2012 NFL Draft: What Derek Landri Re-Signing Means to Philadelphia Eagles' Draft

Coming into the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles' needs on defense were plentiful.  They were historically weak at linebacker in 2011, their safety play was in need of an upgrade, and the interior defensive line was at the risk of significant turnover, with Antonio Dixon a restricted free agent and Derek Landri and Trevor Laws unrestricted free agents.  

As of Monday morning, the only direct addressing of those needs was the re-signing of Dixon and the trade for DeMeco Ryans. 

The majority of draft pundits, to this point, have had Philadelphia selecting a defensive tackle in the first round.  The preferable target has been an athletic 4-3 defensive tackle with primary skills as a pass-rusher, something only Cullen Jenkins gives them on the current roster.  Fletcher Cox, Michael Brockers and Dontari Poe have all been mentioned as possible, or even ideal, selections since the Ryans trade eased the need for linebacking.

It was assumed in some quarters that Landri would not be back, as four solid weeks of free agency had passed without much legitimate negotiating.  So the projection of a first-round DT made a good amount of sense. 

Now, similarly, the somewhat surprising and certainly welcome re-signing of Landri has tempered the clamoring for an interior presence.  Though the Notre Dame grad only has eight career sacks in limited time on the field, his playing style profiles as someone who could make more of an impact in that category if given an extended opportunity. 

With Jenkins and Mike Patterson projected to start, and Dixon and Landri rotating in, the depth at the defensive line seems like a non-issue.

So what of the 15th overall pick?

Only two need-filling players on the defensive side other than interior lineman seem like they will be worthy of that first-round selection, and it is entirely possible that both Luke Kuechly and Mark Barron, the linebacker and safety from Boston College and Alabama, respectively, are off of the board by then.

If either is available, I would absolutely expect Andy Reid to pull the trigger.

Kuechly could thrive as a rotational linebacker.  His instincts and sure tackling would be welcome additions to the defense, and Ryans' presence would take a good amount of pressure off the rookie to perform (and lead) immediately.  That pick would be as solid, if not more so, than it would have before the Ryans trade.

Barron is as good a safety prospect as the league has seen since Eric Berry came out of Tennessee.  He can do it all and would be an immediate upgrade over Jaiquawn Jarrett and Kurt Coleman to start next to the improving Nate Allen.  Safeties like Barron—guys who make plays all over the field against the run and pass—are very hard to come by.

The only other options, really, are to select one of the defensive tackles mentioned anyway (Reid does love depth in the trenches), take another offensive playmaker—like touchdown machine Michael Floyd—or to trade down.

Its always a good idea to bring back productive football players, and at the end of the day that's what Derek Landri is.  The added flexibility is just a bonus.  The ability to aim a draft towards talent is how winning football teams are built, and Monday was a step in the right direction.