NFL Draft 2011: 10 Targets for the Philadelphia Eagles in Rounds One and Two

The Eagles are at this point the best team in the NFC East. April's draft will give Andy Reid's gang a chance to bring more young talent to a roster that's already blooming at a rapid pace.

Michael Vick was just recently franchise-tagged, and he has a potent offense surrounding him with names like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin.

The Eagles may consider drafting an offensive lineman to improve Michael Vick's pocket performance even more, but they definitely have some issues on the defensive side of the ball. The team could use another every-down linebacker, and maybe an interior defensive lineman.

The secondary has been solid with Asante Samuel back there, but drafting an opposite wouldn't hurt either.

Philadelphia picks 23rd in the draft, but lets take a look at some possible draftees for the first couple rounds...

First Round: Gabe Carimi (Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carimi would obviously be a first-round selection.

He was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.

At 6'7", 327 pounds, Carimi is massive. He will allow the Eagles' outstanding offense to prosper, and due even more damage when Michael Vick roles to his left.

The Eagles' offense is based off of speed, and Carimi will open holes all day long for LeSean McCoy, who is electrifying whenever he touches the ball. Philadelphia's offensive line could use a little work, and Michael Vick was hit far too many times last season.

The line was especially exposed in the playoffs against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers, and Carimi will greatly help this team. It's a very safe pick.

First Round: Jimmy Smith (Cornerback, Colorado)

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Cody Green #17 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers slips past Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Fran

Football runs in the veins of Jimmy Smith's family, as four of his relatives played in college.

In his final two seasons at Colorado, he allowed 11 completed passes in man coverage. Smith is physical, and the fact that he is 6'2" and 205 pounds gives him a great advantage at the line of scrimmage. 

This star is the third-ranked cornerback in the 2011 draft by ESPN, but maybe he will slip to Philadelphia in the first round. The Giants also need cornerback help too.

Smith is phenomenal in every aspect of pass coverage, and the Eagles won't need to score as many points with him and Asante Samuel covering the corners in 2011.

First Round: Akeem Ayers (Outside Linebacker, UCLA)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Ayers was given a 92/100 rating from ESPN scouts, and he'll be a first-round selection for sure.

He was the captain of UCLA in 2010, and finished third in the Butkus Award voting. Ayers was also a second-team All-American.

At 6'4" and 255 pounds, Ayers is expected to play linebacker in the NFL after making 68 tackles as a defensive end his senior season. He ran a 4.8-second 40 yard dash at the combine, so he probably won't be used as a speed rusher.

The Eagle line-backing corps was hurt last season, so they can use an upgrade there. Ayers will make an immediate impact. He's a first-rounder.

First Round: Mike Pouncey (Offensive Guard, Florida)

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Mike will try to walk in his brother Maurkice's footsteps. 

Pouncey finished all four of his seasons at Florida, and he's polished, ready to claim a starting job right away. He was originally a top-64 projection, but Mike Pouncey has quickly shot up draft boards.

He's a big guy at 6'4", 310 pounds, and hopefully he'll get close with Michael Vick right away. Pouncey will be hard to resist when considering the success of his brother with the Steelers. 

Again, a first-round pick.

First Round: Anthony Castonzo (Offensive Tackle, Boston College)

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 06: Andre Callender #32 of the Boston College Eagles is congratulated by teammates Anthony Castonzo #74 and Ty Hall #78 after Callender scored touchdown in the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons on October 6, 20

He's the safety valve in case the Indianapolis Colts select Gabe Carimi directly before the Eagles can.

Castonzo will start immediately, and with some improving on his lateral abilities, he can be playing right tackle for the Eagles at some point.

There have been a lot of offensive linemen mentioned around the Eagles' first-round pick, but they need sure talent. He started as a freshman on the Boston College offensive line, so he has the experience on his side as well.

Castonzo is a towering 6'7", he will be a handful to handle for opposing defensive lines in the NFC East if the Eagles grab him at 23rd.

Second Round: Curtis Brown (Cornerback, Texas)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Curtis Brown #6 of Texas goes up for a pass during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Now, we have moved into the second round.

If the Eagles don't get Jimmy Smith, Curtis Brown would be a solid option. He didn't have huge numbers as a senior, but his athleticism and speed might be too hard to pass up.

As a sophomore, he started in a Texas secondary that was top-five in efficiency. Apparently, his speed and catching ability is advanced compared to other corners in the draft. He is 6', and 184 pounds. 

Texas has produced great NFL talent.

Second Round: Mason Foster (Outside Linebacker, Washington)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Linebacker Mason Foster #40 of the Washington Huskies follows the play during the game against the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

He is an amazing talent. For some reason or another, Foster is supposed to be a second-round pick.

He led the Pac-10 and finished second in the nation in tackles per game in 2010, with a 12.58/game average. That number is almost unheard of! 

Foster is only 6'2", which might be his knock, especially if he has to play in pass coverage. He has a great nose for the ball, and he was a first-team All-American.

This would be a steal for the the Eagles in the second round.

Second Round: Greg Jones (Inside Linebacker, Michigan State)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

He finished his career at Michigan State with a combined 464 tackles. Ridiculous.

Jones would again have to fall to Philadelphia, but he would fit nicely with this team. He has been criticized for his reckless style of play, but with some discipline from NFL coaches, the Eagles can use him nicely.

His potential is sky-high, as Jones finished 2009 with 153 tackles and nine sacks.

Nobody can forget that he comes from the Big Ten, where in 2010, offensive potency was not hard to come by.

Second Round: Cameron Heyward (Defensive End, Ohio State)

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

He used to be a projected first-round pick, but scouts are not happy with his inconsistency. 

The Eagles might have to trade up in the second round to grab him, but he can fit nicely on a defensive line where nothing is etched in stone except for Trent Cole's starting role.

Heyward showed some unbelievable flashes while at Ohio State, and some scouts suggest that he might eventually switch to defensive tackle because of his inability to generate pass rush.

Heyward would be a great pick up for Philadelphia in round two.

Second Round: Rodney Hudson (Guard, Florida State)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Rodney Hudson #62 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

He is definitely small for an offensive lineman, at only 291 pounds, but his upper-body technique is great. Hudson does a solid job keeping defenders in front of him somehow, even though he lacks the usual big arms.

Hudson started on the Florida State offensive line since 2007, and is a top-64 projection strictly because of his technique. He entered 2010 giving up only 1.5 sacks and committing one penalty in 34 career starts. 

He was also named the 2009 ACC top offensive lineman.