course, they could surprise us all and move up and get a DE. And the experts seem to think Nate Allen is a pretty good safety. My guess in they will pick either Iupati or Pouncey in the first and perhaps a sfatey in the 2nd.
If Pouncey is as good as advertised I have 0 problem getting a stud center at 24
I agree with Reidsucks (not that Reidsucks) but they won’t take a DE in the 1st. I’d love to see them trade up and take a safety or corner..both big needs. I also don’t think Pouncey will be there at 24..Pittsburgh will take him.
I See about 6-7 impact players on the defensive side of the ball that will probably all be gone by the
Eagles slection at #24
or so…
DT N Suh
DT G McCoy
S E Berry
DE D Morgan
ILB R McClain
DT D Williams
I think there are a lot of very good players in that 2nd Tier who will be availalbe from picks #20 thru
the 2nd Round
S E Thomas , T Mays , N Allen , M Burnett
DE/OLB B Graham , OLB S Kindle , OLB J Hughes (my choice)
DE J Pierre Paul, E Griffen,C Dunlap, C Wooten
DT J Odrick, T Cody, L Houston
CB’s K Wilson,K Jackson,D McCortney
The Eagles need to secure 2 players from this above group of Tier 2 players with the 2 of their selctions (#24,#37, & # 55 picks )
Then the need to address G/C with the other 2nd Rounder and they will updraged their roster and fill some glaring needs on Defense and add some quality depth along O/Line and start planning for
J Jackson replacement
Paulman, when are you going to replace Kiper and his hair on ESPN?
Don’t forget the obligatory Olineman from BYU…
I think we need a DT who can rush the passer even more than a DE, unless of course that new DE can give us 15 sacks. We get no push up the middle whatsoever and it doesn’t help. We do need a FS and another LB. I am not sold on Akeem Jordan and Fouku. I am hoping they will come to their senses and actually draft a couple of good LBs high in the draft. Plus we need a C/G as well. Please don’t talk about Nick Cole. He is a good backup and that is all he is. To trade up so high we will have to give up a 2nd rounder. I think there are too many holes on the defense to not take advantage of picking 3 players in the first 64.
Believe it or not RS,
I have more Hair than Kiper (but it’s curly)…
I think 2 trades are possible with the Eagles…
Trade QB M Vick and the Eagles 3rd Rd pick (#87 Overall) to Buffalo for their 2nd Rd pick (#41 Overall)
The other scenario I can see happening is Trading CB A Sammuel, and Eagles 2nd Rd Pick (#55 Overall) to the Oakland Raiders for CB Asamougah if the Eagles can get the Raiders to pay his
crazy Roster Bonus $$$
Should be interesting …(the Rams could also be in play for Vick and a Eagles Draft pick for their Safety Otwege if the feel that S Bradford is not the guy and go with SUH instead with the 1st pick..
Berry is a stud according to everyone in the world. The Eagles dont ever believe the hype on players the Eagles always think they can find a diamond in the rough. So theres no way they would ever trade up for someone of his caliber. The Birds are to smart for that arent they. They prove it every year never drafting proven players. Sorry never is a strong statement but you all should know what I mean. I hope they prove me wrong but I dont see it happening. They already are looking at a QB from Fordham come on Fordham.
I know what you mean. We have the diamond in the rough, undrafted FAs starting usch as Jamal Jackson, nick cole whoare average on their best days. There is a need for infusion of top flight talent.
@ReidSucks the main reason we don’t get a pass rush from the DT is because they’re designed to play a 2-gap run D primarily (sic). They look for the run first and then push thus not getting to the QB real fast. That’s more the D scheme than the DT ability personally. I’m sure if if the DCon took these dogs off the chains we’d see more of a push out of these guys, they’re just limited by the scheme is all.
Is anyone else a little disappointed that we didn’t consider Haynesworth? I know he’s sort of a wackjob…but he’s a beast. He would have been a definite upgrade.
I am gald the Eagles stayed far away for DT Haynesworth and Safety L Landry who is another
head-seeking missle on the back end of the defense who can’t cover and takes very poor angles in pursuing and tackling (sounds like T Mays)
HAynesworth a very good player when healthy and motivated which is about 20% of the Season and he is no where worth the $$$ that the fools in Washington signed him for last year…
He averages playing in about 8-10 a season the last 3-4 seasons.. Guy’s body is breaking down and not a very good lockerroom/teamate either from what you read and hear…
Paulman…Landry not any good? I thought about him being an upgrade also.
You did have to like Haynesworth a few years ago in TN..stepping on some Cowpukes OL head..totally lost it. Fisher had to get him off the field…always good to see a Dallas headstomping
Paulman the kid they should target is Kyle Wilson from Boise he is a game changer at the corner, I wouldn’t mind seeing Pouncey drafted at 24 either. It would be nice if they could turn those 11 picks into these two kids. Instant starters for years and in Wilson a true shut down corner who will hit you.
They need to package picks for better players. G is right. I don’t want to see them coming out of the draft with 7-8 players. I would rather have 3-4 impact players on Defense. Love the idea of Vick and a pick to move up, but they won’t because then they have no back-up QBs unless Bulger is coming for a visit.
I agree Jaxeagle,
I think the prorities for this team by postion is the followin
#1) CB – Need a top CB who can challenge to start by 2011 season
#2) DT – Think about Free-agent Dixon taking snaps from Patterson, Laws can’t get on the field
#3) Safety – Obvious need
#4) OLB/ILB – A Top ILB would allow Bradley to move outside
#5) OL – J Jackson has 1-2 more seasons at most, Lots of questions about Stacey Andrews
#6) QB – Start grooming Kolb’s back-up
#7) DE – With Cole,Tapp,Parker & Abriami a need but many more pressiing holes to fill on defense
#8) TE – What if Ingram can’t make it back or gets hurt again,whose is Celek’s back-up
Haynesworth would be a cancer to this team both on and off the field. Not the best locker room guy either from what I’ve heard. I’m glad the Eagles didn’t take the plunge.
@Paulman..I think you’re right..L. Landry look like what T. Mays will turn into later in his career which is why I hope the Eagles don’t waste a draft pick on him. I like the list however I’d move some things around for priority sake. Swap 2 and 3, Swap 7 and 5 and you got a deal! Still all good points each, as per usual…
A couple of Paulman’s crazy scenarios that could occur (and hope they do)
The Eagles have 8 selections with in the 1st 137 players..
To improve this defense immediately, how about this plan of action.
I am not sold on the Rams drafting S Bradford with their #1 Pick but they do need a QB..
Eagles trade QB M Vick, S Q Demps and 3rd Rd pick (#87 overall) to Rams for Safety Otewge and their 4th Rd pick (around the #100 pick)
The Eagles trade CB A Sammuel, and the 3rd Rd pick #70 overall to the Raiders for CB Asmougoah .
Now the Eagles would still have 7 picks #24/#37/#55/#100/#105/#121/#137 of the 1st 137 selections and would lose Vick,Sammuel and Demps but gain 2 All-Pro players in S Otwege and CB Asmougah
and then the Eagles with these 7 picks could concentrate on Drafting LB,DL,OL,CB & QB with these selections and since they would have solidified CB and S positions with stud players still in their primes who could step in and play right away in 2010, then the Eagles could use later rounds to get depth at CB/TE/WR/RB ‘s …
Paulman, I would move #5 higher than that because there’s very little chance J Jackson is back in time for opening day.
Without immediate improvement on defense, the QB situation is a moot point towards wether or not this team will make the playoffs. QB is always the sexy story but our defense is the true Achilles heel of this club right now.