Czarnecki Rates The Eagles Draft
Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki gives the Eagles overwhelming praise for their picks in the 2009 NFL draft. This is one post-draft report I look forward reading every year:
When rating this draft, start by remembering the Eagles used a first-round pick for Buffalo offensive tackle Jason Peters, who has Pro Bowl talent. Peters will team with ex-Bengal Stacy Andrews to give Donovan McNabb two new protectors on the outside. Then, the Eagles lucked into Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin, who was rated No. 1 at his position on 18 teams’ draft boards. Then in the second round, Pitt running back LeSean McCoy was another steal with 53rd overall pick. McCoy will give Brian Westbrook a breather this season.
Virginia Tech cornerback Victor Harris has only 4.6 speed, but he should be a core special-teams player. Harris did have 15 interceptions. You have to like the trade with New England in order to land cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who gives the Eagles some added depth in case they ever deal unhappy starter Sheldon Brown. Florida TE Cornelius Ingram could be a steal if his knee is OK. Grade: A
This season marks Czarnecki’s 30th year covering the NFL. He is one of 44 selectors to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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2 Comments so far ...
I like the picks, even though we're at least 2 years away from being able to really evaluate them. However, the Eagles did what they needed to do, which was to draft skill players, instead of loading up on linemen,
I've already said I wanted Pettigrew. But when a guy like Maclin is there at #19, you have to take him. I read on one of the draft websites that 18 GM had's Maclin as the top WR on their board. Big thanks to Oakland for their sheer stupidity.
McCoy was excellent value at #53, and he fills a glaring need. I was very surprised to see the Broncos pick Moreno at #12, especially considering all the RB's they have on their roster. But I can live with McCoy.
Ingram may turn out to be phenomenal value. Had he played his senior year, he's probably a 2nd-round pick. He doesn't block all that well, but that can be taught.
I like the trade for Hobbs, too. Now Sheldon Brown has even LESS leverage. Now, the Eagles can either wait to get appropriate value for Brown in a trade, make him play, or let him ride the bench. It's up to Brown and his agent at this point.
Comment on April 27, 2009 02:20 pmSo after the draft, the off-season looks like this:
Added: WR – Maclin; RB – McCoy; TE – Ingram; OT – Peters; CB – Hobbs; S – Baker; S – Jones; OT – Andrews; FB – Weaver
Lost: S – Dawkins; RB – Buckhalter; OT – Thomas; WR – Lewis; CB – Sheppard; S – Considine; TE – Smith
Maybe losing: OT – Runyan; CB – Brown; WR – Brown
Overall, I can't see how any Eagles fan can be unhappy with this off-season. Other than losing the intangibles that Dawkins brought, this roster has been upgraded significantly. The offense could be scary. They should also convert a lot more 3rd-and-shorts, which will keep the defense fresher in the 4th quarter, and they shouldn't have many late game meltdowns like they did in Arizona.
Comment on April 27, 2009 02:25 pm