Eagles vs. Packers: Nine Prospects the Eagles Must Target in the 2011 NFL Draft

And another one bites the dust.

The Phildelphia Eagles have been eliminated from the 2011 playoffs, ending a brilliant season that saw the rise of Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and others on a powerful offense.

As exciting as the Eagles offense has been, and will continue to be, their defense was a major weakness this season. Sean McDermott's defense has talent, especially at cornerback, but there are many holes to fill through the draft. Andy Reid, the Eagles head coach and decision maker, has a big task ahead of him this offseason.

Thanks to smart trading over the past year, the Eagles will have nine picks in the 2011 NFL Draft to restock a roster that is not far away from contending for a Super Bowl.

Step one, re-signing Michael Vick. Step two, the draft.

Brandon Burton, Cornerback, Utah

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver Dominique Sandifer #18 of the San Diego State Aztecs carries the ball against cornerback Brandon Burton #27 of the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Phot

Round 1

Ellis Hobbs, the team's number two corner, is a free agent after the season. The end of Round 1 one would be a smart place to find a future starter at cornerback, leaving Round 2 to fill the needs at guard and outside linebacker.

Reid tends to like aggressive corners who attack the ball. Brandon Burton of Utah fits the Eagles' scheme very well.

A junior who has already declared for the draft, Burton could see a massive rise in his draft stock as the Combine and Pro Days come and go.

Marcus Cannon, Offensive Guard, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

Round 2

Philadelphia is a team with few needs, assuming Michael Vick is back in 2011. Upgrading the talent along the offensive line would be the smart pick early on, but Andy Reid is known for identifying future needs and drafting to fill those needs before they hurt the team. With that strategy in mind, look for Philly to go guard early on.

Cannon, a left tackle in the Horned Frogs offense, projects very well to guard in the NFL. He is an experienced and productive run blocker, but in 2010 he has shown a knack for pass blocking, too. Cannon doesn't have the quickness to play left tackle, but he is strong enough to find a spot at guard or right tackle in the NFL.

Bruce Carter, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by Bruce Carter #54 and teammate Jared McAdoo #97 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Round 3

Ernie Sims is a free agent, but most expect him to re-sign in Philadelphia. Should he not, the Eagles are faced with a bigger hole on defense. No matter Sims' status in 2011, outside linebacker is a position where Philadelphia can add depth in the middle rounds.

The Eagles would love to get their hands on more speed for the defense. There is a good group of young linebackers here, but none stands out as a future star. Stewart Bradley can play inside or strong-side, but he has been injured the past two seasons. We do like Sims, but he must re-sign as a free agent first.

Carter has first-round talent, but a torn ACL has many doubting his ability to play until early next fall. No workouts this spring and a tough injury to rehab from will push Carter's stock down.

When healthy, Carter is dominant. Playing on a decimated UNC defense this fall he stood out play after play. This is a great find for Philadelphia in Round 3.

Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Tackle, Florida

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Frankie Hammond #85 celebrates with teammate Marcus Gilbert #76 of the Florida Gators after scoring a touchdown aganst the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31

Round 4 (from Washington)

Thanks to a trade of Donovan McNabb to the Redskins, this early pick in Round 4 comes from a division rival.

Offensive tackle has been a long-standing need for Philadelphia in the middle rounds, and one they have ignored. The Eagles not only need depth, but they could also look at upgrading the right tackle position.

Gilbert has the body type to play right tackle, but surprising quickness for a man his size. Playing in the Florida Gators' spread option scheme, Gilbert has been asked to move more than most tackles. We like his ability to play at right tackle, or even left tackle as a backup.

Pat Devlin, Quarterback, Delaware

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Pat Devlin #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hands off the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 25, 2008 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Round 4

With their original pick in the fourth round, Philadelphia can focus solely on depth.

Head coach Andy Reid comes from a West Coast/Mike Holmgren system where you always want two good quarterbacks on the roster. The Eagles have two currently in Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb, but it is unlikely both can return in 2011.

There are already reports within hours of the Eagles season ending that Kolb wants to be traded if Michael Vick is re-signed. The Eagles will face a big decision at quarterback once again this offseason.

Devlin is the perfect insurance policy. A good quarterback at the FCS level, he offers a ton of potential. Allowing Devlin to play and learn behind Vick/Kolb gives Reid a player to groom for the future, or trade away for higher draft picks down the road.

Kristofer O'Dowd, Center, Southern California

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 19: Center Kristofer O'Dowd #61 of the USC Trojans gets ready to hike the ball during the game against the Washington Huskies on September 19, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Trojans 16-13. (Photo

Round 5 (from San Diego)

The Chargers moved up in the 2010 NFL Draft to select nose tackle Cam Thomas. This is the pick Philadelphia received in return.

O'Dowd is a good prospect, but is not ready to play immediately in the NFL. He will need to add weight and muscle, but also learn to better read the defensive keys and make line calls.

Jamaal Jackson's season ended early with a torn triceps tendon. As he ages, the risk of injury does, too. Nick Cole played well in reserve, but he is a free agent and may parlay his starts this year into a starting job elsewhere in 2011.

Delone Carter, Running Back, Syracuse

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Delone Carter #3 of the Syracuse Orange runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Round 5

This pick should fall right around No. 115, depending on compensatory picks. In the last parts of Round 5 the Eagles can continue to look for depth and special teams additions.

LeSean McCoy enjoyed a great year in 2010. He will be the Eagles' featured back for years to come. To keep McCoy fresh, the Eagles would do well to add depth to the position late in the draft.

Carter is somewhat undersized and would not survive as a feature back, but in a limited and complementary role he will be great. During his time at Syracuse he has shown good hands and an ability to run between the tackles, despite his stature.

Joe Lefeged, Strong Safety, Rutgers

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 02: Brandon Bing #23 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights successfully blocks a punt from Troy Muenzer #35 of the Norfolk State Spartans at Rutgers Stadium on September 2, 2010 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The punt was recovered

Round 6

Quintin Mikell has been very good this year, but he will enter free agency and could command big money on the open market. Without Mikell, the Eagles could address strong safety as early as Round 1.

If Mikell returns, and by all accounts he will, this is a great spot to add depth. Lefeged is a tremendous special teams player, has shown good range in coverage and has some skills stopping the run.

He is purely a project player at this point, and being drafted in Round 6 he will have to fight for a roster spot, but we like Lefeged's potential.

Colby Whitlock, Defensive Tackle, Texas Tech

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 1: Colby Whitlock #93 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stands on the field during the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 1, 2008 at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Round 7

With their last pick in the draft the Eagles can take a shot on a player with good upside at a position that might not be a great need.

Whitlock is your traditional three-technique tackle. He is not huge by defensive tackle standards, but he is quick and can shoot the gaps between the offensive linemen.

This is a smart pick in many ways, but it is worth remembering many seventh-round choices never make the team.