2012 NFL Draft Grades: Marks for Philadelphia Eagles' Defensive Additions

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2012 NFL draft with one main priority: Find defensive help.

The Eagles did just that in the draft, as their first three picks were used on defensive players. Better yet, the three of them look like players who will be able to contribute right away in Philly's front seven, which was an underwhelming unit last year despite the high sack totals.

In all, the Eagles walked away from the draft with a total of four defensive players: a defensive tackle, a linebacker, a defensive end and a cornerback.

Here's how I grade the four selections.

DT Fletcher Cox (No. 12 overall)

The Eagles moved up a couple spots in the draft so they could take Fletcher Cox, and Eagles GM Howie Roseman explained why on Monday.

Via Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

"

Roseman: Cox was #Eagles top-rated DL.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 30, 2012"

So yeah, what we have here is a classic case of a team getting its man.

I'm not entirely convinced the Eagles really needed to move up in the draft to take Cox, but there's no denying he's a guy who will be able to help their defense. Philly's defensive line is primarily constructed to rush the passer, but Cox is a run-stuffer who can fit in right in the middle of the mayhem. All the runners who got through Philly's defensive line last year are going to have a much harder time doing so in 2012.

So I may not be crazy about the move up, but at least the Eagles picked the right player. 

Grade: B+

ILB Mychal Kendricks (No. 46 Overall)

I'm admittedly a little biased because I went to Cal, but I thought the Eagles scored one of the biggest steals of the second round with this pick.

The only real knock on Kendricks is that he's undersized, but he makes up for that with quick reactions and very good speed. He's a guy with a lot of range on the football field, and that range helps him do it all. He can get after running backs, drop back in coverage and rush the quarterback.

I assume DeMeco Ryans will start at middle linebacker for the Eagles, but Kendricks could very well start alongside him on the outside. If he's smart (big question there), Eagles DC Juan Castillo will get creative with Kendricks.

Linebacker was a big-time problem area for the Eagles last season. This season, it's going to be a strength, and Kendricks should get a big role to play.

Grade: A-

DE Vinny Curry (No. 59 Overall)

Before the draft, there was a small circle of draftniks that figured Vinny Curry would end up going in the first round.

Assuming the draftniks know anything (another big question), the Eagles should count themselves lucky they were able to get Curry in the second round.

Curry's not a slam-dunk addition for the Eagles the way Cox and Kendricks are, but he's a guy they'll definitely be able to use. Curry's forte is rushing the passer, and the simple truth is the Eagles are a team that really can't get enough pass-rushers.

Expect Curry to find his way into the defensive line rotation right away, making this yet another great pick by the Eagles.

Grade: B

CB Brandon Boykin (No. 123 Overall)

The Eagles traded Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons last week (see the Atlanta Journal-Constitution), so they needed to find a body for their secondary in the draft.

Brandon Boykin is similar to Samuel in that he's a smaller, faster cornerback who succeeds primarily because of his athleticism. He's not going to bully anybody at his size, but he has the potential to become an above-average ball hawk as he matures as a football player.

The Eagles will be able to use Boykin as a nickel corner if they so choose, but he also brings value on special teams. If the Eagles want, they can use him as a return man.

So not a bad pick by the Eagles. Even if Boykin never amounts to anything special, he'll at least be an athletic player whom the Eagles can use in multiple ways.

Grade: B 

Overall: A

Before you ask, I'm obviously not adding my four grades up and then averaging them out to arrive at this grade. 

No sir, I'm giving the Eagles an A because they added four defensive players they'll be able to use right off the bat, which is a hard thing to do in the draft. That the Eagles were able to do it is a testament to how deep this year's draft was, but it was also smart drafting.

The Eagles are going to be a dangerous team in 2012. Don't be surprised when they make good on the expectations they had entering the 2011 season.