NFL Draft 2011: What Would Eagles Draft Board Look Like?
This is obviously not the actual Eagles' draft board, but I am going to take a stab at what Andy Reid, Howie Roseman and the rest of the staff will be devising and revising now until the draft.
I included 30 players that will likely be on the draft board, even if there is little chance of selecting them (wide receiver), but I did not include quarterbacks.
The Eagles usually hold true to their draft board and select whoever is highest.
Here is what a possible Eagles draft board may look like:
30. CB/S Aaron Williams
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Cornerback is one of the Eagles greatest needs. It will be important to find a solid complement to Asante Samuel.
Williams is a physical corner, opposite of Samuel. He has great cover skills, even if his ball skills do not match up.
Williams could also play safety.
29. LB Bruce Carter
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Carter may be the best weakside linebacker prospect in this draft, even though he did not play most of last season.
He is a fluid athlete that can cover sideline to sideline, making him one of the better fits for the Eagles quick, aggressive defense.
Carter would have been a first round pick, had he played this season.
28. OT Gabe Carimi
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Carimi started the year off slow continually getting beat, but by season's end, was truly what we all expected out of him.
He is a dominant run blocker and could be switched to Right Tackle to replace Winston Justice protecting Micheal Vick's blindside.
Given his run-blocking prowess, size and strength, using him at right tackle makes sense.
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27. DT Corey Liuget
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Liuget is a quick, penetrating defensive tackle that makes plays.
He had a tremendous season with Illinois, recording 63 tackles and 5 sacks.
Liuget could be a nice fit across a defensive line desperately needing a strong push up the middle.
26. OG Mike Pouncey
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Pouncey is quick-footed and would be perfect in the Eagles passing style offense.
Pouncey protected for a running quarterback at Florida in Tim Tebow a couple of seasons ago, and could fit in protecting Michael Vick.
Right guard is the biggest need across the offensive line, and Pouncey would fill the need.
25. RB Mark Ingram
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Some team will get a starting capable running back with Mark Ingram, just not the Eagles.
With LeSean McCoy entrenched at starter, would the Eagles even consider Ingram, the tough-nosed kid from Alabama?
24. CB Brandon Harris
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Harris is a ball hawking cornerback with great coverage skills.
Harris is 5'10'', 192 pounds, and ran in the mid 4.4's at the Combine.
Unlike Asante Samuel, Harris is willing to sacrifice his body in run coverage and can press at the line if asked.
23. OG/OT Benjamin Ijalana
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Yea, I could not find an image of Ijalana, so I think this image will suffice.
Ijalana is a local offensive lineman out of Villanova who brings versatility. He can play both guard and tackle, and even a little center.
Ijalana could come in and start somewhere on the right side of the offensive line.
22. OT Anthony Castanzo
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Castanzo is a tall lineman at 6'7'', but is an athletic pass protector.
With a large wingspan, it is hard for defenders to get by him.
He could start at right tackle, even if his run blocking needs improvement.
21. DE Justin Houston
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Houston recorded 10 sacks and was up to 6'3'' 270 pounds at the Combine. He still ran a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash and notched a 36.5-inch vertical.
Houston could be the solution to an average pass rush, lacking an ideal complement to Trent Cole, especially with the recent news of Brandon Graham.
20. DE Adrian Clayborn
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If you look at Clayborn's junior tape, he shows top 5 potential.
He struggled more this season, but his talent and potential is still there. Clayborn could bring size to the defensive end position, as he stands at over 280 pounds.
He could play defensive tackle on third downs as well.
19. LB Akeem Ayers
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Ayers had a great senior campaign, recording 68 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. His overall playmaking skills are second to none in terms of linebackers in this year's draft.
The Eagles have lacked a linebacker like Ayers for a while. Ayers disappointed at the Combine, but he plays much faster than his 40 time.
18. CB Jimmy Smith
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Smith,at 6'2'' 205 pounds, ran in the 4.4's and has huge upside.
Smith's play earned him 2010 First Team All-Big 12 honors, as he recorded 68 tackles.
Though he did not intercept a pass all season, Smith was not targeted. He shut down the opponent's best wide receiver. Smith is a great run supporter, he is obviously big in size and is also great in press coverage.
17. DE/DT JJ Watt
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The Eagles defensive scheme just may not fit Watt's strengths. Watt would be an ideal defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Watt could possibly play defensive end in the 4-3, but as more of a run stuffing end.
The only reason Watt would be ranked a little lower on the draft board is because of the scheme difference.
16. DE/DT Cameron Jordan
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Some think the 287 pound Jordan is great fit in the 3-4 DE position, but I think he is capable of playing 4-3 end or tackle.
I just do not think he would fit the "wide-9" scheme Jim Washburn will be enforcing, where the ends play outside the parameters of the offensive line, using their pure speed to get to the quarterback.
Like Watt, Jordan falls on the board because of the scheme differences.
15. DE Aldon Smith
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Watch out Landry Jones!
Aldon Smith is a high potential player, who had an injury-plagued season. He is very similar to last year's Jason Pierre-Paul who found success with the Giants.
Smith got by on sheer athleticism, so his game will need to be refined as a pass rusher.
14. OT Nate Solder
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Solder is regarded by many as the top offensive tackle coming out of the draft and has monster size at 6'8", 315 pounds.
Personally, I think that drafting a young and talented offensive tackle is the Eagles' biggest priority. Jason Peters has been solid on the left side, but with Vick taking over the reins, Peters is no longer responsible for the blind side.
Unless he does something devastating leading up to the draft, Solder won't be there at the 23rd selection. If the Eagles want him, they'll have to go get him.
As a pass blocker, Solder excels and is a natural fit for the offense.
13. DE Ryan Kerrigan
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People call Kerrigan this year's Brandon Graham, and I can definitely see the comparison. Both have relentless motors and are a little undersized for the 4-3 end position.
The Eagles cannot count on Graham next year and need a pass rusher across Trent Cole.
12. DE Brooks Reed
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Reed is flying up draft boards and is being hailed as this year's Clay Matthews.
In fact, he had the fastest 10-yard split at combine, and only second all-time to Matthews.
Reed would fit as an edge rusher and has developed numerous pass rushing moves to be a solid complement to Cole.
11. DT Muhammad Wilkerson
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I tried uploading a picture of Wilkerson, but it was taking too long, so again, I think this picture will suffice.
Wilkerson was a standout at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, coming at 6'4'', 315 pounds while still running a 4.99 in the 40-yard dash. He bench-pressed 27 times and has 35 1/4'' arms. Wilkerson has been quickly rising up many draft boards.
In his junior season, the 21-year-old Wilkerson recorded 68 tackles (43 solo) and 10 sacks, an astounding number for a defensive tackle, even if it was against inferior competition.
Wilkerson is very athletic and is almost a perfect fit for the Eagles.
10. OT Tyron Smith
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Smith is regarded as the consensus number one tackle in the draft. He is a natural pass blocker and looked fluid on the right side at USC.
He could protect Vick's blindside and develop into one of the league's best tackles, especially with the best offensive line coach in football.
Smith looks to be a top 12 pick.
9. WR Julio Jones
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Jones is a physical specimen at 6'4''. He ran in the 4.3's at the Combine and can catch passes in tight windows.
Jones improved tremendously his junior season, showing why he was considered an elite wide receiving prospect.
The Eagles probably have Jones on their board, but even if he was available somehow at 23, I could not see the Eagles spending another pick on wide receiver.
8. CB Prince Amukamara
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If the Eagles miss out on Nnamdi Asomugha, they can trade up to draft Amukamara, who some call the next Asomugha.
He would be an elite shut down corner that would complement the ball hawk Asante Samuel.
While Patrick Peterson is considered the best corner in the draft, Amukamara is not far from him.
He was rarely targeted in college as well and could be a huge uplift for the secondary.
7. WR A.J. Green
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Many consider Green the best offensive player in the draft.
Green brings the physicality to the position, and people feel he could be in the same boat as a Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, etc. in a couple of years.
6. DE Robert Quinn
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Quinn could possibly be the best talent in the entire draft, so he could be a great complement at defensive end to Trent Cole.
If Quinn played last season, he would have likely been a top 3 pick, as his pass rushing speed and moves were second to none.
5. OLB/DE Von Miller
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The Eagles are never afraid at drafting undersized defensive ends, but could Miller really fit at defensive end here in Philly.
He could be a great strongside linebacker in a 4-3, but would it be smart to trade that high for a guy that has played in a 3-4 all of college and is best suited to play OLB in the 3-4?
4. DT Nick Fairley
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Fairley, at defensive tackle, was a gamechanger. Late in games, Fairley came up with huge tackles for losses or sacks, setting back the momentum.
He could fit in well here as an athletic defensive tackle.
Just turn on the Oregon National Championship game tape if you have any questions about his impact on the game.
3. DT Marcell Dareus
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Like Nick Fairley, Dareus possesses great feet and is "fast" for a man his size.
Dareus disrupts offensive game plans, and was continuously double teamed at Alabama.
He could be a great fit on the defensive line, and provide the Eagles with a dominating defensive tackle for the first time in many years.
2. DE DaQuan Bowers
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Bowers is 280 pounds but still fits as a 4-3 defensive end with his monster pass rushing moves.
Bowers recorded 15.5 sacks last season and was nearly unblockable in the ACC. He has injury concerns that have reportedly dropped him off of a few teams' draft boards, but Bowers would be a steal if he were to fall out of the top 5.
1. CB Patrick Peterson
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Peterson is the best player in the draft, and I would not be surprised if he was #1 on the Eagles draft board.
He possesses a unique blend of size, speed, and talent, and could be the best corner in the league by next year.
If Peterson falls out of the top 5, look for the Eagles to pay a ransom to try to acquire him
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