Philadelphia Eagles: Grading the 2003 NFL Draft for the Team

The following seven slides will offer an analysis of the 2003 draft for the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as an overall draft grade on the final slide.

For players who have spent time with the Eagles and another NFL team, I've included two grades—one grading them on their performance with the Eagles, and the second grading their overall NFL performance.

To view the evaluations of the 2010 and 2009 and 2008 and 2007 and 2006 and 2005 and 2004 drafts, click here and here and here and here and here and here and here.

Jerome McDougle, Defensive End, Round 1 (15)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

BETHLEHEM, PA - JULY 31: Jevon Kearse #93 and Jerome McDougle #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles practice a blocking drill during training camp on July 31, 2004 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

In five seasons, Jerome McDougle recorded three sacks.

He missed eight games to injury in his rookie season. He was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2004 and missed the entire 2005 season with complications from a gunshot wound suffered in July. He missed all of 2007 with a torn triceps and was released before the 2008 season. 

His biggest contribution was a nine-yard sack of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski in the fourth quarter of a close game. McDougle was flagged for a 15-yard intentional face mask penalty. He then kicked the flag, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. The Eagles lost the game 23-21 on a 62-yard field goal, largely because of McDougle's actions. 

The pathetic part is that the Eagles actually traded up from the 30th pick to the 15th to select Jerome McDougle.

Grade: F-

LJ Smith, Tight End, Round 2 (61)

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PHILADELPHIA - JANUARY 23: Tight end L.J. Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles evades linebacker Chris Draft #54 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 23, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eag

LJ Smith dropped a touchdown in his first NFL game. That sums up his career in Philadelphia. 

Even though he had a few good seasons (2005, 2006), he is remembered for his not so good seasons (2007, 2008).

He caught 231 passes for 2,525 yards and 18 touchdowns in six seasons with the team. He also caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots.

But he should have developed into a Pro Bowler and a legitimate receiving weapon and he never did.

Grade: C+

Billy McMullen, Wide Receiver, Round 3 (95)

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Billy McMullen watches play against the Atlanta Falcons during a Monday Night Football game on ABC September 12, 2005 in Atlanta. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

In his best NFL game, Terrell Owens caught 20 passes for 283 yards and one touchdown.

In three seasons, third-round draft pick Billy McMullen caught 22 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown.

He went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2008. He was also on the practice squads of the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions. 

Eagles Grade: D-

NFL Grade: D

Jamaal Green, Defensive End, Round 4 (131)

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ST.LOUIS - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Marc Bulger #10 of the St. Louis Rams is sacked by Jamaal Green #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Jamaal Green played eight games with the 2004 Eagles and collected one sack, shown above. He has two career tackles.

He played one game for the Chicago Bears in 2005 and was with the Washington Redskins in 2007.

He became a Border Patrol agent after his professional football career.

Grade: F

Jeremy Bridges, Offensive Tackle, Round 6 (185)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 01: Offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges #73 of the Arizona Cardinals practices at Northern Arizona University Walkup Stadium on August 1, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Bridges never played for the Eagles. He spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

He played in 41 games (starting 28) for the Carolina Panthers in 2006, 2007 and 2008, at right guard and right tackle.

He has played in all 32 games for the Cardinals (starting 11) over the past two seasons.

Eagles Grade: F

NFL Grade: A-

Norman LeJeune, Defensive Back, Round 7 (244)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

BETHLEHEM, PA - JULY 30: Strong safety Norman LeJeune #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp on July 30, 2004 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

LeJeune never played for the Eagles. He played in seven games with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and 2006.

Throughout his career, he has been with the Eagles, the Tennessee Titans, the Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL, the New Orleans VooDoo in the Arena Football League, and the California Redwoods in the United Football League.

His career ended after the 2009 season.

Eagles Grade: F

NFL Grade: D- 

Overall Grade

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA -SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end LJ Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball past cornerback Renaldo Hill #22 of the Oakland Raiders during their game on September 25, 2005 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia.The E

Jerome McDougle is the fourth worst first round draft pick in Philadelphia Eagles history.

LJ Smith had a decent career but will always be remembered as a disappointment.

McMullen was a total bust, as was Green. Bridges has had a very productive career but unfortunately did nothing with the Eagles. And LeJeune never reached the NFL with the Eagles.

This was a brutal draft by the Eagles. They're lucky it didn't affect the team, as they went to the NFC championship game in 2003 and the Super Bowl the next year.

Grade: D-