Eagles Sitting In Great Position At Number Four

We’re just a couple of days away from the 2013 NFL Draft and there’s still no surety regarding which player is going to be the first pick in the draft.

It’s a given that Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs will select one of the offensive tackles Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher with their first pick, if they’re not able to trade down and get an extra early pick.  Even though the Chiefs have the first pick, it doesn’t seem like they’re getting much traction in trying to interest another team in moving up to the top spot.

New Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley’s defense requires a pass rushing outside linebacker, who can also drop into pass coverage when needed.  The Jags don’t have that player on the roster, but Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan, seems to fit the bill, so a lot of draft predictors penciled him in as their first pick.

Those predictions have changed because onlookers have noticed that the Jags haven’t signed left tackle, Eugene Monroe, to an extension beyond the 2013 season.   That’s big signal that maybe they’re interested in selecting Joeckel or Fisher, whichever one is left after the Chiefs make their pick.

Nobody really knows what the Oakland Raiders are going to do, but Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is likely to be their pick.  Floyd is widely regarded as the best defensive tackle in this draft, except for some that sing the praises of Utah defensive tackle Star Lotuleilei.   Floyd is regarded as a better athlete than Lotuleilei, therefore a better pass rusher and pass rushers are regarded as a precious commodity in the draft.

The Eagles are in the number four spot and they’re sitting in a great position.  I could see the Birds drafting Oklahoma offensive tackle Lance Johnson.  This would allow them to move Todd Herremans inside to guard and that would solidify the line with Johnson taking over at right tackle.

Oregon outside linebacker, Dion Jordan, because Chip Kelly knows him very well and he’s got a huge upside and would fit into the hybrid 4-3, 3-4 scheme which Billy Davis is planning on playing. He got the versatility that the Birds are looking for because he could rush the passer and also drop into coverage.

Utah defensive tackle Star Lotuleilei could also be the guy at number four because he’s also got versatility.  The big guy could play the nose tackle at times, as well as the three technique defensive tackle and the five technique defensive end.   Fletcher Cox has that same versatility, which allow the Eagles to play the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive alignments.  It would also let the Birds force offensive linemen around the NFL to block either Cox or Lotuleilei one-on-one on each play.  With that selection the Birds would right away have an awesome and intimidating defensive line.

I think they could move down to five, six or seven and still get Lotuleilei, so expect them to jump on an offer like that if they get it.

Teams who are desperate for an offensive tackle will be eager to move up to that number four spot in order to have a shot at Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, if Joeckel and Fisher are drafted in the first two or three picks.

The Detroit Lions at number five, the Arizona Cardinals at number seven and the San Diego Chargers at number eleven could all use one of the top young offensive tackles.

I think the Eagles would also love to get an extra pick from moving down, so they could use it to move up into a late first round pick to grab Florida State quarterback, E.J. Manuel, who was recruited by Chip Kelly out of high school.

The Birds are sure to grab one of the safeties in the second or third round.  I also expect to trade a player to two, Trent Cole or one of the other defensive ends for a sixth or seventh round pick.  The Birds have picks in each and every round all the way to the sixth round, so you and I know they’re eager to add some.