2009 Philadelphia Eagles Draft: The Next Step To Acquire Tickets to the Dance

The NFL Draft will be an extremely important day for the 2009 Philadelphia Eagles. The team is relatively young and are looking to add the missing pieces to another series of Super Bowl runs.

This is a round-by-round synopsis of whom I think the Eagles would be best served by drafting and why. I know that I don't share common ideas with Eagle fans regarding the draft, so please bare with me! Just give it a shot.

Round No. 2 (Selection No. 53) Shawn Nelson, TE - University of Southern Mississippi

Shawn Nelson will be a WEAPON for Donovan McNabb. He can get down the field, and he makes plays like a WR. Nelson has great speed and a nice set of hands.

Some scouts have questioned his blocking at the next level, but nobody can question his WILLINGNESS to work in the trenches. Nelson will improve his blocking, and he will become a great all around TE.

At 6'5", 240, Nelson also has the ability to put some more weight onto his frame. The Eagles pick up a playmaker in the second round. The Eagles now have three athletic TE's that can even contribute on ST.

Round No. 5 (Selection No. 141) Bradley Fletcher, CB/S - University of Iowa

Philly only has room on the roster for five CB's and four S's.

If Fletcher can come in and win one of the CB spots, then Philly in essence will also be carrying five S's on the roster without cutting anyone.

Fletcher adds talent to the ST units, and his 6'0" height and 4.4 speed can even situationally be used to man up against big WR's.

The height will also give Jim Johnson just a little bit more coverage flexibility.

More importantly, drafting Fletcher will give Philly an insurance policy if Jack Ikegwuonu doesn't come back strong.

Also this will also be an insurance policy in case Dimitri Patterson or Rashad Baker don't pick up Jim Johnson's scheme. Fletcher is very talented and could be a steal in Round Five.

Round No. 5 (Selection No. 153) Kory Sheets, RB - University of Purdue

Correll Buckhalter needs to replaced, and Brian Westbrook's career is winding down as well. Buck was a slasher, and I believe Philly just needs to replace his skillset with someone comparible for now.

Enter...Kory Sheets. Sheets is a pass catching RB that should be able to come in and fill the role that Buck had with the Eagles.

Sheets is also a "one cut and go" RB that brings 4.4 speed to the table. He's a fluid pass catcher, and his downhill style will help him in Philly's scheme.

He's not flashy, but he's a great athlete and he gets upfield incredibly fast. He's not known for finishing tough runs, but luckily Sheets will only be utilized as a change of pace.

Purdue runs alot out of spread and shotgun. I think that will give Sheets a head start with learning the timing of the Eagle running game.

Leonard Weaver is an Eagle now. Kyle Eckel and Lorenzo Booker actually know the playbook now. There are now RBs for every situation in Philly.

I truly believe Westbrook will be able to hang on for at least one more season, and the Eagles will be able to draft their future primary tailback next season on Day One.

Round No. 5 (Selection No. 157) Clinton McDonald, DL - University of Memphis

Just as Bradley Fletcher could give the secondary more flexibility, Clinton McDonald does the same thing for the DL.

Aside from the number and the build, Clinton McDonald reminds of a Hugh Douglas that can play all four DL spots.

McDonald plays with an incredible motor. He plays with exceptional functional strength, and he'll push Klecko and Gordon for the final DT spot.

McDonald is a pass rush threat from the inside, and he also has the ability to stop the run at DE if Abiamiri goes down.

McDonald is a smart pick. He's a 36 rep guy. There aren't very many teams that have a DT that strong who can still run a 4.8

I liked Amon Gordon's interview on philadelphiaeagles.com. Gordon has done a good job of sneaking onto teams in the past.

I just think Gordon's luck may run out this time. Same with Klecko. Luckily, they won't be too far away. There are spots for both of them on the practice squad in case someone goes down.

Clinton McDonald will take their spot at DT, and Jim Johnson will be pleased with this acquisition.

Round No. 5 (Selection No. 159) Dallas Reynolds, C - Brigham Young University

Are you surprised Eagle fans? You shouldn't be. Andy Reid is probably chomping at the bit to draft Reynolds from his alma mater.

Dallas Reynolds lost weight for his BYU pro day, but he usually plays at about 6'5" 325. That's the right size for a C in Reid's scheme.

Reynolds won't wow anyone with his talent or athleticism, but he's smart and he's also a technician.

I actually don't like the pick, but I'm actually pretty sure that Eagles WILL take this guy. To make matters worse, Reynolds only starts because my cousin Sete Aula'i graduated.

He would be on the pine at BYU if my cuz was there still. Oh wait. He will. Only this time it'll be Eagle pine...but...that's only if he makes the team.

I will admit...I don't mind giving him a CHANCE to prove himself, and I'm sure Reid will be very excited to give a big BYU guy a shot.

Round No. 6 (Selection No. 194) Brad Jones, LB - University of Colorado

The LB position is pretty stacked right now.

Gocong, Daniels, & Smith can all play strongside. Jordan, Gaither, and White are battling for the weakside spot. Bradley and Mays are ready to go in the middle.

Philly is just bringing in Jones to battle Tracy White for the last LB spot. Jones is a pretty flexible player that can line up in multiple spots, but will be battling primarily at weakside LB.

His high 4.4 to low 4.5 speed is an asset at the weakside, and he has the right frame to bulk up for middle backer.

Philly is just using this draft to improve their versatility so they will be much less effected by injuries.

Jones would also bring plenty of speed and tackling ability to the ST units.

He should be able to add some strength when he gets to the NFL. Brad Jones is a good pickup in the sixth round.

Round No. 6 (Selection No. 195) Louie Sakoda, K/P - University of Utah

Sakoda is an excellent kicker. He's also an excellent punter.

Philly doesn't have much room on the team, so their picks in the sixth and seventh rounds should be made on guys who are challenging for roster spots.

David Akers was inconsistent last season, and he needs another kicker brought in to light a fire under him.

Sav Rocca had a good season, but there's no sense in letting him rest on his laurels.

Once again, I believe versatility is key. I think Sakoda would be an excellent pickup for the Eagles.

Sakoda could challenge Akers and Rocca for their jobs this summer, and he could also try to win a roster spot doing kickoffs.

As you can see in the picture, he can even make tackles on superb KR's like Javier Arenas. Bring in Sakoda! Make sure Akers and Rocca stay awake!!

Round No. 7 (Selection No. 230) Quinten Lawrence, KR/PR - McNeese State University

Ted Daisher is back, and he needs to get off to a good start. Philly needs a guy to take pressure off of Demps and Jackson in the return game.

Quinten Lawrence has a tough task. There are probably only five or six WR spots on the roster. Reggie Brown seems to be the odd man out right now.

Lawrence has to prove that he can return well enough to be kept on the roster. He has WR potential, and is in a similar mold to Jerome Mathis.

Nobody wants to discount a good potential WR with good return skills, and maybe I live too close to Oakland, but it's hard for me to bypass the 4.3 speed.

Lawrence could become a practice squad member or cut, but he could also be a KR/PR and an eventual replacement for Kevin Curtis at WR.

Why not take a chance? Quinten Lawrence could develop into a weapon some day! And he's close to being Mr. Irrelevant!

Trade: Philadelphia sends selection No. 21 and No. 85 to Cincinnati for WR Chad Johnson

Philly needs a flamboyant player that makes the game exciting as well as unpredictable.

I hear from so many Eagle fans how bad everything is with the WR corps that I wonder if they just forget that this game is fun to watch.

Chad Johnson makes the game fun to watch. He won't destroy the Eagle locker room. Being in Philly will give his career LIFE, and he will take the opportunity to DESTROY defenses all over the league.

I'd like to see Chad's career wind down with my favorite team, and I think he has a chance to win a ring here.

Lastly, I think trading for Chad is a great way to help a young team to come together. What better way to do it than to have Ocho Cinco come in and show these young guys how to have FUN!

Trade: Philadelphia Sends Winston Justice and Reggie Brown to Cleveland for a Fifth and a Sixth Round Pick in 2010

I think Cleveland is in a situation where they need a WR BADLY. They could be losing Braylon Edwards.

Donte Stallworth's in trouble with the law. They traded Kellen Winslow away. David Patten's old. Steptoe has been decent, but Reggie Brown would be an upgrade.

Cleveland may get Crabtree, but it takes more than one WR too be solid. Cleveland's WR core wasn't very deep to begin with. I think they would be happy to have Reggie Brown.

Cleveland's OL could use some depth, too. They have "Pork Chop" Womack and Joe Thomas at OT. They have Isaac Sowells and Eric Steinback at OG.

Rex Hadnot is garbage. John St. Clair and Ryan Tucker are old. This team would be an ideal place for Justice to get some PT and attempt to replenish his career.

Philly would be replacing a sixth rounder that was sent to the Bills for Jason Peters and coming out ahead with a fifth rounder.

They would also be cutting loose two players that have basically overstayed their welcome and have been notorious for NOT contributing.

Brown and Justice are two talented players, but they never seemed to be able to put it all together with the Eagles.

Conclusion and Explanation

The RB situation doesn't appear to be solved at first glance. I just think people may be forgetting the importance of guys understanding the playbook.

Eckel, Booker, and Weaver will make alot of plays this season. Weaver won't have trouble adjusting. Eckel and Booker now know the plays and will be ready to make plays.

Sheets will be the new Buck, so the backfield should be set for THIS YEAR. I don't think the RB's will hinder Philly from a Super Bowl push.

Westbrook's replacement can wait another season. The RB class of 2010 will be MUCH BETTER than this year's.

I'm sure people are wondering why I didn't go for a "blocking TE." I have faith that Brent Celek will work to improve that side of his game. Last year was his first as a starter. These things can take a few games.

Shawn Nelson will put on a little more weight, improve his weight strength, and he'll become a good blocker as well.

I don't think there's a position on this team that doesn't have great starters. Philly also now has backups that can put in great minutes as well.

This team is skilled, versatile, and has enough quality reserves to be much less concerned with injuries.

Top to bottom, the O, the D, the ST, and even the practice squad are secure and ready to make a run at the Super Bowl for years to come.