2010 NFL Mock Draft: Philadelphia Eagles Pick Rutgers DB Devin McCourty

WOW!

That’s pretty much the best way to describe the recent actions undertaken by the Philadelphia Eagles. The front office really is cold when it comes to dealing with the roster.

Donovan McNabb, longtime Eagles quarterback and holder of all significant Eagle passing records, has been traded to the Washington Redskins, a division rival.

I sort of can understand why they would trade McNabb. He’s going to be 34 in November. They have a new young quarterback in Kevin Kolb with very young receivers in Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Brent Celek.

It was in a way expected when you think about it. The Eagles have been getting rid of the star players of the 2000s era of Eagles football and are trying to extend themselves into the 2010s.

Brian Dawkins, star safety and the heart and soul of the defense, is now a Denver Bronco. The Eagles just traded Sheldon Brown, a very good cornerback, and Chris Gocong, a solid linebacker, to the Browns.

They released Brian Westbrook, although it should be noted that Westbrook had suffered multiple concussions and really was an injury risk. Yet, he’s another one of the moves that indicate the course of the Eagles franchise.

They want to get younger. Westbrook is 31 in September, Brown turned 31 in March, Gocong is 27 in November and hasn’t played at a high enough level to really keep him in their minds.

Brian Dawkins was 35 when they refused to re-sign him, so they really don’t like the guys with chiseled figures and scars on their roster for long.

To trade McNabb to the Redskins, though—that puzzled me. The Redskins? They actually want to face McNabb twice a year?

They’ve got some stones, I can say that.

The Eagles do have Joselio Hanson at cornerback who can replace Sheldon Brown, but I’ve watched him since he’s faced my Dallas Cowboys three times, and I think the Eagles need to put a guy who has got more upside across from All-Pro Asante Samuel.

With Joe Haden and Kyle Wilson gone, I think the next best corner will be Rutgers' Devin McCourty.

McCourty is a cornerback who has amazing speed with a 4.48 forty time at the combine to go with 16 bench press reps and a 10'6" broad jump.

He had six interceptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns, two forced fumbles, and 231 tackles (146 solo, 85 assists) in his four-year career.

He's 5'11" and weighs 185 pounds, so he's a very solid player. The problem with him is that he wasn't a dominating player in college like Joe Haden.

The Eagles have great coaches, though, so if they grab McCourty, he'll be able to reach his full potential.