Breaking Down the Draft: Philadelphia Eagles

I've seen thousands of NFL mock drafts. I'm sure you have, too.

Breaking down each team's needs. Analyzing the system each team runs and how each prospect would fit said system. Crunching the numbers to analyze each team's salary situation.

These things aren't my style.

I do, however, know one team particularly well—the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before looking at the talent available and the positions needed in the draft, let's take a look at the offseason thus far.

The Eagles' last season showed a glaring weakness in deep coverage. Sheldon Brown was good, but not good enough to make up for the sudden weakness at Safety.

This void was filled with the signing of the All-Star cornerback Asante Samuel. The Eagles now have two top tier cornerbacks in Asante and Lito Shepherd.

The Eagles also made a quiet but very helpful move by acquiring defensive end Chris Clemons. If you do not know him, you will become acquainted with Mr. Clemons when your team faces the Eagles in 2008.

Now onto the draft.

With no glaring needs in the Eagles roster, predicting their moves in the draft is a daunting task.

Reid and the Eagles have not made it easy on mock drafters in the past. From his first draft in 1999 to last year's draft, Reid has been known for surprising draft picks that the fans, well, aren't too happy about immediately.

Ever since T.O. left for Dallas, there has been one eerily recurring fault in the Eagles' otherwise strong offense: wide receiver. 

Guys like Hank Baskett and Kevin Curtis are nice but not No. 1 wide receivers, and it doesn't look like Reggie Brown is meeting his expectations.

This draft, I look for the Eagles to fill this gap by drafting a great, athletic wide receiver. Limas Sweed of Texas, DeSean Jackson of Cal, and Devin Thomas of Michigan State are my guys to watch.

Sweed is a great receiver who, despite missing most of his senior season, is expected to be one of the top receivers taken in the 2008 draft.

He'll most likely be available when the Eagles pick, but I don't think he's the best fit for the Eagles' system.

DeSean Jackson is the speedy receiver of this bunch. He adds an extra element with his punt and kick-off returns. After witnessing a terrible display of "punt returning" against the Packers last season, I'll be the first to admit that the Eagles desperately need a punt returner.

While Jackson would provide a great, quick, and threatening punt returner, I don't think he is the way to go either, even though I certainly would not fight against it.

My pick for the Eagles 19th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft is Devin Thomas from Michigan State.

Thomas is a fantastic athlete who has come on strong in the postseason after a terrific college career. Thomas would fit the system in Philadelphia very well with his good size, speed, and tremendous athletic ability.

The Eagles will enter the draft armed with eight picks, and they aren't shy about trading for more. If I were at the helm of the Eagles organization, I may do just that—trade around for more picks and take the best player available.

It is nearly impossible to predict what the Eagles may do. The need for a few young offensive tackles is obvious.

B-Dawk isn't going to play until he's fifty—yes, Brian, that is a challenge. But I believe a premier wide receiver would aid the offense greatly.

They have enough picks to cover all the bases they feel need to be covered. 

While I may boo when they pick Joe Schmoe from Eastern Westfieldersville Junior College, in the end, I know I'll be content at worst.